North Carolina – Streetlights reflect off damp pavement this morning, but the danger is hard to see. Thin sheets of black ice may be lurking across eastern North Carolina, creating sudden hazards for drivers before sunrise. Conditions remain unsettled as cold air presses in behind steady rain.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, black ice is expected to cause hazardous travel conditions through the morning hours. Wet roads may appear harmless but freeze quickly, especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. Motorists could struggle to tell icy spots from plain wet pavement.
Rain continues at times today, with temperatures hovering near the freezing mark inland. As colder air deepens tonight, rain may transition to freezing rain or a rain-snow mix. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect early Thursday morning, with light ice accumulations possible, generally up to one-tenth of an inch.
Roads including U.S. 70, U.S. 17, and local routes through Carteret and Craven counties may become slick late tonight into early Thursday. The Thursday morning commute could be impacted, particularly inland from the immediate coast. Drivers are urged to slow down, leave extra following distance, and allow additional travel time.
Conditions improve later Thursday as colder, drier air moves in. Skies begin to clear Thursday night, but temperatures drop sharply into the teens and lower 20s. Any remaining moisture may refreeze, extending icy concerns into early Friday.
Friday and Saturday turn sunny but cold, with brisk northwest winds adding a biting feel. Highs recover slightly by the weekend, then moderate further early next week as a broader warming trend develops across the Southeast.
For now, treat every wet road as potentially icy. Keep headlights on, avoid sudden braking, and check road conditions before heading out. Are roads slick in your area this morning? Share what you’re seeing.
Five-Day Outlook for Morehead City / Newport, NC
- Today: Rain, patchy black ice early, highs near 49°F
- Thursday: Rain changing to freezing rain early, then clearing, highs near 39°F
- Friday: Sunny and cold, highs near 45°F
- Saturday: Sunny, chilly morning, highs near 43°F
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, moderating, highs near 43°F
