Snow unlikely for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, but coastal flooding possible with weekend winter storm

The likelihood of accumulating snowfall has dwindled for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands with this weekend’s winter storm, but high winds, heavy rains, and possible coastal flooding are expected starting late Friday night, per a Friday morning briefing from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Strong north to northwest winds with up to 45 mph gusts could bring 1 to 2 feet of soundside flooding for very low-lying areas on Saturday from Rodanthe south, and large swell and elevated water levels could bring ocean overwash from Cape Point to Oregon Inlet on Saturday and Sunday, and especially around the times of the weekend’s high tides. High tides on Saturday are at approximately 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Several inches of snowfall accumulation is most likely for the eastern N.C. mainland, along and north of US Hwy 64/264, however, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands will likely only receive rain. Any snowfall is expected overnight on Friday or early Saturday, especially for the Outer Banks.

Freezing temperatures are also a concern, and temperatures will drop to the low-to-mid 20s on Saturday night. The public is advised to protect outdoor pets, exposed pipes, and sensitive vegetation as needed.

Low temperatures, with wind chill values as low as the single digits, will result in a hard freeze of any wet surfaces on Saturday night, and black ice is likely on Sunday, creating dangerous road conditions.

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/.