A system arriving in the area Friday will bring a chance for rain, snow, and ice to the Upstate and western North Carolina.

As winter weather approaches the Big Country and a wintry mix sits in the forecast, it’s a good time to break down the differences between the various types of winter precipitation and when they occur.

We have a small window overnight Friday into Saturday where temperatures will be cold enough to support significant snow development.

Welcome to winter! Temperatures all week long will remain well below normal with highs in the lower to mid-30s and lows in the lower to mid-20s. Cold enough that you’ll want to drip your faucets at night to be safe.

Friday and Saturday will be labeled Impact Days because there will be a threat of some wintry mix over Central Alabama, while snow is more likely to the north. Impact Days mean that you should remain aware and the weather may be disruptive enough to cause changes to your normal daily routine.