Roughly 8 inches of snow has fallen on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands since Tuesday evening, according to a midday update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office.
Per the NWS report, Ocracoke recorded 8.3 inches of snow on Wednesday morning, while Rodanthe recorded 8 inches.
The Wright Brothers National Monument saw up to 9 inches of snow, while Buxton recorded 5.8 inches. (Snow accumulation reports varied widely on Wednesday due to wind-driven snow drifts throughout the islands.)
While snowfall has tapered off in northern Dare County, light snow was still falling on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands as of 12:30 p.m.
The snow is expected to end this afternoon, however, cold temperatures will linger through early Thursday morning, causing the snow to stick around.
“It will be dry and cold tonight, and the snow will knock those temperatures down, so driving conditions will remain dicey,” said Morgan Simms, meteorologist with the NWS Newport/Morehead City office. “On Thursday, we’ll have a little warmer [weather] over the Outer Banks, and will get some rain, which might help expedite the snow melting.”
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) personnel continue to clear N.C. Highway 12 and state-maintained roads, however, travel is not advised unless absolutely necessary.
“The snow is just now winding down across the Outer Banks, but it is still very windy and very cold, and roads across the area can best be described as treacherous,” stated the NCDOT in a Wednesday morning update. “Our crews are out plowing and salting primary routes, but the best advice we have for motorists today is STAY HOME.”
A list of local Outer Banks resources for additional information is as follows:
- For additional snow maps, visit https://www.weather.gov/mhx/winter.
- For information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/moreheadcity/ for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.
- For updates regarding road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov and follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on its Facebook page.
- To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins.
