Some snow accumulation is possible in the Triangle soon. Updated forecast
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NWS forecasts late Saturday rain mixing to wet snow Sunday, exiting by 7 p.m.
- Sunday highs near 36 and warm Saturday temperatures near 60 will limit snow accumulation.
- Forecasts call for trace amounts to 0.5 inch accumulation; black ice possible.
Update: For the latest forecast, click here.
Snow is still in the Triangle’s forecast for the weekend.
As of Friday, Jan. 16, the National Weather Service forecasted that light rain across central North Carolina late Saturday night, Jan. 17, would mix with — or change to — wet snow on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Precipitation, likely in the form of rain, is expected to begin falling after midnight Sunday, NWS Raleigh meteorologist Aaron Swiggett told The News & Observer in a call. Then there will be a slow transition of the rain/snow line moving eastward with time, before moving out of the area around 7 p.m. Sunday.
“A good portion of the Piedmont, which includes maybe as far west as the Triad but even towards the Triangle, will most likely see some snow falling from the sky at some point in the day on Sunday,” Swiggett said. “The big problem is that our surface temperatures are not really going to be below freezing.”
It will still be cold on Sunday, but temperatures will be as high as 36 degrees. Saturday will be warmer, with highs in the 50s, near 60.
“That’s going to warm up the ground pretty substantially, and any snow that falls is going to have to overcome that warm ground,” Swiggett said.
While this isn’t expected to be a big event, some snow accumulation is possible, as temperatures will be marginally cold enough. Snow accumulation is more likely on elevated surfaces over the northeast Piedmont, from Raleigh north and northeast.
As of Friday, the forecast called for trace amounts of snow accumulation up to a half-inch.
Black ice may be possible, depending on how quickly temperatures fall after sunset.
Forecasters will have more certainty closer to the onset of the event.
Roads prepared for wintry weather
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will work Friday and Saturday to prepare roads for the wintry precipitation, spokesperson Kimberly Deaner said in an email to The News & Observer.
The department will apply brine to interstates, primary roads and known trouble spots, Deaner said.
Crews with the City of Raleigh will begin brining roads Saturday morning, city spokesperson Julia Milstead told The N&O in an email.
Cold weather to continue after snow
While Saturday is expected to bring some warmth to the Triangle, colder temperatures will return early next week, Swiggett said.
Particularly on the mornings of Monday, Jan. 19, Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 21, the wind chill could be in the teens.
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 11:39 AM.
