Significant snow and ice storm could be headed to the Triangle. Latest forecast
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Forecasters warn a winter storm may hit the Triangle over the weekend.
- Amounts and types of precipitation are not certain at this point.
- NWS urges residents to monitor forecasts throughout the week.
Read the latest story from Friday, Jan. 23 Winter storm coming to the Raleigh area. When to expect sleet & freezing rain
Forecasters are warning that a significant winter storm that could affect driving conditions, cause closures and power outages, and disrupt daily life may be heading to the Triangle this weekend.
“There’s still uncertainty on how much snow we get versus ice — and it may end up being more of an ice event, like sleet and freezing rain — but it’s still too early to say specific amounts,” said James Danco, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Raleigh.
Arctic air will be in place.
As of Tuesday, Jan. 20, high temperatures on Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25 are expected to hover around freezing, Danco said, but it could be even colder, in the high 20s. Saturday night, the lows could plummet into the teens.
Those cold temperatures would help make the storm more impactful, easier for snow, sleet or freezing rain to accumulate.
The winter storm would likely last Saturday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 25, Danco said.
From Saturday until Monday, Jan. 26, high temperatures in the Triangle are expected to remain around or below freezing, meaning precipitation may not melt significantly through early next week.
The National Weather Service is urging residents to stay tuned to updates from trusted sources throughout the week, as the forecast could change.
Second snow of January
This winter storm would come about a week after some areas in the Triangle received a dusting of snow. Trace amounts were recorded at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Near the airport and in the Chapel Hill area, 0.1 inches of snow were recorded Sunday afternoon.
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 10:02 AM.
