Winter storm forecast for Friday, but Outer Banks will likely only see rain and wind

Another winter storm is possible on late Thursday and Friday, although the Outer Banks will likely see only rain and wind, per a recent update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

There is the potential for severe icing across portions of Eastern N.C. from late Thursday until Friday, with up to .5 inches of ice accretion in some mainland areas. The best chance for accumulating snow will come on Friday night, as the low pressure system begins to move away from the North Carolina coast. Folks are advised to avoid traveling to mainland N.C. over the weekend, due to the severe weather.

Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands will likely see rain instead of sleet, ice, or snow, with up to .5 inches of rainfall forecast for Friday. North winds will strengthen Thursday night and will peak on Friday at 20-30 mph, but at this time, significant coastal flooding is not a major concern. If forecast winds increase over the next couple of days, the risk for coastal flooding may elevate.

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