In its latest briefing late this afternoon, the National Weather Service Raleigh bureau is predicting an inch or less of snow for the Roanoke Valley.

The agency said localized higher amounts are possible across the western and southern Piedmont.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for tonight through early Saturday morning.

Dangerous road conditions are expected in some areas with the worst conditions predicted to be along and west of Highway 1.

Wind gusts of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected across all of central North Carolina tonight through Saturday morning.

With the storm comes wind chill values in the teens during the daytime Saturday and single digits Saturday night. The wind chill Saturday night is estimated to be around 9 degrees within the immediate area and even colder further east.

Black ice is expected Saturday night and Sunday morning and again Sunday night and Monday morning.

Light rain is expected to mix with and change to snow this evening through Saturday morning.

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This will be the third straight weekend that the state of North Carolina is preparing for a winter storm.

Governor Roy Cooper and other state leaders are reminding residents to be prepared. “Today is the day to get the essentials you need, so you can stay off the roads tonight and Saturday if conditions are dangerous in your area,” said Governor Cooper.

State emergency leaders remind people to pay close attention to their local forecast.  Accumulating snow could lead to hazardous travel tonight through midday Saturday. 

Winter weather advisories have been issued for much of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, where 1-2 inches of snow is expected, with localized totals up to 3 inches possible.  

A winter storm warning has been issued for Currituck County, where 2-4 inches of snow is expected.  Along the North Carolina/Tennessee border, winter storm warnings remain in effect for areas above 3,500 feet with expected snow totals of 2-5 inches, and 6-8 inches at elevations above 5,000 feet. Winter weather advisories are in effect for those areas below 3,500 feet, where 1-4 inches of snow is expected.

Gusty winds are expected statewide tonight and Saturday, which will bring very cold wind chill values, and could lead to isolated power outages and minor coastal flooding.

North Carolina Department of Transportation crews are preparing equipment for response, and have been pre-treating roads with brine where possible.  If you must drive in winter conditions, the State Highway Patrol advises reducing speed significantly, increasing distance between other vehicles, and clearing all snow and ice from your vehicle before traveling.