Latest forecast: Timeline of Monday snowfall for Triangle area, what to expect
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Triangle expecting half-inch snow Monday; northern counties could see 1-2 inches.
- Winter weather advisory runs 7 a.m. Monday through noon Tuesday; schools closed.
- Precipitation shifts from rain to snow by mid-afternoon; roads may flash freeze.
UPDATE: Go here to read the latest forecast published Monday evening.
A wintry mix fell across the Triangle Monday, Dec. 8.
A winter weather advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Monday through noon Tuesday, Dec. 9. All school systems in the Triangle are closed Monday.
How much snow will we get?
Up to an inch of snow is expected across the Triangle, Michael Strickler, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Raleigh, told The News & Observer in a phone interview Monday morning.
Areas toward the northern end of the Triangle will likely get more snowfall than areas toward the southern end, Strickler said.
Counties near the North Carolina/Virginia border should see up to 2 inches.
Snow won’t begin to accumulate at the onset of precipitation, Strickler said, as temperatures will be above freezing. High temperatures around Raleigh and Durham on Monday are expected to be near 40.
“We need snow to fall more quickly to get it to cover the ground when temperatures are initially above freezing this afternoon, or we just need nightfall, Strickler said. “And then once the sun sets, the temperature is going to drop, and accumulation should begin a little more readily after dark.”
Roads and sidewalks are expected to flash freeze Monday night with temperatures in the teens to low 20s, NWS Raleigh said. Follow these winter weather driving tips, and remember to walk like a penguin.
When will snow fall?
A mix of rain and snow began falling Monday afternoon in the Triangle, as temperatures remained above freezing.
Forecasters expected a gradual transition to snow from north to south in the afternoon.
“Northern parts of the Triangle should change over a little more quickly, shortly after lunch time, and then it may take a couple more hours down in the southern parts of the Triangle,” Strickler said. “And that’s part of why we’re expecting a little bit of a range in snow accumulations, just because those northern areas are going to change over to snow a little more quickly, and will likely, consequently, see a longer duration of snow to get a little more accumulation.”
The precipitation should end Monday evening, first toward Chapel Hill and the western part of the Triangle. However, snow could still be falling lightly in parts of Johnston County through early Tuesday morning, Strickler said.
Black ice is possible through Tuesday morning.
“The roads are already going to be pretty icy from the get-go this evening,” Strickler said. “So it’s wherever the precipitation falls, and we get a little bit of that light snow, it’s just going to be pretty treacherous travel conditions tomorrow morning.”
Restaurants, businesses closed Monday
Many government offices, the NC Chinese Lantern Festival, Pullen Park Holiday Express and some businesses are closing Monday with the winter weather.
Find updated lists of business closures and restaurant closures on our website.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published December 8, 2025 at 7:20 AM.
