A wintry mix is set to impact the Triangle and areas to the north on Friday, with snow and ice possible early in the day before transitioning to all rain by the afternoon. The system could end as a mix again by evening.

Snow accumulation is expected to be around an inch or less, with minor ice potential north of the Triangle during the morning hours.

The wintry mix will likely create slow and messy commutes Friday morning, with rain continuing through the afternoon. Be prepared for tricky travel conditions.

Here’s a timeline for Friday’s weather:

4 a.m.: Snow showers and a wintry mix begin.

10 a.m.: Transition to a mix of rain, snow, and wet conditions.

12 p.m.: Rain takes over, melting any snow or slush.

Evening: Lingering showers possible.

Looking ahead, the 7-day forecast shows chilly temperatures sticking around:

Wednesday: Bright and chilly, with highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, highs in the low 50s, lows in the low 30s.

Friday: First Alert Day. Wintry mix transitioning to cold rain, with highs in the upper 30s and lows in the low 30s.

Saturday: Cloudy with isolated showers, highs in the mid to upper 40s, and lows in the upper 20s.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, highs in the upper 40s, and lows in the low 30s.

Monday: Partly cloudy, highs in the low 40s, and lows in the low 20s.

Tuesday: Chilly, with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the low 30s.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — Michael Whatley, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is now officially in the running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Whatley shared photos of himself filing at the State Board of Elections via his “Michael Whatley for Senate” Facebook page.

“It’s official! I am running for Senate to fight for every family across North Carolina,” the post said. “I am honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and will work every day to create jobs, raise wages, lower costs and keep our communities safe.

RNC CHAIR MICHAEL WHATLEY ANNOUNCES BID FOR NORTH CAROLINA’S OPEN SENATE SEAT

Whatley served as the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from March 2024 to August 2025 before resigning to pursue the Senate seat.

In July, President Donald Trump announced his official endorsement of Whatley. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his support for Whatley, calling him “one of the most capable executives in our country.”

“So, should Michael Whatley run for the Senate, please let this notification represent my complete and total endorsement,” Trump wrote in the July 2025 post.

TRUMP ENDORSES MICHAEL WHATLEY FOR NORTH CAROLINA SENATE SEAT IN 2026

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Trump appointed Whatley to oversee recovery efforts throughout western North Carolina. During a visit to western North Carolina in January 2025, Trump said Whatley’s role as a hurricane recovery “czar” would be to help push recovery forward and get money to the region.

In September, residents and business owners from Black Mountain and Swannanoa held a press conference where they criticized Whatley, claiming they had not seen any efforts from him.

Read more: ‘OUR NEEDS ARE URGENT’: WNC RESIDENTS SAY MICHAEL WHATLEY ISN’T HELPING AFTER HELENE

Jonathan Felts, Michael Whatley’s spokesperson for his Senate campaign, sent News 13 the following statement after this press conference:

“While Roy Cooper botched multiple hurricane responses because he was too distracted freeing violent criminals to ravage our streets, Michael Whatley stepped in with President Trump to fix the Cooper-Biden hurricane disaster. It’s only because of President Trump and Michael Whatley that billions – including over $220 million direct for hurricane recovery – has been secured for the citizens of North Carolina that Roy Cooper betrayed and failed as Governor.”

FILING OPENS FOR 2026 NC ELECTION CANDIDATES, INCLUDING HIGH-PROFILE SENATE RACE

Whatley will face off against former Gov. Roy Cooper in the race for North Carolina’s open Senate seat in 2026. This comes after Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced in June that he will not seek re-election.

A Democrat has not won a U.S. Senate election in North Carolina since 2008.

As of Tuesday evening, the former Democratic governor has not yet officially filed his candidacy.