By Mark Wineka
mark.wineka@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The winter’s first accumulation of snow or ice is in the forecast for late Monday and early Tuesday, but Rowan Countians will have to deal with bitterly cold temperatures first.

After an overnight low of 12, today’s high temperature is not expected to rise above freezing. The low tonight again will be extreme, dipping to 16, according to ACCU Weather.

Monday’s high will only be 28.

Meanwhile, forecasters have their eye on a storm system that could bring snow, sleet or freezing rain to Rowan County and surrounding areas by Monday afternoon at the earliest, with the chance of wintry precipitation increasing into Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service says the chance of snow is 40 to 50 percent Monday and the prospects for snow and sleet 70 percent Tuesday,

ACCU Weather’s latest forecast calls for an accumulation of snow, sleet or freezing rain of 1 to 2 inches late Monday and into Tuesday.

Duke Energy’s lead meteorologist, Steve Leyton, said in an advisory Saturday that “the latest American model run would suggest primarily a snow event across western and central North Carolina, developing Tuesday morning and ending Tuesday evening with the potential for 2-6 (inches) of accumulation.”

But he added a note of caution with this forecast, as are other forecasters.

“It is important to note that this event is still 4 days out,” Leyton said, “and a lot can change between now and then in terms of timing, temperatures and precipitation type.”

Duke Energy said its customers can take these steps to manage their energy demand and reduce their power bills during the colder temperatures:

• Set the thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature when home, and drop it one or two degrees when leaving home.

• Set ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to push warm air down into rooms.

• Open drapes and blinds to allow the sun to warm rooms during the day. Close them at night.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.