Courtesy: Doriana Popa on Unsplash
Courtesy: Doriana Popa on Unsplash
After a punishing winter storm delivered the coldest start to the season so far, snow chances are once again creeping back into the forecast for parts of the Carolinas. While the workweek is expected to stay dry, forecasters are closely watching a developing coastal system that could reintroduce winter weather as the weekend approaches.
Temperatures remain stubbornly cold in the days ahead, with mornings starting in the 30s and afternoon highs struggling to climb out of the upper 30s and low 40s. Even as sunshine returns, a persistent breeze will keep conditions feeling colder than the thermometer suggests.
A brutal cold start still shapes the week
The latest cold snap hit especially hard in the mountains, where wind chills plunged well below zero, reaching dangerous levels near minus 20 degrees. While sunshine is helping temperatures recover slightly during the day, the overall pattern remains locked in place.
Overnight lows are expected to dip back into the 20s through much of the week. Any lingering moisture on roadways may refreeze during the overnight and early morning hours, creating isolated slick spots. These hazards should gradually fade as roads dry and daytime sunshine continues.
Dry days dominate the short-term forecast
High pressure is firmly in control for the rest of the workweek, keeping precipitation at bay. Skies will stay mostly sunny, but warmth will be hard to come by.
High temperatures are forecast to top out in the upper 30s to low 40s through Friday, with some locations failing to break the 40-degree mark at all. Despite the sunshine, the air mass in place will prevent any meaningful warmup, reinforcing a wintry feel across the region.
A coastal low raises weekend snow questions
Attention now turns to the weekend, when an area of low pressure is expected to develop along the Carolina coastline. The biggest uncertainty is how close that system tracks to land.
If the low hugs the coast, snow showers could develop, especially during the first half of the weekend. Cold air already in place would allow any snow that falls to stick, increasing the potential for travel impacts.
If the system tracks farther offshore, snow chances would drop significantly, leaving the region cold but largely dry. At this point, both possibilities remain on the table, making forecast updates especially important in the days ahead.
Even colder air could arrive this weekend
Regardless of snowfall, temperatures are expected to drop even further this weekend. Forecasts suggest some areas may struggle to reach 30 degrees on Saturday afternoon, reinforcing the threat of icy conditions if any precipitation occurs.
The persistent cold means even light snow could have outsized effects, particularly on untreated roads and sidewalks. Residents are urged to stay alert as details become clearer.
Why this setup feels familiar
Longtime residents may notice similarities to past winters when repeated weekend systems delivered back-to-back winter weather. While it is still too early to draw direct comparisons, the overall pattern favors continued cold and at least the potential for additional winter events.
Forecasters emphasize that it is only midweek, and confidence will improve as the weekend draws closer. Small shifts in the storm’s path could significantly alter impacts.
What to expect next
For now, the forecast calls for cold and dry conditions through the rest of the week, with lingering slick spots possible during early mornings. By the weekend, all eyes will be on the coastal low and its eventual track.
Residents are encouraged to check for frequent forecast updates and prepare for colder-than-normal temperatures, whether snow materializes or not.
Source: WBTV
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