ROCKINGHAM — Much of central and eastern North Carolina, including Richmond County is under a cold weather advisory.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory Wednesday afternoon, effective from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. Thursday.
With mostly clear skies, temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees overnight, with a light north wind making it feel closer to 5-10 degrees, according to the forecast. Wind gusts overnight and throughout the day Thursday could reach 20 mph.
The NWS warns that exposure to the frigid temps could lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
Residents are also encouraged to keep pets indoors as much as possible and keep a check on older friends, neighbors and family members.
The high on Thursday is expected to reach 40 degrees, with overnight lows again dipping to around 19 degrees into Friday morning ahead of winter precipitation.
Forecasters are predicting a 40% chance of snow in Richmond County in the early afternoon hours before changing over to a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain overnight — with lows dipping below freezing — and into Saturday morning.
City crews were treating the roads in Rockingham on Wednesday ahead of the predicted wintry mix.
Although skies are expected to be mostly clear for the weekend and early next week, the warmest day will be Monday, with a high around 50, before temps start dropping again. Overnight lows through Tuesday will be in the mid-20s.