Winter Storm Izzy, which is currently dumping significant snowfall in the upper Midwest, is now forecast to plow straight through the Charlotte region.
The storm is expected to bring over a foot of snow to the mountains and potentially crippling ice accumulations around the Charlotte region.
The National Weather Service sent out the following alert for our region this morning for Iredell, Davie, Catawba, Rowan, Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union Counties:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 441 AM EST Fri Jan 14 2022 ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... * WHEN...From late Saturday night through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be nearly impossible across the entire area. At least scattered power outages and tree damage are likely across the Piedmont due to the ice as well as gusty winds. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation will begin Saturday evening and will gradually change over to a wintry mix across much of the region Sunday morning, although mainly snow is expected across the North Carolina foothills. A mix of all precipitation types is expected closer to the I-85 corridor, while mostly freezing rain is forecast for areas southeast of I-85. The precipitation should taper off Sunday afternoon and evening, perhaps as a period of light snow. Black ice could be a problem each morning early next week. Later guidance may affect precipitation types and amounts, and when a Warning would be issued.
According to The Weather Channel’s National Winter Storm Izzy forecast, “major travel disruption is likely” in the south, “and it could last into at least Monday morning, given forecast lows below freezing into the Deep South. If you have travel plans in these areas, you should consider canceling or moving them.”
The National Weather Service is now forecasting over .3 inches of ice accumulation for the Charlotte region:
According to The Weather Channel, if we receive the forecasted amount of around .3 – .4 inches, the storm will likely only be ‘disruptive’, but if we get a little more than forecasted, we could enter the ‘crippling’ territory:
“With widespread ice accumulations of over 1/2 inch, there is severe tree damage and power outages may last for days,” the Weather Channel notes.
North Carolina Emergency Management officials are now urging all residents to:
- Keep enough water in your home for 3 days.
- Keep enough non-perishable food in your home for 3 days.
- Keep fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights.
- Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.
- Properly vent kerosene heaters and keep any electric generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never burn charcoal or operate grills indoors.
- Monitor changing forecasts and weather conditions closely.
- Keep an vehicle emergency kit, blankets, and sand/salt in your car.
- Top off all your vehicle’s fluids, especially your oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze.
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