March may have come in like a lamb in North Carolina, but our weather is more like a lion today.

What You Need To Know

  • Severe storms are possible across eastern North Carolina through noon Saturday

  • Snow has already started falling in parts of the North Carolina mountains

  • The entire state will drop below freezing Saturday night into Sunday morning

  • Sign up for severe weather notifications here

A strong cold front is moving across the state creating the threat for severe storms in eastern North Carolina.

Related story: Strong storms leave thousands without power across North Carolina

The severe weather threat appears greatest near and east of I-95 through noon.

Storm threats include damaging wind gusts, small hail and even a few tornadoes.

A Tornado Watch was issued for parts of eastern North Carolina through 1 p.m. Saturday. 

If a Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for your location, seek shelter in a small, interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Basements, closets, hallways and windowless bathrooms often provide the best protection during severe weather.

Snow for the mountains

As cold air rushes into the state behind the cold front, rain is already changing to snow in the mountains.

The highest elevations of western North Carolina may see several inches of snow accumulation Saturday.

Outside of the mountains, other parts of the state may see snow flurries as temperatures drop through Saturday afternoon. Little to no snow accumulation is expected outside of the mountains though.

Hard freeze for Sunday morning

The entire state will drop below freezing Saturday night into Sunday morning.

The hard freeze should be a concern for anyone that has gotten an early start to their spring planting.