Ice Cold Temperatures Cause Sound and Canal Waters to Freeze …WITH VIDEO AND SLIDE SHOW

Island residents and visitors caught a rare sight on Tuesday, as sound and canal waters began to freeze from Rodanthe to Hatteras village and beyond.

Pictures began surfacing on social media of frosted waters on early Tuesday morning, and with temperatures remaining in the 20s and possible 30s for the immediate future, the frozen waters are expected to continue throughout the day and night. 

More than one waterfront resident reported that it was the first time in years they had seen such massive freezing in areas such as Slash Creek in Hatteras village, and Hatteras Colony in Avon, and in several locations, the frozen waters stretched for as far as the eye could see.

The cold weather that has affected Hatteras and Ocracoke islands for the past few days is expected to continue throughout the week, with a brief respite on Wednesday, followed by a possible coastal storm and a return to freezing temperatures.

Though there has been no ice or treacherous conditions reported on N.C. Highway 12 as of Tuesday afternoon, travelers should nevertheless use caution and dress warmly when out and about. With the continual icy temperatures, residents should also take steps to keep pipes at home from freezing, such as letting cold water drip from the faucets, keeping cabinets under the sinks open to allow warm air to circulate, or setting the thermostat no lower than 55 F if heading out of town for a few days.

In the meantime, for those who are brave and bundled up enough to venture outside, the frozen sound, canal, and creek waters are an unusual and rare sight that is worth a look. 

The Island Free Press will continue to post updates on the potential storm which is forecast for later this week as soon as they are available. For more information, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather forecast information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.