With the Wednesday morning temperatures in the low 20s in Rowan County, this water fountain in a yard at De Lara Circle and North Salisbury Avenue, Granite Quarry, is covered with ice. The home is in the Countryside Development.

Rowan is under a winter storm watch from late tonight to early Thursday evening. Snow and sleet is expected to mix with and become mostly sleet, freezing rain and rain during Thursday afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service predicts as much as 3 inches of snow along I-40, with lesser amounts in the Charlotte area. Ice accumulations could reach 1/4 to 1/2 inch Thursday afternoon or evening.

A winter storm watch means there is the possibility of significant accumulations of snow, sleet or ice that may affect travel or damage trees and power lines.