I couldn't tell ya. The golf course I worked on paid for all of our samples. Make sure when you are getting your samples to not mix different soil area types, keep them separate, and label accordingly so you can manage your areas effectively.
Your county should have a NC Agriculture extension office. You can take them there. If not you can mail them to NC State University but your local ag office will be faster imo
I can't offer much in the form of weather knowledge but I did go to NC state for agriculture and worked in the turf industry for 7 years, so if you have any questions or concerns I am always willing to help!
About to go Ice Skating in Greensboro with a woman that I met from Madrid, Spain a few months ago. I think they may have a better chance at getting snow than us.