Fayetteville officials are gearing up for a winter storm as an arctic front is expected to sweep across North Carolina beginning late Friday, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures and the potential for a wintry mix that could disrupt travel and utilities through the weekend.
“Mild weather the rest of the week and then we’ll have the arctic front,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Duncan. “Friday night it’s going to spread cold air across all of North Carolina.”
Duncan said temperatures in Fayetteville are expected to fall below freezing Saturday into Sunday, with lows dipping into the 20s. What remains uncertain is whether Fayetteville will see snow.
“The bigger impacts are probably going to be more freezing rain or sleet,” he said.
On Wednesday, Gov, Josh Stein declared a state of emergency and urged North Carolinians to get ready for the storm.
City of Fayetteville crews are already preparing for the storm’s arrival. Street crews have secured brine—which helps keep ice and snow from bonding to pavement—and will begin pre‑treating city‑maintained roads Thursday morning, according to Communications Manager David Scott. That work will continue through Friday in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation
Salt and sand spreaders are loaded and ready to deploy once precipitation begins, Scott said. Crews will remain on standby throughout the storm to maintain coverage and keep priority routes as safe as possible.
Scott urged residents to stay off the roads once the wintry mix begins.
“Driving at posted speeds could be extremely dangerous when snow and ice are on the road,” he said. “Many vehicles lose traction, especially at higher speeds, resulting in serious accidents and vehicle rollovers.”
The city is also encouraging residents to stock up on essential supplies ahead of the storm and to check with airlines before heading to Fayetteville Regional Airport, where delays or cancellations may occur.
Cumberland County Emergency Services is also taking early steps to prepare. Emergency Services Director Garry Crumpler told CityView the county is sharing updated weather information with local and regional partners, testing emergency equipment, and making preliminary operational decisions ahead of any potential impacts.
He encouraged residents to review winter weather preparedness guidance at ReadyNC.gov, particularly the “Before” section, to make sure their homes, vehicles, and emergency supplies are ready before the storm arrives.
PWC Urges Early Preparation
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission is also gearing up for potential impacts. PWC officials said they prepare year‑round for severe weather by clearing trees away from power lines and inspecting equipment to reduce the risk of outages when ice accumulates.
“Additional crews will be activated when needed to restore power and water services safely and competently as conditions allow,” PWC said in a press release.
One of the biggest causes of outages during winter storms, PWC said, isn’t ice—it’s drivers. Vehicles that lose control on icy roads and strike power poles are the leading cause of winter‑related outages in Fayetteville.
PWC is urging customers to prepare early for the possibility of extended outages. Its Storm Central offers emergency contacts, outage information, and safety guidance.
The utility also reminded residents to use generators safely—always outdoors and away from windows—to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning or electrical hazards. Improper generator hookups can “backfeed” electricity into power lines, endangering both customers and utility crews.
With temperatures expected to plunge, PWC recommends insulating exposed pipes, locating home shutoff valves, and protecting irrigation systems. Letting faucets trickle during the coldest hours can help prevent pipes from freezing.
Government reporter Rachel Heimann Mercader can be reached at rheimann@cityviewnc.com or 910-988-8045.
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