Brad Panovich: Wintry weather expected in Charlotte this week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Our WCNC Charlotte Weather Impact Team is tracking the potential for a wintry mix in the Carolinas this week following a cold front and strong thunderstorms on Sunday. 

Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich discussed the winter weather set up on WCNC+ Sunday afternoon. But before you grab your shovels and sleds, this storm system will not bring all snow.

In fact, winter storms in Charlotte are rarely all snow. Probability wise, it’s normally every 1 out of 8, or even 1 out of 10 storms.

Forecasting wintry weather in Charlotte is always complex, and this week is no exception. While temperatures might be above freezing at times, snow and sleet can still happen because it’s all about the temperatures in the clouds, not at the ground. 

Bitterly cold air sets up across the Carolinas behind Sunday’s cold front. This cold air from the northwest will combine with a new storm system moving into the Carolinas on Wednesday.

Impacts from the wintry precipitation will be Wednesday and Thursday, primarily Wednesday and Wednesday night. Even if the precipitation wraps up before midnight, impacts are still expected across the region through at least Thursday morning.

Overnight lows will be really chilly next week, so our team is confident there will be wintry weather in the Charlotte area. Even if temperatures reach the 40s on Wednesday, sleet can still reach the surface.

When it comes to things like snow and ice totals, our team will release our first map Monday. We know it won’t be all snow for Charlotte but where the rain-snow line forms can have an impact on totals. Sleet and ice mixing in with snow can cut totals in half.

We want everyone to stay weather aware for all types of winter precipitation and not get caught up in clickbait forecasts promising huge snow totals. Instead, follow the Weather Impact Team’s forecast on air, on our app, and on WCNC+. We’ll also be updating social media constantly over the next few days.

We know most people, including our team, would love a winter wonderland. However, this will not be all snow which means ice will mix in. This is what can cause travel issues, power outages, and dangerous conditions outdoors.

“My biggest concern, if I have a concern right now, I honestly hope it’s all snow,” Panovich said. “Everyone would be happy. Sure, there would be some road issues and school closures and stuff, but my biggest concern in the set up is there’s a lot of indicators, not all of them, of significant ice in the Carolinas. My concern right now is somebody is going to get an epic ice storm out of this and not snow.”

WCNC Charlotte’s guide to prepare for the winter weather:

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