I have seen them outside of NC and once in North Carolina. It was Christmas morning 1999 in Southern Pines/Pinehurst when a surprise inch fell from an ocean effect streamer off of southeastern VA.
Bet on the severe but not the snow for the NC Piedmont. This is a classic cold chasing the moisture scenario and 90% of the time that is a losing proposition. I want snow just as bad as anyone but it is not in the cards.
Those totals in southern VT are unbelievable. I can't imagine seeing an additional 10-15 inches on top of what I got in the Pi Day storm when I was in Winooski (my first and only 30 inch event). I miss it terribly. I am likely to zero out down here in a La Nina year.
On both the GFS and Euro it is cold chasing the moisture with it primarily being a FROPA. That is the kiss of death for the NC Piedmont. It almost NEVER works out. The GFS tries to develop a surface low but it is barely there.
I just don't see those ice amounts verifying when a lot of places will start the event at 31F or so. This airmass marginal and the latent heat process will kill it fairly quickly.
Well if I was going to chase I would have to go all the way to PA for the max (which is what I want to go for). I also think it would strain my budget right now a bit. I will unfortunately have to enjoy the cold rain down here. I fully expect to zero out in Raleigh this year so I have to find an opportunity somewhere within reason before winter ends.
I am trying to decide on a chase location. I was thinking Winchester, VA but not sure if that will even be too close to the mix right now. I don't want to have to go all the way to Harrsburg, PA.