Snow, sleet, rain will make for messy Monday

WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said that rain will continue for much of Sunday night and Monday morning, leaving only wet roads as commuters head to work. As temperatures drop throughout the day, the potential for snow increases, particularly in northern counties.

"We're fine tonight, we're OK for the morning commute. It's just going to be rain," Wilmoth said. "We'll have to watch Monday very closely."

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Wake County from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday. Alamance, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Vance and Warren counties are also under an advisory.

Colder air drifting in from the north will drop temperatures into the 30s by Monday afternoon and rain will transition to a wintry mix in the Triangle and snow to the north by about 3 p.m. By the evening commute, snow could make its way into Wake County, making for a messy ride home.

"This is likely going to be a problematic evening commute tomorrow," Wilmoth said.

Areas north and northwest of the Triangle could see up to 2 inches of accumulation, and areas east and south of Raleigh will see mostly rain. Wilmoth said the Triangle could see anywhere from a trace to half an inch of snow, mainly on grassy surfaces.

Wilmoth said the odds of Raleigh getting more than 1 inch of snow are between 20 percent and 30 percent while the odds of counties closer to the Virginia border seeing an inch of snow are between 40 percent and 50 percent.

Despite the low risk of accumulation, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement Sunday afternoon warning North Carolinians to be prepared for the winter weather.

"We don't expect tremendous impacts from this latest cold front for most of our state, but we also don't want North Carolinians to be caught off guard," Cooper said. "Given the cold, wet and messy forecast, we want everyone to watch the weather closely and heed the directions of local officials."

North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Abbott said Sunday's rain prevented crews from brining in preparation for the snow, but crews will ready to deal with any slick spots, including bridges and ramps, as the snow moves in.

Wilmoth said below-freezing temperatures on Monday night could cause black ice on some roadways Tuesday morning.

Tuesday will be warmer, in the 50s, before temperatures drop again on Wednesday ahead of a warmer, spring-like weekend with temperatures in the mid-60s.