Freezing Rain, Ice Expected Overnight Throughout Charlotte Metro

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mecklenburg County residents should expect freezing rain and possible ice accumulation overnight, forecasters warned Wednesday. A winter weather advisory for Mecklenburg County will go into effect for 24 hours beginning Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

The wintry weather could lead to hazardous road conditions throughout the Charlotte metro, NWS said.

Areas of the state most likely to see significant ice accumulation include the mountains, foothills and northern piedmont of North Carolina, including northwest of the Interstate 85 corridor, say state emergency officials. "These areas could see 0.20-0.50 inches of ice accumulation (locally higher possible), which will likely lead to downed trees, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions," North Carolina Emergency Management said.

North Carolina Emergency Management urged residents to prepare for the possibility of an ice storm, which could lead to widespread power outages, by doing the following:

• Charge devices
• Locate extra batteries
• Restock emergency kit items
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Don't park your car under trees
• Have a week's worth of food and prescriptions
• Don't leave vehicle wipers raised
• Trim weak or damaged branches around your home

Here is the National Weather Service's forecast through the weekend:
Today (Feb. 17)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. East northeast wind 7 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Rain, mainly after 2am. Patchy fog after 3am. Low around 34. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday (Feb. 18)
Rain before 10am, then rain or freezing rain between 10am and 2pm, then rain after 2pm. Some thunder is also possible. Patchy fog before 3pm. High near 37. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected.
Thursday Night
Rain, mainly before 4am. Low around 35. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday (Feb. 19)
A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 26.
Saturday (Feb. 20)
Sunny, with a high near 44.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28.
Sunday (Feb. 21)
Sunny, with a high near 48.