Charlotte and surrounding areas are under a winter storm warning through Saturday morning, National Weather Service forecasters said.

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Queen City News’ interactive radar is tracking snow and freezing rain as it moves across the Charlotte area Friday afternoon into the evening hours. Friday and Saturday are a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day as snow, ice, and rain will all be likely heading into the weekend.

A winter storm is set to bring the first significant snowfall to Charlotte in nearly three years. Here's the latest on timing, trends and potential impacts.

It is becoming increasingly likely that freezing rain and sleet will be mixing into the forecast Friday night into Saturday morning.

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.

The timing for the storm Friday has moved up slightly with wintry weather now expected to move in around lunchtime and last until roughly sunrise on Saturday. WINTER STORM WARNING: Click here for live,

Hardware stores in the Charlotte area are experiencing a rush for winter weather supplies as residents prepare for snow and ice this weekend. At Southern Hardware in west Charlotte, shelves typically stocked with winter essentials are rapidly emptying as customers scramble to prepare for the incoming storm.

A storm moving eastward across the U.S. this week was set to reach the Carolinas by Friday, bringing wintry weather with it. Measurable snow was in the forecast for the Charlotte area on Friday, Jan.

Charlotte has a 100% chance of snow, sleet and freezing rain from the approaching system, National Weather Service forecasters said.