Winter storm coming to the Raleigh area. When to expect sleet & freezing rain
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Forecast: Arctic air arrives Friday night; sleet starts Saturday night in Triangle.
- Ice accumulation: 0.38 inches on surfaces in Raleigh and Durham.
- Impacts: Power outages and hazardous travel likely; people should avoid driving.
Read the latest story from Sunday, Jan. 25: Winter storm brings snow, ice on Sunday morning: Latest Triangle forecast, closings
As the winter storm approaches, meteorologists continue to warn of sleet and freezing rain for the Triangle.
Temperatures are not expected to tick above freezing in central North Carolina all day Saturday, Jan 24, with highs in the low 30s in the afternoon and lows in the low 20s Saturday night.
As of 2 a.m. Saturday, , the National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for much of central North Carolina, including Wake, Durham, Chatham, Orange and Johnston counties. The warning is in effect for Orange County starting at 1 p.m. and the other four counties starting at 7 p.m. , Jan. 24 through Monday afternoon, Jan. 26.
While parts of the Triangle may see some precipitation starting Saturday afternoon, the bulk of it is not expected until Saturday night, likely in the form of sleet. That type of precipitation may continue overnight and into Sunday morning, Jan. 25, before mixing with or transitioning to freezing rain.
Around 1 inch of sleet accumulation is expected in Raleigh, according to the National Weather Service, and a higher amount is possible in Durham — up to 2 inches.
The Triangle should expect to see freezing rain through Sunday evening, Jan. 25.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, the official ice accumulation forecast is between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches in Raleigh and Durham. That refers to the ice accumulation expected on surfaces such as trees and power lines, and is enough to lead to power outages.
Parts of the Triangle, including southern Wake County, may see rain Sunday evening.
By Monday morning, Jan. 26, precipitation is expected to have cleared out of the area, Smith said. Sunshine, which can help melt precipitation, should come by Monday afternoon.
Impacts from the storm
Power outages are possible and may begin Saturday overnight. A quarter inch of ice can cause trees and branches to fall onto power lines, and a half-inch or more can weigh down power lines themselves, according to Duke Energy.
Many Triangle residents may be without heat in bitterly cold conditions. Across central North Carolina, highs will be in the 20s to lower 30s Saturday, upper 20s to mid 30s Sunday and in the 30s Monday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan 27. Meanwhile, lows will plummet into the teens and 20s Saturday night and Sunday night, and into the single digits Monday night.
The precipitation is expected to make travel conditions dangerous for several days. Raleigh-Durham International Airport said it’s prepared for the weather, to make sure planes can take off and land.
While the North Carolina Department of Transportation has been treating roads to prepare for the storm, Gov. Josh Stein is urging drivers to stay off the roads starting Saturday unless absolutely necessary.
Sunshine early next week could help melt some of the precipitation, but temperatures are expected to be cold enough to refreeze it. Black ice may be present starting Sunday night.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 8:03 AM.
