Latest forecast: Snow is ‘likely’ from Raleigh to southeastern NC next week, says NWS
NOTE: For the latest weather forecast, please check this story published on Monday.
Portions of central and southeastern North Carolina — including Raleigh — are likely to see snow in the next few days, according to the latest reports from the National Weather Service.
A massive high-pressure system extending over much of the country starting Monday, Jan. 20, will affect the East Coast starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, into Wednesday, Jan. 22. At the same time, low pressure develops over the Gulf of Mexico, crosses Florida, and emerges over the Atlantic Ocean. But most models show that high-pressure system will make it harder for precipitation, such as snow, to make it very far inland from the coastline.
Basically, if you really want to see snow, go to the beach.
Here’s what to know so far.
When is it supposed to snow?
As of Sunday, Jan. 19, the National Weather Service seven-day forecast for Raleigh shows a slight chance of snow after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, with a higher chance of snow Tuesday night, with “snow likely, mainly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.”
Snow should end by late Wednesday morning, which will only have a high around 28 degrees.
Areas south and southeast of the Triangle have a better chance of seeing snow during the same time period.
According to the National Weather Service Sunday report: “There is still high confidence that all precipitation locally will fall as snow, and did not make much change to the chances of precipitation with this forecast — snow is still likely . . . The window for snow to fall has shrunk slightly, with the chance of snow moving in from the south late Tuesday, peaking in the late evening and departing by late Wednesday morning.”
▪ More snow later in the week? The additional chance for freezing precip later in the week, mentioned in the NWS Saturday report, is mentioned again on Sunday, with some disagreements among models about how long the precip could last. It could be snow, rain or freezing rain, says NWS.
What are the chances the Raleigh area will see snow?
As of Sunday, Jan. 19, the National Weather Service seven-day forecast gives Raleigh a 20% chance of snow Tuesday afternoon, with a 60% chance Tuesday night.
A graphical forecast map shows precipitation ranges of 56% in the Raleigh area Tuesday night to 61% in Sanford, 70% in Fayetteville and 83% farther south in Wilmington.
Where will it snow, according to the forecast?
The National Weather Service gives Raleigh a “likely” chance of snow Tuesday night, but says “higher snowfall totals will occur along the coastline.” That’s right, snow on the beach.
From Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, up to 3 inches of snow could fall along an area from New Bern to Manteo, forecasts said Sunday. An inch to 2 inches are possible in a band just inland of that, running from the South Carolina border to Virginia. West of that, in the area that includes Raleigh, less than an inch is expected.
How cold will it be next week?
The NWS seven-day forecast and graphical forecast map, as of Sunday, Jan. 19, show that high temperatures in the Triangle next week are not expected to be much above freezing until Thursday and Friday.
- Sunday, it’ll continue to rain off an on, mostly before 3 p.m., with a high near 54 degrees. Winds may be gusty at times, as high as 24 mph. Temps will drop quickly to give us a low around 24. Wind chill values Sunday night will feel like 15.
- Monday, which is MLK Day, will be sunny and breezy with a high near 33 degrees and lows that night around 19.
- On Tuesday during the day, it’ll be partly sunny and the high may reach 32 degrees. Snow could start after 4 p.m. (increasing from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.) with lows around 16.
- On Wednesday, we’ll have a high near 28 degrees with a low around 12 that night.
- Thursday could get up to a balmy 35 degrees with a low around 22.
- Friday looks to be partly sunny with a high around 42 and a low around 23.
- Saturday, it looks to be sunny with a high near 47.
This story was originally published January 19, 2025 at 10:19 AM.
