As the Fayetteville area braces for wintry precipitation Friday night into Saturday morning, the area — along with Clinton and Goldsboro — is among just three locations in central North Carolina under a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service, Raleigh. The areas north, east and west of us are all under a more severe winter storm warning.
Here’s the latest on what we can expect.
How cold will it get this weekend?
On Friday, expect a low of about 29. On Saturday, temperatures will drop into the low 20s.
When does the snow start?
Fayetteville’s chance for a mixture of snow and sleet is between 4-6 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Raleigh. As we get closer to midnight, we can expect to see freezing rain with the potential for temperatures to rise, turning it into rain.
“We may not know until the event is here. Is it gonna stay freezing rain or are we going to get just above freezing and it’s going to change over to rain? Our freezing rain amounts could change,” said NWS Raleigh Senior Meteorologist Brandon Locklear.
Fayetteville Clinton and Goldsboro may escape the worst of a winter storm hitting the state Friday into Saturday. The remainder of central North Carolina is under a winter storm advisory.
How much is expected?
The NWS, in an overnight update early Friday, says mixed precipitation is expected in Cumberland County, with a possible accumulation of up to one-half inch of snow and sleet, plus an additional 10th of an inch of ice in Fayetteville through the entire event.
Is school closed? What else?
Cumberland County Schools announced Thursday that schools would operate remotely Friday and that all sports events Friday and Saturday are canceled.
Is it safe to drive?
Don’t risk it. Frozen precipitation could stick to bridges and roadways on Saturday morning, and the moisture could refreeze in the afternoon as the temperatures drop back into the mid-20s.
Are warming centers and White Flag shelters open?
Yes. According to a news release from Cumberland County, the following warming centers will be open for people who need to get out of the cold during normal business hours.
• Cumberland County Department of Social Services Auxiliary Lobby: 1225 Ramsey St., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.
• Cumberland County Department of Public Health First Floor Lobby: 1235 Ramsey St., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. Masks are required in some areas.
• Cumberland County public libraries: All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday.
• Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation-Recreation center lobbies: Recreation center hours, contact information and programming schedules are posted at fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers.
• Fayetteville Area System of Transit lobby: 505 Franklin St., Operating hours for FAST are posted at fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/transit/about-fast/operating-hours-schedules.
• Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center: 128 S. King St., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday.
The following White Flag Shelters will provide overnight emergency shelter Friday:
• True Vine Ministries (J Center): 5315 Morganton Road Fayetteville, 6 p.m. – 7 a.m., with intake starting at 5:45 p.m. For more information about the J Center, go to truevinenc.com/white-flag-shelter.
• Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center: 111 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake, 6 p.m.–8 a.m., with intake from 5:30-9 p.m. Transportation will be provided to and from the Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center at 128 S. King St. Pick-up time is 6 p.m. and return time is 6:30 a.m. Dinner and breakfast are provided. For more information, call 910-494-2715 or email treyct5@gmail.com.
• The Salvation Army of the Sandhills Region, 245 Alexander St., Fayetteville, 6:30 p.m.- 7 a.m., with intake from 6:30 – 9 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: When will it start snowing in Fayetteville?