A Winter Weather Watch has been issued for Charlotte and surrounding areas through Thursday evening (February 18) as freezing rain and ice could cause a "significant amount of problems," WCNC reports. Much of the country continues to face harsh conditions from a winter storm that has left dozens dead and impacted power for millions of people across the country.
Areas north of Charlotte are expected to get hit harder by ice accumulation, with some regions getting as much as .4 inches of ice. Regardless of significant accumulation, freezing rain could cause roadways to become slick and electrical lines to be overpowered by ice. While snow isn't expected from the storm, the freezing rain is anticipated to continue Thursday night and into Friday morning.
"Temperature is a major factor in these situations," said WCNC's Larry Sprinkle. "Even if the air temperature is above freezing at the surface, elevated areas could easily have temperatures at freezing or below. That's why bridges and overpasses can be dangerous, and why power lines and tree limbs can get a coating of ice."
With the threat of harsh winter weather comes the potential for power outages. Check here to find out what to do and how to prepare for the power to go out.
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