The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings across at least 14 states as a large-scale weather system moves eastward, bringing heavy snowfall, gusty winds and severely reduced visibility. The worst conditions are forecast along parts of North Carolina and Virginia, where coastal areas could face near-whiteout conditions due to snow and 60 mph wind gusts.
Many parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic will see snow totals between 4 to 8 inches, with isolated areas reaching up to a foot. According to the National Weather Service, snow is expected to fall in multiple waves from Friday into Sunday, with the storm’s impact stretching from Georgia and South Carolina up through Illinois and Indiana.
Widespread Warnings from the Carolinas to the Great Lakes
From the mountains of North Carolina to the coastal edges of Virginia and South Carolina, winter storm warnings are in effect across multiple regions, with varying degrees of severity. According to the National Weather Service, parts of western North Carolina, including Ashe, Watauga and Avery counties, may receive 5 to 8 inches of snow, while wind gusts could peak at 55 mph through Sunday. Roads in mountainous areas are expected to become impassable, with a heightened risk of isolated power outages.
In eastern and coastal North Carolina, including the Outer Banks and counties such as Washington and Hyde, snowfall may total 8 to 12 inches. Winds near 60 mph will likely create near-zero visibility, prompting authorities to advise against all non-essential travel. Cities such as Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville are also under warning, with 5 to 10 inches anticipated across the region.
Virginia is also under multiple winter storm warnings from Friday through Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, parts of southwest Virginia (like Tazewell and Giles counties) could see 4 to 7 inches of snow. Meanwhile, coastal cities such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach may receive 7 to 12 inches, with gusts between 50 to 60 mph making travel hazardous and raising the risk of falling tree branches.
South Carolina’s central and coastal regions are facing similar threats. Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties could get up to 8 inches of snow, while Charleston and Mount Pleasant may see between 3 to 5 inches. In Georgia, northeast counties such as Rabun and Habersham are forecast to receive 4 to 7 inches, with snow becoming more hazardous after dark.
Hazardous Travel Conditions and Power Risks Loom
The storm’s impact extends into the Appalachian states and Midwest, where travel disruptions and safety concerns are intensifying. According to the National Weather Service, eastern Tennessee (including Knoxville and Morristown) could see up to 8 inches of snow, with peaks in higher elevations reaching 12 inches. Wind gusts of 35 mph are expected to cause blowing snow and rapidly changing visibility.
In West Virginia, warnings and advisories are active in counties such as McDowell and Raleigh, where snow totals could reach 5 inches. Some southern and southeastern counties, including Summers and Monroe, may experience gusts up to 45 mph, which could cause tree damage and scattered outages.
Indiana’s Lake and Porter counties are under alert for lake-effect snow, with localized totals potentially exceeding 12 inches. According to the National Weather Service, snowfall rates may reach 2 inches per hour, making travel especially dangerous north of U.S. Route 30. Northern Illinois faces similar lake-effect conditions, where snowfall could quickly surpass 6 inches if a heavy snow band develops inland.
Other affected regions include Kentucky, Montana, South Dakota and Alaska. While accumulations in some of these areas remain modest, icy roads and strong winds continue to pose threats. In Alaska, a mix of freezing rain and snow around Anchorage and Eagle River is expected to create a slick glaze of ice by early Friday, according to forecasters.
