Change in plans: Charlotte area could see more snow than expected, NWS says

Charlotte could see up to 2 inches of snow from a fast-moving storm expected to arrive in the area Friday night, although an inch is most likely across the region, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

The NWS forecast for Charlotte at 8 a.m. Friday had predicted up to 3 inches of snow.

Later in the morning, that prediction changed back to 1 to 2 inches, based on the newest and most precise weather modeling data, meteorologist Clay Chaney of the NWS officer in Greer, S.C., said.

On Thursday, the NWS had predicted less than an inch falling Friday night.

Expect rain through the Friday evening commute, with “a little bit of snow and sleet mixed in,” before falling temperatures are predicted to turn the mix into “accumulating snow,” according to an NWS weather advisory alert issued at 4 a.m.

The advisory includes Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus and Union counties and the South Carolina counties of York and Chester.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” NWS meteorologists advised in the bulletin.

Charlotte Department of Transportation crews placed brine on roads and will do so through Saturday, “if conditions warrant,” department officials said on Twitter Friday afternoon.

Snow could begin falling between 9 and 10 p.m. and continue until about 1 or 2 a.m. Saturday, Chaney said.

Charlotte airport flights

As of 8:45 p.m., at least 141 flights scheduled for Saturday have been canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.com. It wasn’t immediately clear how many are storm-related.

Some 82 flights have been canceled for Friday.

CLT airport officials advised travelers to check the status of their flights before driving to the airport.

More than 100 flights canceled at Charlotte airport ahead of third week of forecast snow

Cooper: Stay off roads

Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday urged North Carolinians to stay off roads during and after the storm.

“Today is the day to get the essentials you need, so you can stay off the roads tonight and Saturday if conditions are dangerous in your area,” Cooper said.

State emergency leaders remind people to pay close attention to their local forecast. Accumulating snow could lead to hazardous travel Friday night through midday Saturday.

Charlotte weather forecast

Charlotte has a 80% chance of the rain and snow, according to the NWS forecast at noon Friday. Overnight temperatures are predicted to drop to 26 degrees, while Charlotte could see wind gusts of up to 25 mph, the forecast shows.

The storm is expected to move quickly from the region overnight, with sunny to partly sunny skies expected Saturday through Tuesday.

Showers stand a 60% chance of returning Wednesday and Thursday, although the forecast low of 48 early Wednesday would be too high for another bout of snow. Snow forms when temperatures are at or below freezing — 32 degrees — according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Closures and delays

▪ Due to the storm, all Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Centers will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, county officials said Friday. That’s three hours later than their normal Saturday openings.

▪ Mecklenburg Park and Recreation will close the gates to its parks at 8 p.m. Friday, officials said. Saturday, operations and facilities are scheduled to open at 9 a.m., but could be delayed depending on the severity of the storm.

COVID testing sites

Most StarMed outdoor sites will be closed Saturday, the health care company said.

In Charlotte, only the site at 4001 Tuckaseegee Road will be open for COVID tests and vaccinations. The hours will be limited to 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

These outdoor sites also will have limited hours on Saturday:

Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Asheville — Open for testing 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

410 Four Seasons Town Centre, Greensboro — Open for vaccinations 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Indoor StarMed locations will be open normal hours on Saturday:

FreeMore Family & Urgent Care — 4001 Tuckaseegee Road

Eastland Family & Urgent Care — 5344 Central Ave.

The Antibody Treatment — 491 N. Wendover Road

COVID test kit distribution

Due to the storm, Mecklenburg County has changed the hours of its two Saturday sites for distributing free COVID at-home test kits.

County residents can visit these sites from noon to 3 p.m.: J.M. Alexander Middle School, 12010 Hambright Road in Huntersville; and the Central Piedmont Community College Harper campus, 315 W. Hebron St. in Charlotte, officials said.

Homeless shelters expand capacity

Charlotte homeless shelters will continue to maintain their expanded capacity through at least Sunday, according to a county news release issued Friday.

“Homeless outreach teams have been deployed to homeless encampments to encourage anyone living unsheltered to visit a shelter,” officials said.

Those who refuses to visit a shelter will be given blankets and coats, officials said.

For men, Roof Above opens the Lucille Giles Men’s Shelter, 3410 Statesville Ave., at 4:30 p.m.

Roof Above also will operate its day services center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with access to restrooms and limited indoor seating. Masks are required. Outdoor seating with government-approved radiated heaters also will be available.

For women and families, the Salvation Army Center of Hope shelter at 534 Spratt St. will expand capacity by 50 beds.

Conditions elsewhere

Higher elevations in the N.C. mountains could see 2 to 5 inches of snow, with 6 to 8 inches predicted above 5,000 feet, forecasters said.

The Triangle could wake up to an inch of snow Saturday, maybe even two, the News & Observer reported.

Along the coast, a gale watch is in effect from Georgetown, S.C., to past Wilmington, with 40-mph wind gusts possible, according to the NWS.