RALEIGH — Weather forecasters say snow is possible across much of North Carolina today and Friday, with as much as 8 inches in the northwestern mountains. In Robeson County, local students who think they might get a three-day weekend will most likely be disappointed.

If snow does occur locally, it will be overnight — and not enough is expected to cause problems.

“There is an outside chance that there may be a little snow and sleet mixed in with rain between midnight and 2 a.m. tomorrow as the storm moves out of the area,” said Stephen Keebler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington. ” All Robeson County will get is maybe an inch of rain.”

Keebler said that while the storm is a “potent storm system,” the warm ground temperature and Robeson County being on the southern fringe of the storm will prevent any accumulation.

Keebler said, however, to expect colder weather.

“Tomorrow it will be sunny and cold, probably not getting out of the 40s,” he said. “Saturday morning it will probably be in the low to mid-20s.”

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm advisories and warnings for much of North Carolina for today and into Friday morning.

Forecasters say precipitation will start as rain before low pressure and cold air combine to change the rain to snow.

Up to 8 inches of snow is expected around Boone, with up to 5 inches in the western mountains and as far east as the Charlotte area. An inch or more of snow is expected across s much of the state.

Snow is even expected as far east as Elizabeth City.

Temperatures were still in the 40s and 50s across much of the state early today.