The NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued a winter storm watch at 3:56 a.m. on Saturday valid from Sunday 7 a.m. until Monday 7 a.m. The watch is for Madison, Yancey, Mitchell and Haywood counties.

Winter weather alerts are in effect for parts of the North Carolina and Virginia Mountains beginning Sunday morning through early Monday morning. Near normal highs in the low 50s and upper 40s are likely Sunday before the cold front slides into the Triad for the afternoon.

A storm system is expected to glide along the Gulf Coast and the East Coast, providing the chance of winter weather for areas that don't often see it. The coast will likely see more snow than the mountains through next Wednesday.

The NWS has issued storm and extreme cold warnings this weekend as powerful Arctic winds plunge temperatures nationwide.

BLACK ICE MAIN ROADS MAY BE OKAY, BUT AS A SIDE ROAD STILL AND THE PARKING LOTS AND AREAS THAT ARE SHADED THAT WE’RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH 49 DEGREES FOR AN AFTERNOON HIGH. GOOD SUNSHINE. AND WE’RE TAKING YOUR TEMPERATURES FROM 21 IN THE FOOTHILLS.

Winter weather alerts are in effect for parts of the North Carolina and Virginia Mountains beginning Sunday morning through early Monday morning. Near normal highs in the low 50s and upper 40s are likely Sunday before the cold front slides into the Triad for the afternoon.

A cold January is bringing waves of arctic air to the Carolinas, keeping high temperatures nearly 10 degrees below average this month. Although the cold air is expected to ease up for some days, the weather next week will be impactful. Click the video player above to watch the latest headlines from WXII 12 News.

North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast, make sure they are prepared with what they need at home before Friday afternoon, and stay home if possible as ice on the roadways will likely create dangerous driving conditions.

Patchy rain and light flurries are possible in the Piedmont Triad on Sunday. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Boone southward.

A Severe Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of central North Carolina for Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. Snow, sleet, and ice will mix into the area and could cause slick roads, bridges, and overpasses.

On Saturday at 3:33 p.m. a winter storm warning was issued by the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC valid from Sunday 7 a.m. until Monday 7 a.m. The warning is for Madison, Yancey, Mitchell and Haywood counties.