Hundreds of Charlotte flights cancelled ahead of ‘life-threatening’ ice storm

Hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Saturday ahead of an ice storm expected to shut down the region into Monday.

By 1 p.m. Saturday, at least 437 flights were cancelled, most all of them on American Airlines and its affiliated carriers, according to tracking site Flight Aware.

“CLT will remain open and operational, but travelers should expect significant impacts across the network,” airport officials posted on X at 11:30 a.m.

Charlotte can expect up to a debilitating three-quarters of an inch of ice from the winter storm forecast to bring freezing rain to Mecklenburg and surrounding counties late Saturday through Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologists said.

“A major ice storm is still on tap,” NWS forecasters said on Facebook at 7 a.m. Saturday. ”Make sure to finish any preparations today. Precipitation rates ramp up this evening.”

“Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages,” according to an NWS ice warning bulletin. “Trees and large limbs could fall on structures, posing threat to life and property.”

“Ice and snow covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable,” the NWS said.

Hazardous conditions could affect Monday’s commute, forecasters said.

Light snow and sleet moved across the Appalachians into the western Carolinas around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service reported.

“Impacts will be relatively low this morning, but cooling temps set the stage for much greater winter impacts later this afternoon and evening,” NWS meteorologists said on social media site X.

A state of emergency began at noon for Mecklenburg County and “will remain until it’s safe to end it,” the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office posted on X.

The declaration allows for increased public safety staffing and bans price increases.

The town of Davidson activated its emergency operations center at 6 a.m. Saturday. “Public safety personnel are in place to respond to emergencies throughout the weather event,” according to a town news release.

At 1 p.m., the town of Mooresville closed all public town buildings, including the Charles Mack Citizen Center, Mooresville Public Library east and west branches, Mooresville Skate Park and all recreation centers.

White House approves NC emergency declaration

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Saturday said the White House approved his request for a statewide emergency declaration. That will enable the state to get more generators to hospitals and shelters, access emergency fuel for state vehicles responding to storm incidents, and get U.S. Forest Service help clearing roads in state forests, Stein said at a news conference.

“We are grateful for their partnership and quick response,” Stein said on X.

Once the storm hits, stay home and off the roads, “unless absolutely necessary,” Stein urged.

“Be prepared for potential power outages, and make sure you have a plan to stay warm and in contact with loved ones,” the governor said.

Charlotte forecast: Single-digit lows

Charlotte has a 100% chance of freezing rain and sleet late Saturday and early Sunday, and a 100% chance of freezing rain mixed with sleet on Sunday, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast.

“The sleet could be heavy at times” late Saturday and early Sunday, according to the forecast.

All freezing rain is forecast after noon Sunday, “with new ice accumulation of 0.2 to 0.4 of an inch possible,” the forecast showed. “New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.”

The NWS forecasts highs of 34 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday, and lows of 21 late Saturday and early Sunday and 28 late Sunday and early Monday.

Monday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 38, although the low could plummet to 8 degrees late Monday and early Tuesday, 17 degrees late Tuesday and early Wednesday, 18 late Wednesday and early Thursday and 12 degrees late Thursday and early Friday, according to the NWS.

“The cold lingering into next Monday will impact folks’ ability to travel,” Stein said at Saturday’s news conference.

Drivers should check DriveNC.gov for the latest road conditions in their areas, he said.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

This story was originally published January 24, 2026 at 10:34 AM.