NC roads will be slick after the weekend storm. Here’s how to stay safe driving
A storm moving into North Carolina’s Piedmont region could create slippery, hazardous conditions for drivers.
The storm is expected to hit the region Saturday afternoon, with forecasters predicting anywhere from a quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch of ice could form on surfaces between 1 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday, The Charlotte Observer reported.
If you have to drive anywhere, here are some ways you can stay safe.
How to stay safe while driving in snow/ice
The N.C. Department of Public Safety recommends staying off the road during snowstorms, but if you have to drive, you can use these tips to stay safe:
- Use windshield wipers and turn on the low beam headlights.
- Check your tire pressure and battery power (colder temperatures cause the pressure and power to drop).
- Defrost windows.
- Reduce speed and increase following distance, allowing you more time to stop.
- If you start to slide, take your foot off the gas and do not slam on the brakes. Steer in the direction of the skid.
- Watch for shady spots, bridges and overpasses. They will be the first to freeze as the temperatures drop.
- When starting or stopping on snowy or icy roads, increase or decrease your speed slowly. This will help tires keep traction with the road.
- Do not use cruise control.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times to prevent moisture from freezing the lines.
- Carry a stocked emergency kit.
How is NC preparing for the storm?
N.C. Department of Transportation crews began pre-treating roads with brine on Wednesday ahead of the storm, WSOC reported.
The salty water mixture lowers the freezing point and helps prevent snow and ice from sticking to pavement, a key step when even a light dusting can turn untreated roads slick in Arctic cold, Doug McNeal, NCDOT’s division maintenance engineer, previously told The News & Observer.
While brine is often enough for minor events, crews still rely on rock salt once snowfall becomes heavier, using it to break up and melt accumulating ice.
Which roads have snow, ice?
NCDOT runs DriveNC.gov, an interactive map that shows road closures from construction, crashes and winter weather.
Turn on the “Snow & Ice” layer to track storm impacts in real time. A snowflake icon signals snow or ice on the road (click it for details), while a “C” icon indicates conditions are clear.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 12:21 PM with the headline "NC roads will be slick after the weekend storm. Here’s how to stay safe driving."
