A storm system along the Gulf Coast has produced heavy snow over parts of Mississippi and Alabama Thursday morning. That storm system is headed through the Carolinas tonight and will bring rain, cold and even snow.
A brief shower is possible anywhere Thursday, but widespread rain will move into the Pee Dee and Border Belt later this afternoon and along the Grand Strand after dark. The rain could be heavy at times with a half an inch in spots.
Things get more interesting later this evening. As the center of the storm system passes by, moisture on the backside of the system and colder air rushing in will change rain to snow, especially in central and northern North Carolina. Several inches could accumulate mainly on elevated surfaces such as cars and lawns
For us, timing is everything. The moisture will quickly move away as the cold air is arriving. After 10 p.m., any leftover rain will change to snow from west to east along the Border Belt (Lumberton, Laurinburg, Cheraw & Bennettsville).
Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski is expecting little to no accumulation in these areas. Ground temperatures are in the 50's so initially snow will melt. If there was a burst of heavier snow, it would cool the ground quickly, allowing it to stick to grassy surfaces, trees and cars.
For residents across the Pee Dee and on Grand Strand, it looks like the moisture will be gone before it's cold enough for snow. Expect all rain in these areas.
The sun returns Friday and it will be cold with high temperatures in the upper 40s.
Any rain or snow area wide should end by 2 a.m.
