Heavy snow, sleet reported in western NC as winter storm hits Carolinas

Steady snow and sleet are falling across the Charlotte metro and western North Carolina as a winter storm brought wintry weather to the Carolinas on Friday.

Gov. Josh Stein declared a statewide state of emergency ahead of the storm on Thursday, warning residents to stay off the roads and get to a safe place before the worst of the weather reached the Tar Heel State. Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich urged everyone to get home or at least off the roads by 5 p.m.

"We want you to be where you're going to be by 5 o'clock," Panovich said. "Two reasons, that's when the temperature is really going to drop as the sun goes down and the ebbs and flows of snow pick up by 5 or 6 p.m."

It's the first measurable snow in Charlotte in nearly three years and would mark the end of the longest snow drought in Charlotte's history. The last time Charlotte had accumulating snow was January 2022 (Over 1,076 days ago). Some snow fell on Dec. 3, but there was no measurable snowfall in the city.

"This storm will likely bring significant impacts from snow, sleet and freezing rain in different parts of the state," Stein said. "North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast, make sure they are prepared with what they need at home before Friday afternoon and stay home if possible as ice on the roadways will likely create dangerous driving conditions." #Weather #Snow #Winter #ncwx #snomg

[davidjones-vxju]

what would they do if it really snowed?