The snow should begin around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, and it’s not going to stay on the ground at first,” a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

Friday’s winter storm may have seemed like a letdown in Charlotte where less than an inch of snow fell while other areas got more.There were several reasons why snow totals didn’t pan out as much as we expected,

The Charlotte area woke up Saturday to less than a half-inch of snow and ice from the region's first winter storm in three years. Forecasters warn that black ice could be a danger on some roads and sidewalks.

The expectation is always for a winter wonderland, but we usually get the dreaded sleet and freezing rain, which cuts down on snow totals a bit.

The snow drought is officially over as snow, sleet, and freezing rain made its way across the Charlotte area on Friday.

Snow began to fall in the Charlotte metro area shortly before 3 p.m., sparking excitement and wonder among kids and adults alike. Forecasters are expecting areas north of uptown Charlotte to see the highest snowfall amounts.

Take it slow on the roads and allow extra following distance if you must head out through Saturday morning. Temperatures will remain below freezing.