Our Duke Energy teams continue to monitor this weekend’s impending weather. Like your communities, we are utilizing this time to prepare based on the current forecasts. Below is the current weather information from our meteorologists.
Weather Report
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Saturday morning through early Monday afternoon for the entire area.
Confidence is high that a winter storm system will affect the area this weekend with widespread impacts. However, precipitation types and amounts are highly uncertain. However, regardless of precipitation types or amounts, it is important to understand that there will be widespread impacts, including hazardous travel conditions and power outages, that could linger into the beginning of next week.
Latest model guidance suggests that precipitation will not arrive until later on Saturday. While the system moves into the area, the colder air appears to have a slight delay in arrival. As a result, this means more sleet/ice looks to be the dominant precipitation for this event. Best chances for accumulating snowfall will be for locations north of I-40, especially near the NC/VA border.
The challenge with this event will be the duration of sleet versus freezing rain across the area. Freezing rain will accrete on trees and power lines whereas sleet will “bounce” off surfaces. Longer duration of sleet will result in lower freezing rain accretion. The potential exists for widespread 0.50” total ice accumulations with locally higher amounts, especially near and northwest of I-85.
It cannot be stressed enough that the details of this storm system remain very uncertain and there will likely be changes to precipitation amounts and type with every model run. The focus at this time should be preparations for a significant winter storm. Regardless of precipitation there will be plenty of moisture available with this storm system. Wintry precipitation, whether it is ice, sleet, or snow are going to have widespread impacts making for hazardous travel and power outages that could last for days.
Above is a graphic that shows the difference between snow versus sleet versus freezing rain. The forecasting challenge is the depth of the “above 32°F” zone and whether there is enough time for the liquid droplets to fully refreeze prior to contacting the ground.
Then, in the wake of this storm system, an arctic air mass builds across the region next week. Tuesday morning will be the coldest next week with readings in the upper single digits and lower teens.
Please remember, the National Weather Service is your official provider of weather information.
Below is a coy of the news release we issued this morning by Duke Energy:
Jan. 22, 2026
Duke Energy urges Carolinas customers to prepare for multiday outages from Winter Storm Fern
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy is preparing for Winter Storm Fern and encourages customers across the Carolinas to prepare now and stay safe ahead of possible multiday power outages.
The latest
Winter Storm Fern could bring snow, sleet or freezing rain as soon as Saturday, creating hazardous travel conditions and, in areas with heavy ice accumulation, the potential for extended outages.
Winter precipitation can increase the risk of power outages.
-A quarter inch of ice can bring down trees and branches onto power lines.
-A half inch or more can weigh down the lines themselves.
-Six inches of heavy, wet snow can cause similar problems.
-Tree and vegetation crews are trimming in advance of the storm to reduce outage risks.
-More than 18,000 workers will be ready to respond as soon as conditions are safe.
This includes Duke Energy lineworkers based in the Carolinas, third-party vegetation and power line crews, and Duke Energy lineworkers from Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
Duke Energy serves about 4.7 million electric customers in the Carolinas – about 3.8 million in North Carolina and nearly 860,000 in South Carolina.
What Duke Energy is doing
Monitoring forecasts from its meteorologists.
-Mobilizing thousands of lineworkers, tree crews and support staff across the Carolinas.
-Staging equipment in key areas for faster response.
-Setting up mobile command centers, staging sites and basecamps to accommodate visiting storm workers.
-Preparing to rapidly deploy damage assessors, tree crews and lineworkers once conditions are safe for travel.
-Coordinating with local and state emergency management officials.
What customers should do right now
Make a plan and prepare an emergency kit: This includes charging phones, gathering flashlights and extra batteries, and other easy, critical actions.
Use the enhanced American Red Cross Emergency app: The free app, sponsored by the Duke Energy Foundation, offers emergency checklists, interactive maps of open shelters and the ability to monitor multiple locations for weather alerts.
Download or update the Duke Energy smartphone app: Available via Apple Store or Google Play.
Confirm Duke Energy account login info: Log in via My Account or mobile app to review and update contact info and communications preferences.
Sign up for outage alerts: Receive outage information and restoration updates by text, phone or email.
Know how to report an outage: Submit outage reports online, via mobile app, by texting OUT to 57801 or calling 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).
What customers should expect
Safety first: Stay away from downed power lines and storm debris. Use generators safely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Grid improvements help speed restoration: Duke Energy has upgraded poles and wires, placed outage-prone lines underground and added smart, self-healing technology that can reroute power automatically – helping reduce outages and speed restoration.
Outages still possible: Despite these improvements, severe weather can still cause extended outages, especially in areas with downed trees or debris.
Restoration takes time: Crews will begin assessing damage and restoring power as soon as it’s safe. In some areas, restoration may be delayed due to blocked roads, hidden damage or hazardous travel conditions.
Our view
Rick Canavan, Duke Energy storm director: “While the forecast is still uncertain, it’s very possible that we could experience the Carolinas’ most extreme winter storm in over 20 years.
“Our teams are tracking this storm closely, getting equipment and crews in place now so we can respond quickly once it’s safe. Because winter weather can change quickly, we want customers to have the information they need and be prepared before conditions deteriorate.”
