More rain and wind likely for the southern Outer Banks this weekend

While mainland North Carolina and the northern Outer Banks could see another round of snow this weekend, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands will likely only receive rain and wind, per a recent briefing from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City Office.

A low pressure system passing off the coast will likely bring rain to the Outer Banks area on Friday, which might transition to snow as temperatures drop to the 30s on Friday night and Saturday morning. Confidence is highest in accumulating snowfall away from the coast and north of U.S. Hwy. 264, with a more limited window for snow further south and east. Cold temperatures on Saturday will limit the melting of any snow that does fall, with lows in the 20s on Saturday night, ensuring a refreeze.

Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands will likely see periods of heavy rain, as well as northwest winds of 25-35 mph with gusts over 40 mph. At this time, coastal flooding is not a significant threat this weekend.

Snowfall amounts and timing details, as well as the potential for coastal flooding and other weather-related threats, will come into better focus within the next day or two.

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather info, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.