RALEIGH — Weather forecasters said snow is possible across much of North Carolina, with as much as 8 inches in the northwestern mountains.

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

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Forecasters said 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 Thursday.