snOMG’26: National Weather Service issues storm warning

Jan. 21 – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch ahead of this weekend’s potential wintry weather. The watch is in effect from Saturday morning through 1 p.m. Monday.

The advisory covers northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and South Carolina’s Upstate. Heavy mixed precipitation is possible, including total snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 6 inches. Ice accumulations of up to 1 inch are also possible.

“Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages,” the NWS said. “Ice- and snow-covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable. Widespread power outages are likely due to the weight of the ice and snow on tree limbs and power lines. Outages could last for days in some areas. Hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.”

The highest snow and sleet totals are possible north of Interstate 40. The greatest ice accumulations are expected in the southern mountains of North Carolina, the mountains of northeast Georgia and the mountains of South Carolina.