Charlotte, January 26, 2026
A major winter storm has severely impacted Charlotte and the surrounding Carolinas, leading to treacherous road conditions, multiple accidents, and power outages. Throughout Sunday, a mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain created hazardous travel conditions, including a jackknifed tractor-trailer on I-485. Schools and flights faced significant disruptions, and emergency services were mobilized in response to the storm’s effects, prompting a State of Emergency declaration by the governor.
Charlotte, North Carolina
A major winter storm brought widespread disruption to Charlotte and the surrounding Carolinas over the weekend, causing treacherous road conditions, numerous accidents, power outages, and significant travel delays. The severe weather, characterized by a mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain, intensified throughout Sunday, January 25, 2026, leaving a thick layer of ice across the region.
I-485 Accident Highlights Dangerous Conditions
One of the most notable incidents occurred on Sunday when a tractor-trailer jackknifed on Interstate 485 in north Charlotte near the W.T. Harris Boulevard exit. The crash happened amidst severe white-out conditions, where visibility was significantly reduced by the continuous wintry precipitation. Officials reported that the combination of sleet, snow, and freezing rain made road surfaces extremely slick and dangerous, impacting travel throughout the Charlotte metro area. While many roads were initially drivable early Sunday, conditions rapidly worsened as freezing rain continued to fall. Details regarding potential injuries or the involvement of other vehicles in the I-485 incident were not immediately available.
Widespread Impact Across Charlotte Metro
The ice storm, which began late Saturday, January 24, 2026, and reached its peak intensity on Sunday, coated the city with a shimmering layer of ice that continued to accumulate. Forecasters had warned that over a quarter of an inch of ice was expected to accumulate on surfaces in the Charlotte area.
The hazardous conditions led to multiple closures and service interruptions:
- Education: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and other regional districts announced class cancellations for Monday, January 26, 2026.
- Air Travel: Over 1,115 flights were canceled or delayed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, reflecting the storm’s broad impact on air travel.
- Power Outages: Approximately 300 homes in Charlotte experienced power outages, with nearly 1,500 total outages reported across the broader Carolinas due to ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs.
- City Services: Charlotte Solid Waste services, including garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item collection, were canceled for Monday, January 26, and were slated to resume on a one-day delay for the rest of the week.
Temperatures throughout Sunday remained below freezing, barely reaching 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and wind chills hovered around a bone-chilling 16 degrees, exacerbating the hazardous conditions and making outdoor exposure dangerous. Major thoroughfares, such as Eastway Drive, were reported to be covered in a slippery mix of snow and sleet, making even short trips perilous.
Statewide Emergency Response and Conditions
Across North Carolina, the winter storm, sometimes referred to as Winter Storm Fern, prompted a significant emergency response. Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency across North Carolina on Thursday, January 22, 2026, allowing for the mobilization of state resources in anticipation of the storm.
The North Carolina National Guard played a critical role in the state’s preparedness and response efforts. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the North Carolina National Guard mobilized approximately 454 personnel and 179 vehicles statewide. This mobilization represented one of the largest disaster activations in the state since Hurricane Helene in 2024. Their primary missions included keeping highway corridors open, assisting stranded motorists, clearing roadways of downed trees, supplementing first responders, and aiding in commodity distribution.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) was actively involved in managing road conditions. Crews pre-treated roads with nearly 4 million gallons of brine ahead of the storm and continued to spread salt and sand on interstates, primary, and secondary roads, bridges, and overpasses. State officials, including Governor Stein and the State Transportation Secretary, repeatedly urged drivers to avoid all non-essential travel, emphasizing that clearing ice is more challenging than clearing snow and that road conditions would remain dangerous for several days.
An Ice Storm Warning was in effect for much of the region, including Charlotte, until 1 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026. Forecasters warned of continued freezing rain and arctic cold temperatures, with lows potentially dropping to 11°F, posing risks of hypothermia and frostbite. Ice accumulation on roadways was anticipated to linger through at least Monday, with some areas possibly affected into Tuesday.
In a separate incident on Sunday, January 25, 2026, an 18-wheeler truck slid on ice and rolled over on Interstate 85 in Gastonia, NC. The truck was carrying a heavy load and began sliding on ice and snow before overturning in the afternoon, landing in the middle of the interstate. No other vehicles appeared to be involved in this crash.
Key Impacts of the Winter Storm in Charlotte and North Carolina
| Impact Category | Details | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Major Traffic Incident | Tractor-trailer jackknifed on I-485 in north Charlotte near W.T. Harris Boulevard on Jan 25, 2026. | Charlotte |
| Road Conditions | Treacherous travel conditions due to white-out conditions, sleet, snow, and freezing rain; ice accumulation expected to linger through Monday, possibly Tuesday. | Charlotte Metro, Statewide |
| School Closures | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and other regional districts canceled classes for Monday, Jan 26, 2026. | Charlotte, Regional |
| Air Travel Disruption | Over 1,115 flights canceled or delayed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. | Charlotte |
| Power Outages | Approximately 300 homes affected in Charlotte; nearly 1,500 outages across the Carolinas. | Charlotte, Carolinas |
| State of Emergency Declaration | Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on Jan 22, 2026, to mobilize resources. | State-level (North Carolina) |
| National Guard Mobilization | Approximately 454 personnel and 179 vehicles mobilized statewide on Jan 24, 2026, for highway clearance, motorist assistance, and commodity distribution. | State-level (North Carolina) |
| NCDOT Response | Pre-treated roads with nearly 4 million gallons of brine; ongoing salting and plowing efforts across state-maintained roads. | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Another Truck Incident | 18-wheeler truck slid on ice and rolled over on Interstate 85 in Gastonia, NC, on Jan 25, 2026. | Gastonia, NC |
| Temperature and Warnings | Temperatures below freezing, wind chills around 16°F; arctic cold and risks of hypothermia/frostbite warned for coming days. Ice Storm Warning in effect until 1 p.m. Monday, Jan 26, 2026. | Charlotte, Regional |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
