Winter Storm Watch Issued: What Rowan, Davie & Davidson Counties Should Expect

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Rowan County, Davie County, and Davidson County from Saturday into early Monday, as confidence increases in a high-impact winter weather event across central North Carolina.

This system has the potential to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain, followed by dangerously cold temperatures that could prolong impacts into next week.

What’s Happening Right Now

Today and Friday serve as a brief calm window. Temperatures remain relatively mild today, and while rain is possible Friday, precipitation amounts are expected to stay light. This quiet period is important — it provides time to prepare before winter weather arrives.

When Conditions Deteriorate

• Saturday: Wintry precipitation begins to develop during the day. Some areas may start as snow or sleet before transitioning.

• Saturday Night: The highest-impact period begins, with sleet and freezing rain becoming more likely.

• Sunday: Prolonged periods of freezing rain and sleet are expected, creating hazardous travel conditions.

• Monday: Precipitation ends, but very cold air moves in, slowing melting and extending impacts.

Why Ice Is the Primary Concern

While snow is possible, forecast data increasingly favors sleet and freezing rain, especially across the Piedmont. Ice accumulation presents a greater risk than snow because it can:

• Make roads extremely slick

• Weigh down trees and power lines

• Increase the likelihood of power outages

Even modest ice amounts can cause significant issues, especially when precipitation lasts for many hours.

Travel and Power Concerns

Travel may become difficult or impossible at times from Saturday night through Sunday. Conditions could remain hazardous even after precipitation ends due to lingering ice and cold temperatures.

Power outages are possible and, in some areas, could last into early next week if ice accumulation is significant.

Cold Air Follows the Storm

Behind the winter system, arctic air moves into the region. Overnight lows early next week may drop into the single digits, with wind chills potentially reaching dangerous levels. If power outages occur, cold exposure becomes an additional concern.

What You Should Do Now

• Prepare for possible power outages

• Charge phones and backup batteries

• Ensure multiple ways to receive weather alerts

• Check safe backup heating options

• Avoid unnecessary travel once icing begins

• Plan ahead for pets, pipes, and vulnerable individuals

Bottom Line

This is a high-confidence winter weather setup with the potential for widespread impacts, particularly from ice. While details will continue to be refined, now is the time to prepare for hazardous travel, possible power outages, and dangerous cold.

Updates will continue as new information becomes available.