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 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.

A winter storm watch was upgraded on Thursday to a winter storm warning for parts of North and South Carolina as a storm approaches the region. A winter storm was expected to reach the region by as early as mid-to-late morning on Friday,

Most of the Mid-South can expect between four and six inches of snow with some isolated areas seeing as much as eight inches. This includes parts of East Arkansas, North Mississippi, Southeast Missouri and West Tennessee.

Before the weather system’s arrival, crews will apply a brine solution to interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses in anticipation of freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow.