Major Winter Storm Set To Blanket Carolinas This Weekend

Residents across the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia are bracing for a major winter storm set to make its mark this weekend, with weather officials and transportation agencies mobilizing in anticipation of significant snowfall and dangerous cold. The event, forecast to begin in earnest on Friday afternoon, January 30, 2026, and continue through Sunday, is shaping up to be one of the biggest snowfalls in recent memory for the region.

According to the WXII 12 First Warning Weather Team, a Winter Storm Warning has been issued for nearly the entire state of North Carolina, with the warning going into effect the afternoon of January 30 and continuing into Sunday, February 1. The team explained, "Some folks in North Carolina are going to get more snow than others from this storm. Eastern North Carolina, the I-95 corridor, and out toward the coastal plain could be one of those kind of sweet spots to get some of the more significant totals." They also noted, "It’s not a one size fits all forecast. Some folks in the state are going to get more than others, and pinpointing exactly who sees what has been really tricky with this storm, and we likely won’t know for certain until the totals have come in and the storm has exited."

The forecast calls for all snow—no sleet or freezing rain this time around—making for a rare event in the Carolinas. The WXII 12 meteorologists described the setup as a Miller-type storm track, similar to a nor’easter, with low pressure developing near the coast and racing up past New England. This configuration is generally more favorable for winter weather in the region, and as a result, all precipitation is expected to fall as snow, creating the potential for slick roads, gusty winds, and reduced visibility.

Snow is expected to start as early as Friday afternoon in the mountains and foothills, reaching the Piedmont Triad after dark and continuing through Saturday before finally tapering off Saturday night. The forecasted snowfall totals are impressive: mountains and the Piedmont Triad could see 4 to 6 inches, with isolated higher amounts possible, especially in the southern Piedmont and pockets of the mountains. Along the North Carolina beaches, double-digit totals are a possibility in some localized areas. The Foothills might see slightly less, but even there, the snow will be the dominant precipitation type.

Wind is another major concern. Gusts of 20 to 30 miles per hour or more are expected Saturday into Sunday, which could result in blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility. The combination of wind and cold will be particularly biting, with wind chills dropping into the single digits or even below zero in some spots. The WXII 12 team warned, "Wind chills could drop into the single digits or even below zero as we head Saturday and into Sunday, so we’ll start to see those impacts ramp up later today, north and west, and then overnight and into Saturday, they really start to spread out."

Travel is expected to become hazardous as the snow accumulates and temperatures plummet. The WXII 12 meteorologists stressed, "Slick travel, gusty winds, bitter cold—our main impacts here starting later today. Roads will become snow covered and slick, gusty winds as well, and those dangerous wind chill values." The National Weather Service and local authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the height of the storm, as conditions could deteriorate quickly and remain treacherous through the weekend.

In southeastern North Carolina, the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO), the regional transportation planning agency for the lower Cape Fear region, is coordinating with state and local officials to prepare for the incoming winter weather. N.C. Emergency Management Director Will Ray and NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson joined Governor Roy Cooper for a briefing at 1 p.m. on January 30, emphasizing the state’s readiness. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is mobilizing crews and equipment, preparing for the expected snowfall and the likelihood of icy roads. According to state officials, below-normal temperatures will persist for the rest of the week, with a reinforcing shot of cold air driving temperatures even lower into the weekend.

South of the border, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is also in full preparation mode. SCDOT Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell described the effort as "an all-hands-on-deck operation," with 3,000 employees gearing up for 24-hour operations before, during, and after the storm. Pre-treatment of roads began Thursday, January 29, and Powell emphasized the importance of keeping interstates and primary routes clear before shifting to secondary roads. "It's going to depend on what actually falls, but what we will do is we'll keep at it again, working our priority of the interstates, primary routes, then getting into the secondary systems from there," Powell told local media. He added, "We'll be ready to deal with it, our folks are experienced and prepared, but know that it's going to take a snowfall potentially in the multiple inches, 6-7 inches, it's going to take us a little bit of time to work through."

This weekend’s storm is markedly different from last week’s, which featured more freezing rain and left lingering icy patches on roadways. The focus this time is on snow, which, while easier to clear than ice, still presents significant challenges for southern states less accustomed to sustained winter weather. SCDOT officials are urging drivers to take precautions and, if possible, stay off the roads during the storm. For those who must travel, authorities recommend giving plenty of space to brine and plow trucks working to keep highways passable.

Adding a touch of normalcy amid the weather warnings, southeastern North Carolina is still planning for community events. A free public gathering is scheduled to feature more than 30 country booths, international dance performances—including Irish step and Chinese silk dance—international food, and face painting. Organizers, however, are keeping a close eye on the forecast, knowing that plans may need to be adjusted as the storm develops.

Weather experts caution that, as is often the case with winter storms in the South, there’s considerable uncertainty about exactly where the heaviest snow will fall. The WXII 12 team explained, "There are several factors that we are considering as we analyze weather prediction models and fine-tune the forecast through Friday. If dry slots of air enter the mid-levels over the Piedmont Triad, more patchy snow totals could develop with a wide variety of snowfall totals possible from one neighborhood to the next. The speed of the storm and position of the surface and mid-level lows will help determine where some areas of North Carolina pick up bigger snowfalls and others see a lot less."

For now, all eyes are on the skies as the Carolinas and Virginia prepare for a rare, all-snow winter storm. With agencies mobilized and communities on alert, residents are urged to stay informed, exercise caution, and be ready for whatever this unpredictable storm may bring.