Winter weather forecast changes for Raleigh/Durham this weekend. What to now expect

Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
·2 min read
1

Update 9:30 a.m. Friday: Most of the Triangle is no longer expected to have impacts of freezing rain this weekend, Raleigh’s National Weather Service said early Friday morning.

The Winter Weather Advisory — which could bring about wintery conditions with freezing rain, marginal ice accumulations and a need for extra caution while driving — is now contained to the northwestern part of the state. It’s possible the farthest northwest portions of Orange and Durham counties could be impacted.

Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill proper (and their immediately surrounding areas) shouldn’t experience any wintery conditions, NWS Raleigh lead forecaster Jimmy Taeger told The News & Observer.

Meteorologists at Raleigh’s National Weather Service predict a low probability of minor winter storm impacts in the Triangle this weekend.

Light ice accumulations are possible late Friday night into early Saturday morning.

“But I don’t expect us to see any kind of snow,” Taeger said Thursday.

“Maybe the Triad could see some sleet, but it’s the kind of thing like if you blink, you’ll miss it. Both because it’ll happen so quickly, and because it’ll be so early in the morning that most will probably be sleeping.”

Winter weather forecast in Raleigh/Durham

Here’s the weekend forecast as of early morning Thursday:

  • A period of light freezing rain is possible from late Friday night into mid-morning Saturday, mostly taking place across the northwest Piedmont region.

  • Freezing rain will most likely fall very early morning on Saturday, lasting from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m.

  • Barely freezing temperatures will limit ice accrual, especially after sunrise on Saturday.

  • Freezing rain will turn to regular rain mid-morning, and between half and three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.

Saturday temperatures in Raleigh are now expected to be a bit higher than forecasted Wednesday, now with highs in the high 40s.

Cold as a mother-in-law’s love? Here are some colorful ways to describe bleak weather

From purple streetlights to Raleigh recycling — you ask, we answer: Our best reader questions