The North Carolina Department of Transportation is expected to give an update Thursday morning on their plans to protect people from this weekend’s winter storm.

This system will start initially as snowfall Friday afternoon and evening; however, freezing rain and sleet will mix in with the snow Friday night due to warmer air in the upper levels of the atmosphere.

CHARLOTTE — North Carolina General Assembly members have been sworn into office. They will not be on hiatus for the next three weeks before officially starting session. New members include Woodson Bradley, the state senator for Matthews and south Charlotte, and North Mecklenburg House Representative Beth Helfrich.

A strong winter storm will push across the country over the coming days, bringing numerous impacts. We continue to track the latest with the system, including new watches, and the potential for all types of precipitation.