Western NC braces for 'major winter storm'. Here's the latest outlook

Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times

Wed, January 21, 2026 at 4:06 PM UTC

4 min read

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Confidence that a major winter storm will hit much of North Carolina this week is only increasing.

The National Weather Service stated in an outlook that it is becoming more likely that the storm will bring wintry precipitation including snow, sleet and freezing rain, to parts of N.C., as well as to Upstate South Carolina and Northeast Georgia.

With the storm beginning to roll in tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 22, in Western North Carolina, here's what to know.

Will it snow in Asheville, Western NC, this week?

According to a hazardous weather outlook from the westher service issued Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 3:27 a.m., the Piedmont and Western regions of North Carolina as well as Upstate South Carolina and Northeast Georgia are expected to be hit with a "major winter storm" beginning Thursday, Jan. 22.

The storm will bring "significant wintry precipitation" across the area through the weekend, with hazardous travel and power outages likely, potentially lasting through early next week. Cold wind chills may also develop Monday night, Jan. 26, into Tuesday morning, Jan. 27.

What day will it snow in Asheville, Western North Carolina, this week?

According to forecasts from the weather service, chances of snow in the Asheville area begin Friday, Jan. 23, with a 40% chance of snow in the late-night hours and a low temperature of around 23 degrees.

On Saturday, Jan. 24, the chances continue, with an 80% chance of snow before 4 p.m., then snow and freezing rain, and a daytime high temperature of around 30 degrees. Overnight, snow and freezing rain will continue before 2 a.m., then snow, freezing rain and sleet is predicted at 100% likelihood. The nighttime low temperature will be around 17 degrees.

The final day of snow chances is on Sunday, Jan. 25, with snow and freezing rain 70% likely before 3 p.m., then a chance of snow. The daytime high will be 33 degrees. Overnight, a 30% chance of snow will persist before midnight, with a low temperature of around 14 degrees.

Western North Carolina, Asheville weather radar

Western NC, Asheville weather warnings

Asheville, Western North Carolina, weather forecast this week, Jan. 21-25

Wednesday, Jan. 21 - Increasing clouds, with a high near 49 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming south 5-10 mph in the morning. Overnight, a 20% chance of rain after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30 degrees. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday, Jan. 22 - Mostly sunny, with a high near 51 degrees. Calm wind becoming north northwest 5-7 mph in the morning. Overnight, a 40% chance of rain, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31 degrees. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than .1 inches possible.

Friday, Jan. 23 - A 30% chance of rain, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46 degrees. Calm wind becoming north northwest 5-8 mph in the morning. Overnight, a 40% chance of snow, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23 degrees.

Saturday, Jan. 24 - Snow before 4 p.m., then snow and freezing rain. High near 30 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Overnight, snow and freezing rain before 2 a.m., then snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Low around 17 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Sunday, Jan. 25 - Snow and freezing rain likely before 3 p.m., then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Overnight, a 30% chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14 degrees.

Hendersonville, NC, weather outlook for Jan. 21-25

Wednesday, Jan. 21 - Partly sunny, with a high near 46 degrees. South southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Overnight, mostly cloudy, with a low around 30 degrees. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Thursday, Jan. 22 - A 20% chance of rain after 3 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52 degrees. West northwest wind around 6 mph. Overnight, a 40% chance of rain, mainly after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34 degrees. Light northwest wind. New precipitation amounts of less than .1 inches possible.

Friday, Jan. 23 - A 40% chance of rain, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46 degrees. Calm wind becoming north 5-7 mph in the morning. Overnight, a slight chance of rain before 10 p.m., then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday, Jan. 24 - Snow likely before 3 p.m., then snow and freezing rain. High near 28 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Overnight, snow and freezing rain before 9 p.m., then snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Low around 16 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Sunday, Jan. 25 - Snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 2 p.m., then a chance of snow and freezing rain between 2-3 p.m., then a chance of freezing rain after 3 p.m. High near 30 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Overnight, a 30% chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17 degrees.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: When will it snow in Asheville, Western NC, this week? Latest outlook

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