Weather Impact Alert Tuesday morning: Mountain ice & cold rain for metro
Widespread rain turns heavy Tuesday morning.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s a cold and wet start to Tuesday morning across the Charlotte region, and a good day to be Weather Impact Alert. Here’s what to expect using our WIN breakdown (When, Impacts, and what you Need to know).
WHEN
- Monday night into Tuesday morning: Precipitation spreads south to north, starting after sunset and becoming widespread by midnight.
- Tuesday afternoon: Colder air arrives with lingering mountain snow showers tapering off by evening.
IMPACTS
- Wintry mix likely in the northern mountains and eastern Escarpment: Snow, sleet, and pockets of freezing rain could create slick travel.
- Southwest high elevations: Brief freezing rain possible on the tallest ridges, but valleys should stay above freezing with little to no accumulation.
- Piedmont: A cold rain with 1–1.5″ totals.
- Tuesday afternoon: Light snow possible along the Tennessee border as cold air filters in.
NEED TO KNOW
- Confidence is increasing for accumulating wintry weather in the northern mountains/eastern Escarpment.
- Most areas warm above freezing by sunrise Tuesday, limiting the duration of icing.
- Travel impacts will be highly elevation-dependent but worse on ridges and foothills, minimal in major valleys and the Piedmont.
- Temperatures turn colder Tuesday night after the system exits.
There is a higher risk of ice accumulations up to a quarter inch possible with this second system.
A quarter-inch of ice can cause serious impacts, including dangerous travel, power outages due to the heavy weight, and damage to trees. Roads and sidewalks become extremely slick, and bridges and overpasses become hazardous.
Please stay tuned for changes in the forecast over the next few days.
