Morehead City, North Carolina – A powerful coastal winter storm is expected to cripple travel across eastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks beginning late Friday, bringing heavy snow, damaging winds, and near-whiteout conditions that could last through Sunday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, Winter Storm Warnings are now in effect for much of eastern North Carolina, including the northern and southern Outer Banks, inland coastal plain counties, and Down East communities. Snow will overspread the region late Friday night, intensifying Saturday with widespread accumulations of 6 to 10 inches inland and as much as 8 to 12 inches along portions of the Outer Banks. Wind gusts are expected to reach 50 to 65 mph near the coast, creating blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
The most severe conditions are expected on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, where visibility may drop below a quarter mile and travel could become impossible at times. Mainland Dare, Tyrrell, Beaufort, Washington, and Hyde counties are also expected to see heavy snow and drifting, with roads deteriorating rapidly overnight Friday into Saturday. Farther south and west, including Pitt, Craven, Onslow, Lenoir, and Duplin counties, snowfall totals of 6 to 10 inches could bring prolonged travel disruptions and scattered tree damage.
Officials urge residents to avoid travel, prepare for extended power outages, and secure emergency supplies. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through Sunday, and dangerous conditions may persist even after snowfall begins to taper.
