Weather Service issues winter weather advisory for the Outer Banks

Even as an occasional daffodil adds color to a dreary brown landscape battered by the endless winter, we are reminded that it’s not over yet.

About noon, in what we hope is winter’s last gasp, temperatures dropped 10 degrees in 10 minutes and about 20 degrees in an hour, leaving islanders marveling at car windows that immediately fogged over.

The balmy temperatures in the mid-60s on southern Hatteras yesterday and this morning were accompanied by a heavy fog that was caused by the warm air on the cold sound and ocean waters.

Temperatures will continue to drop this afternoon, and the National Weather Service in Newport, N.C., has issued a winter weather advisory for the Outer Banks from 6 p.m. this evening until 10 a.m. tomorrow. Rain is forecast for this evening and overnight. 

With temperatures dropping to around freezing on the southern Outer Banks tonight, a brief period of sleet or freezing rain is possible. However, no accumulations of sleet or freezing rain are expected. The Weather Service says the warm temperatures of the past day or so will prevent big problems on the roads, though some bridges and overpasses may have icy spots.

High temperatures tomorrow will be in the cold 30s, moderating some the first of next week. Though the long-range forecast call for highs in the upper 40s and low 50s, temperatures still won’t reach the normal high temperature of 56 degrees for this time of year on Hatteras.

The Weather Service has also issued a gale warning for the Outer Banks from 5 p.m. this afternoon until 10 a.m. on Friday.  North winds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 are expected.  Forecasters said earlier today that a high surf advisory may be needed tonight for Hatteras Island — from Buxton north.

Although it’s not spring yet on the islands, it is time for our clocks to spring forward. Daylight saving time starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday, so set your clocks ahead one hour before you head to bed on Saturday night.  And check your smoke alarm batteries.

The seven-day forecast for the Outer Banks:

REST OF TODAY …RAIN SHOWERS. AREAS OF FOG. WINDY WITH HIGHS IN THE
UPPER 40S…EXCEPT IN THE MID 60S SOUTH OF OREGON INLET. TEMPERATURE
FALLING INTO THE UPPER 30S THIS AFTERNOON. NORTH WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH
WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 90 PERCENT.

TONIGHT …AREAS OF FOG IN THE EVENING. FREEZING RAIN…SLEET AND
RAIN IN THE EVENING…THEN FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET LIKELY AFTER
MIDNIGHT. LITTLE OR NO SLEET ACCUMULATION. ICE ACCUMULATION AROUND A
TRACE. VERY WINDY AND COOLER WITH LOWS AROUND 30. NORTH WINDS 25 TO
35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 90 PERCENT.

FRIDAY. ..PARTLY SUNNY. A CHANCE OF RAIN…FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET
IN THE MORNING…THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. ICE
ACCUMULATION AROUND A TRACE. WINDY AND COOLER WITH HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 30S…EXCEPT IN THE UPPER 30S SOUTH OF OREGON INLET. NORTH
WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION
30 PERCENT.

FRIDAY NIGHT …PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING…THEN CLEARING.
BLUSTERY WITH LOWS IN THE MID 20S…EXCEPT IN THE UPPER 20S SOUTH OF
OREGON INLET. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH IN THE
EVENING.

SATURDAY …SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH…BECOMING WEST IN THE AFTERNOON.

SATURDAY NIGHT …MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S.

SUNDAY …PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S.

SUNDAY NIGHT …MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.

MONDAY …MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S.

MONDAY NIGHT. ..MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.

TUESDAY. ..MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING…THEN BECOMING PARTLY
SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S.

TUESDAY NIGHT …MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S.

WEDNESDAY …MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S.