8+ inches of snow possible in the Triangle this weekend. The forecast
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- National Weather Service forecasts 8–10 inches of snow in the Triangle this weekend.
- Gusty 25–35 mph winds may produce blowing and drifting snow, causing low visibility.
- Winter storm watch in effect Friday–Sunday; lows in teens or single digits expected.
Read the latest story from Friday, Jan. 30: Snow, extreme cold & gusty winds expected in the Triangle. Weekend forecast
Six or more inches of snow is expected across much of central North Carolina this weekend.
The National Weather Service’s forecast, as of Thursday morning, Jan. 29, calls for 8-10 inches of snow in the Triangle. These values could change as the event approaches.
Snow would fall between Friday evening, Jan. 30 and early Sunday, Feb. 1.
Significant snow accumulation, possible along and east of the Interstate 95 corridor, would likely happen Saturday, Jan. 31 into Saturday night.
There is likely to be a heavy band of snow that drops 10 inches or more, but where that band will be is unknown, said James Danco, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Raleigh.
In addition to the snow, meteorologists are expecting gusty winds of 25-35 mph. That’s could lead to blowing and drifting snow, limiting visibility.
Unlike last weekend’s storm, widespread power outages are not a concern, though some power outages may occur from fallen tree limbs, Danco said.
Below-normal temperatures are expected to persist throughout the weekend and into next week. High temperatures Saturday and Sunday are expected to stay in the 20s and low 30s in the Triangle. Overnight lows will be in the teens or single digits. Wind chill values will be lower.
A winter storm watch has been issued for central North Carolina, in effect Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon.
What makes this storm unusual
It is “incredibly rare” in central North Carolina for a storm to start with one precipitation type, continue with that same type and end with it, National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Petro said in a briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Yet that’s what the models are showing — ice and freezing rain are not expected in central North Carolina, as of Wednesday afternoon. Snow is the only type of precipitation in the forecast for the area this weekend.
Moderate or heavy snow accumulation could cause hazardous travel conditions and black ice, Petro said.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 8:24 AM.
