A winter storm watch has been issued for much of North Carolina, including the Charlotte area, as the state prepares for snow later this week. The watch will go into effect in most counties on Friday morning and will last through Saturday morning.

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.

Governor Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina in anticipation of severe winter weather.

A winter storm warning will be in effect beginning Friday evening through Saturday afternoon for parts of the northeastern North Carolina and eastern and southeastern Virginia, with heavy snow and a light glaze of ice in the forecast in those areas.

The 1st measurable snow in nearly 3 years is happening and could cause road problems this weekend, so the CBS 17 Storm Team has issued a Weather Alert Day Friday & Saturday. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of central North Carolina for Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.