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Heavy rain in Charlotte, snow and ice in mountains and foothills

Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said up to a tenth of an inch of ice could impact the mountains. And snow will only make it worse.
Credit: WCNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The wet weather in the Carolinas is expected to continue Wednesday and into the weekend as the Charlotte area faces periods of heavy rain and showers. 

In the mountains, higher elevations saw 2-3 inches of snow with ice and sleet on top of that. The winter weather forced several schools in the foothills and mountains to be closed or delayed Wednesday. First Warn forecaster Larry Sprinkle said downtown Boone saw 1-2 inches of snow. 

A winter storm warning in the mountains is in effect through 4 p.m. Wednesday. A winter weather advisory for the foothills is in effect until noon. 

The mountains saw even more icy mix Wednesday morning and the ice is expected to linger with below-freezing temperatures in the forecast Wednesday night. 

"It's going to be a short event but any time you have ice, you always worry," Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said. "There could be a little snow — not a ton — but any amount, even if it's only an inch, would be bad news because on top that there's going to be a glaze of ice."

Panovich said he received multiple reports of sleet and even some wet snowflakes along the state line Tuesday morning. Fortunately, the ground temperature is well above freezing so there's no chance of accumulations. 

In Charlotte, there's no snow or ice, just rain. And plenty of it. 

"Rain will be the big story for all us," Panovich said. "We're going to see heavy rain going into the weekend and next week."

Wednesday's high in Charlotte is only expected to reach the upper 30s while the rest of the week is closer to normal with temperatures in the mid-50s through Saturday. 

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