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  • 16 to 18 inches of snow fell in Charlotte area. It won’t melt Sunday, experts say

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    Driving is considered dangerous but many people ignored the warnings. In once instance, a Charlotte driver left the road and landed in a retention pond late Saturday, the Charlotte Fire Department reports.

    Driving is considered dangerous but many people ignored the warnings. In once instance, a Charlotte driver left the road and landed in a retention pond late Saturday, the Charlotte Fire Department reports.

    Charlotte Fire Department photo

    The Charlotte area surpassed worst-case scenarios for snow accumulations Saturday, and there is little chance of it melting on Sunday, forecasters say.

    That means driving conditions will not improve Monday.

    Charlotte had a 1 in 10 chance of getting 14 inches of snow Saturday, but video shared by the National Weather Service shows 16 to 18 inches accumulated in parts of Concord, Kannapolis, High Rock Lake and Rockwell.

    Temperatures remain dangerously cold in the Charlotte area, with a low of around 9 degrees expected Sunday night, the National Weather Service says.
    Temperatures remain dangerously cold in the Charlotte area, with a low of around 9 degrees expected Sunday night, the National Weather Service says. National Weather Service map

    The snow switched flipped off around midnight Saturday, as temperatures hit 16 degrees with a minus 1 degree wind chill.

    “So far the highest totals we’ve seen with this storm have been out of Cabarrus and Rowan Counties with some big totals across the northern Charlotte metro as well!” the National Weather Service reported late Saturday. “Very impressive heavy snow band this afternoon helped drop big totals!”

    One snow band pivoted across the Interstate 77 corridor late Saturday, dropping 1 to 2 inches per hour, NWS forecasters say.

    AccuWeather reports accumulations of 12 to 16 inches in the Charlotte area, including 11 inches at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. More than 800 flights had been cancelled as of 6:30 a.m. Sunday, FlightAware reports.

    No melting is expected Sunday, though the sun may compact the snow, making it appear melting occurred, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told The Charlotte Observer.

    “It’s going to be a difficult stretch, with snow on the ground at least through Tuesday,” Buckingham said.

    “It will begin to melt some on Monday and by the end of the day, we could see half the snow gone. But even if it gets above freezing, slushy areas will refreeze at night, turning into concrete ice. Secondary streets could see issues into midweek”

    He added that the event “was a storm for the books.”

    The NWS and countless law enforcement agencies warned people not to drive in the Charlotte area, but that didn’t stop some from trying it. The N.C. State Highway Patrol reported more than 800 calls for service across the state as of 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

    In one of the more unusual crashes, a pickup left the road and landed in a retention pond along Jerimoth Drive, the Charlotte Fire Department reported. It happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and the driver was found standing in the bed of the truck, waiting for rescue. It took about an hour to bring the motorist to shore, using an inflatable raft.

    A high in the lower 30s is forecast Sunday for Mecklenburg County, with a low of around 9 degrees, National Weather Service says.

    “Temperatures will remain very cold early this week. Temperatures across portions of the area are likely to remain below freezing until at least Monday afternoon,” the National Weather Service says.

    “As this period of unusually cold weather continues, the potential for damage to infrastructure, including burst water pipes, will steadily increase.”

    Weight on the snow power lines and nearby trees is expected to cause power outages though the day Sunday. As of 7:30 a.m., just under 7,500 outages were reported, ReadyNC.gov said.

    Northbound Interstate 85 has reopened in Cabarrus County after dozens of vehicles, including over two dozen tractor trailers, got stuck in the snow late Saturday, the NC State Highway Patrol reports.
    Northbound Interstate 85 has reopened in Cabarrus County after dozens of vehicles, including over two dozen tractor trailers, got stuck in the snow late Saturday, the NC State Highway Patrol reports. N.C. Highway Patrol photo

    This story was originally published February 1, 2026 at 6:57 AM.

    Mark Price

    The Charlotte Observer

    Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

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    Mark Price

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  • Chicago weather: Winter Storm Warning for several inches of snow, dangerous travel conditions | LIVE

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — A massive winter storm sweeping across the U.S. brought several inches of snow to the Chicago area on Sunday.

    The winter weather has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at Chicago airports and led to school districts across the area announcing closures for Monday.

    Sunday has the highest number of flight cancellations nationwide in a single day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While all major airlines are offering travel waivers, the disruption across the board is huge.

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Cook County until 6 p.m. Sunday, Lake County, Indiana until 8 p.m. Sunday, Porter County, Indiana until midnight Monday and LaPorte County, Indiana until 9 a.m. Monday.

    A Winter Weather Advisory went into effect for much of the area on Saturday night. DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lake (Ill.) and Livingston counties will be under the advisory until 6 p.m. Sunday. Newton and Jasper counties will be under the advisory until 9 p.m. Sunday. Lake (Ind.) and Porter counties will be under the advisory until midnight Monday.

    The Chicago weather forecast Sunday had a Winter Storm Warning and over 10 inches of snow in some areas. Many O’Hare and Midway flights were canceled.

    Snowfall totals as of 5 p.m. Sunday:
    – Chicago (Loop): 10.5 inches
    – Chicago (Bronzeville): 8.0 inches
    – Chicago (Navy Pier): 7.0 inches
    – Porter, Indiana: 6.0 inches
    – Northbrook: 5.5 inches
    – Midway: 4.4 inches
    – O’Hare: 3.5 inches
    – Oak Lawn: 2.7 inches
    – Naperville: 2.0 inches
    – Elmhurst: 1.7 inches
    – Elk Grove: 1.4 inches
    – Aurora: 0.8 inches

    The lake effect will not start to ramp up in northwest Indiana until around 8 p.m., so there will be a bit of a lull as the spray of snowfall migrates there.

    Cook County was expected to get another inch or so of snow between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., with Porter County looking at another 2 to 3 inches between about 8 p.m. Sunday and midnight Monday.

    The winter blast has caused air travel troubles across the country, with thousands of flights canceled nationwide.

    Chicago airport flight cancellations and delays as of 3 p.m. Sunday:
    – O’Hare: 626 cancellations, delays averaging 21 minutes
    – Midway: 111 cancellations, delays averaging less than 15 minutes

    The inside of O’Hare Terminal 1 sat nearly empty Sunday, with more than 600 flights canceled leading some stranded passengers to give up on flying altogether as a means to get home.

    “My flight has been canceled twice so far, but I made it here from international, so I’m probably driving to Columbus,” traveler Abel Girma said. “I don’t want to wait another two days.”

    Several inches of snow hit the Chicago area Sunday, causing hundreds of flight delays and cancellations at airports.

    Charlotte, Atlanta and New York were among the cities with the hardest hit airports nationwide. La Guardia canceled 91% of their scheduled flights. Some major hubs were spending more than $30,000 an hour to keep runways plowed.

    “Flight was fine. It wasn’t delayed until we go here,” Chicago traveler Miranda Vordermark said. “Then we sat on the tarmac for about an hour, I think because the snow.”

    “We were supposed to leave Hartford on Monday, but supposedly they’re getting 10-15 inches, so we said we said we have to get out of here,” said Rich Smith, who was traveling to Denver.

    On Saturday, a one-hour, non weather-related delay led Rich and Jill Smith to miss their connecting flight to Denver. So, they tried again Sunday.

    “We were lucky we ended up on the same flight as my sister and brother-in-law and we just said, ‘Okay we’ll go over to your house,’” Smith said. “We had pizza last night and a beer.”

    Fortunately for them and others heading west, most of those flights were still at least getting out if not on schedule. That was good new for one happy couple.

    “We going to Vegas to get married,” traveler Tyler Powers said. “Finally tying the knot after a couple of years. I’m really happy and excited, and excited to get away from this storm.”

    And it doesn’t end Sunday. Already nearly 2,000 flights have been canceled for Monday, and airlines haved moved to reposition aircraft and crews.

    The Federal Aviation Administration has also warned about airport closures. The agency says they will be working with airlines and airports on recovery efforts including snow removal and deicing planes.

    Video shows a semi jackknifed on the Dan Ryan near Calumet City on early Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

    Saturday night and early Sunday morning, slick roads covered the area as snow plows worked to keep up with the accumulating snow.

    Chicago Public Schools confirmed it would be open with regular hours on Monday, will many other school districts will be cancelling classes or moving to remote learning.

    READ MORE | School Closings: Chicago Area Complete List

    Next week will remain very cold in Chicago.

    Monday will mark 59 years since the record-breaking 1967 Chicago blizzard, which brought 23 inches of snow. ABC7 AccuWeather meteorologists say just days before the storm, it was about 60 degrees in the area.

    Nearly 60 years ago Chicago saw the most snow fall ever.

    Click here for tips about keeping yourself, others and your pets safe, as well as how to protect your homes and vehicles, in the extreme cold.

    IDOT spokesperson Maria Castaneda joined ABC7 on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

    Cook County Radar DuPage County Radar Will County Radar Lake County Radar (IL) Kane County Radar Northwest Indiana Radar

    Watch the latest forecast:

    At least 20 states declare state of emergency amid winter storm

    SEE ALSO | Warming centers open in city, suburbs as bitter cold moves into Chicago area | Full list

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    Michelle Gallardo

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  • Stock up and stay home during winter storm, Charlotte emergency officials caution

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    Charlotte residents should gather food and supplies now and stay off roads beginning Saturday afternoon, when emergency response officials say the city will face one of the most impactful winter storms in years.

    At a news conference Friday, officials stressed a long few days of widespread power outages and treacherous roads could lie ahead. Charlotte is expected to be one of the hardest hit big cities in the U.S. by the incoming winter storm, The Washington Post reported. Residents should create emergency plans now, officials said.

    “This is not a snow storm. This is not a storm where we wanna go out and play, have our kids outside. We need people to stay off the roads or anywhere near the roads,” said Robert Wike Graham, deputy director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management and division chief at Charlotte Fire.

    Graham anticipates an increase in fires, rescues and emergency service responses. Staying at home when weather deteriorates will allow essential personnel to travel more safely to work.

    Forecasters predict between a quarter of an inch and three-quarters of an inch of ice could coat Charlotte-area surfaces between Saturday and Monday morning. Snow could also be in the mix.

    The two days of wintry precipitation could topple tree limbs and power lines, causing power outages and blocked roads across the county, officials said.

    Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to activate emergency plans and prohibit price gauging.

    What residents can do to prepare for Charlotte winter storm

    The storm will usher in below-freezing temperatures, which Graham said will cause pipes to burst. Residents should make sure they have enough water for several days.

    Residents can prepare by building a kit full of emergency supplies, including flashlights, batteries, medical supplies, fully-charged cell phones and battery-operated radios, Graham said.

    “Usually I tell people have two or three ways of getting news,” Graham said. “We encourage everybody to have emergency radio. The internet might be down.”

    Residents should test their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors now and ensure they know how to operate backup generators if they have them. Generators should remain outside and at least 20 feet away from structures, Graham said.

    Graham recommended nonperishable foods and cautioned residents not to cook indoors with items they don’t typically use. For example, keep charcoal stoves and turkey fryers outdoors.

    Stocking up before the first precipitation falls on Saturday afternoon is key, officials said.

    “Heed the warnings,” said Bret Balamucki, deputy chief at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. “Don’t become the victim yourself, and don’t create a victim by having emergency response have to come to you because you made a choice to go and do something that wasn’t a necessity.”

    How is Charlotte preparing for winter storm?

    Emergency personnel from salt truck drivers to firefighters will be increasing staff in response to the anticipated storm.

    The Charlotte Department of Transportation began pretreating roads Thursday morning with salt brine and will shift to a 24-hour operation on Saturday, said Stephen Bolt, street superintendent with CDOT. Crews will shift their strategy toward fighting ice when the storm arrives tomorrow afternoon.

    The city has “more than enough” salt on hand to respond this weekend, said Alfred Oyoyo, CDOT deputy street superintendent. CDOT crews will prioritize high-volume roads first.

    “We will stay on shift until we completely remove the ice from primaries and our colelctor streets and focus on getting into neighborhoods as we can,” Bolt said.

    Warming shelters are open across the county. Mecklenburg County expanded shelter capacity during the storm to ensure all who need a bed, have one, said Karen Peletier, director of community support at the county.

    The landscape management division will handle roadway cleanup when residents report trees or large objects have fallen onto city property such as roads and sidewalks.

    Residents can expect some wait times since there will likely be widespread damage, said Laurie Reid, the city arborist. Crews will clear downed trees from major roads first before clearing neighborhood streets, Reid said. Sidewalks will likely be cleared under normal operations next week.

    Do not inspect fallen trees or attempt to cut them.

    “It might be your first instinct to go inspect it and see what’s happening, but you don’t know if there’s any utility lines involved, so it’s really important to leave those trees alone and call somebody to deal with it,” Reid said. “It’s really important to allow this cleanup to happen by professionals that are out there.”

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    Nick Sullivan is The Observer’s regional accountability reporter for York County and the South Carolina communities that border Charlotte. He studied journalism at the University of South Carolina, and he previously covered education for The Arizona Republic and The Colorado Springs Gazette.

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  • Ice projections continue to rise for Charlotte as storm nears, forecasters say

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    As of Friday morning, forecasters were predicting anywhere from a quarter of an inch to just under an inch could form on surfaces between 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.

    As of Friday morning, forecasters were predicting anywhere from a quarter of an inch to just under an inch could form on surfaces between 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.

    National Weather Service map

    Estimated ice accumulations continue to edge up as the Charlotte area braces for two days of snow, sleet and freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service.

    As of Friday morning, forecasters are predicting anywhere from a quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch of ice could form on surfaces between 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.

    Snow is far less likely, with an inch or less expected in the region.

    The arrival time of the storm also continues to change, with projections now calling for sleet to start late in the afternoon on Saturday, forecasters say.

    Mostly snow is expected north of Interstate 40 and mostly freezing rain is expected to the south.

    “This is subject to change as we get closer to the event due to the transition line between snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain,” the National Weather Service says.

    “The biggest concern is the ice threat as the current forecast supports a crippling ice storm for a good portion of the area. Ice covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable. Widespread power outages are likely due to the weight of the ice on tree limbs and power lines. The outages could last for days in some areas. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute.”

    Extended power outages in subfreezing temperatures could result from the storm if power lines are impacted ice, AccuWeather meteorologists report.
    Extended power outages in subfreezing temperatures could result from the storm if power lines are impacted ice, AccuWeather meteorologists report. AccuWeather map

    Sleet is expected to arrive in the Charlotte area around 5 p.m. Saturday, with wind gusts of around 23 mph. It will transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain around 8 p.m. and “sleet could be heavy at times,” forecasters say. The low will be around 20.

    On Sunday, there is a 100% chance of freezing rain and sleet that will continue through the night. Temperatures will again fall to around 20 degrees, forecasters say.

    A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for both Carolinas and Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina.

    “We urge people to get prepared now for what’s shaping up to be a very cold period for our state,” N.C. Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said in a news release.

    “Please don’t try to drive once the storm hits unless it is necessary. Please protect yourselves, your families and everyone responding to this storm by being patient and playing it safe.”

    Mark Price

    The Charlotte Observer

    Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

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    Mark Price

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