Morehead City, North Carolina – A potent winter blast will slam eastern North Carolina Sunday afternoon and night, bringing strong northwest winds, rough travel conditions, and dangerously cold wind chills into Monday morning. Coastal communities will feel the brunt of both the wind and cold.
The first impacts arrive Sunday afternoon as northwest winds increase rapidly, especially along the Outer Banks. Gusts of 35 to 40 mph are expected on Hatteras Island and the northern Outer Banks, making driving difficult on exposed bridges and roadways. By Sunday evening, colder air pours in, pushing wind chills down into the single digits and lower teens across the coast and inland eastern North Carolina.
According to the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City, a Wind Advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday for the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island. A Cold Weather Advisory follows from 6 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday for much of eastern North Carolina, including Carteret, Craven, Onslow, Beaufort, Pitt, Lenoir, Pamlico, and Dare counties. Wind chills as low as 5 to 6 degrees are expected, with the coldest readings around daybreak Monday.
Communities impacted include Morehead City, Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, New Bern, Jacksonville, Greenville, Washington, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Buxton. Travel on U.S. 70, U.S. 17, NC 12, and coastal bridges may be hazardous for high-profile vehicles due to strong crosswinds.
According to emergency management officials, residents should secure outdoor objects, charge devices ahead of time, and prepare for isolated power outages where winds bring down tree limbs. Anyone outdoors Sunday night should wear layered clothing, hats, and gloves, and limit exposure to the cold. Pets should be kept indoors, and boaters should avoid unnecessary trips during advisory conditions.
Winds ease after sunrise Monday, but cold air lingers into the morning commute before gradual improvement later in the day.
