Jacksonville, North Carolina — Hazardous travel conditions are possible across eastern North Carolina late Wednesday night into Thursday morning as Winter Weather Advisories take effect for a wide portion of the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, light freezing rain is expected from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday across coastal and nearby inland counties including Onslow, Carteret, Craven, Pamlico, Jones, Hyde, and Tyrrell. Ice accumulations are forecast to remain at or below one-tenth of an inch, but even light icing can cause slick conditions on untreated roads, bridges, and sidewalks.
Farther inland, counties including Pitt, Lenoir, Greene, Beaufort, Martin, Duplin, Washington, and Martin are under advisories from Wednesday evening through 10 a.m. Thursday. In these areas, precipitation may fall as a mix of light snow and freezing rain, with snow accumulations under one-half inch and ice totals up to one-tenth of an inch.
Impacted travel corridors include U.S. 17 through Jacksonville, U.S. 70 near New Bern, NC-24 near Morehead City, U.S. 264 in Pitt and Beaufort counties, and secondary highways throughout the coastal plain. Conditions may deteriorate quickly overnight as surface temperatures drop below freezing.
The National Weather Service warns that difficult travel conditions are possible, particularly during the Thursday morning commute. Motorists may encounter isolated icy patches that are hard to see, especially before sunrise.
Drivers are urged to slow down, increase following distance, and use caution, while pedestrians should be alert for icy sidewalks and steps. Residents are also advised to prepare for isolated power outages, though widespread outages are not expected.
Road conditions can be checked by calling 511 or visiting DriveNC.gov. Additional updates and refinements to timing or impacts are available at weather.gov/mhx.
