Update: Potential for Winter Weather - Thurs & Fri | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    While we have gained additional information in this morning's forecast, there continues to be a degree of uncertainty pertaining to the element of snow for our area. Models continue to use the Hwy 17 corridor as a bench mark location for changing conditions. Areas west are expected to be below freezing Thursday night / Friday morning. Areas east will hover around the freezing mark during this same time. This variable alone makes it very difficult to narrow down details related to snow fall accumulations. As such, we will continue to look at the forecast through the lenses of what we are confident about, and what uncertainties still exist.

    Areas of Confidence:

• Rain will begin to move into our area around sunrise Thursday, and will most likely encompass all of Beaufort County by noon. This is expected to be a rain event through at least 5pm.
• Precipitation (rain or snow) should be clear of Beaufort County by sunrise Friday.
• Areas west of Bath / Blounts Creek are expected to receive sustained NE winds at 10mph beginning at 12 pm Thursday. Areas east are expected to experience 10 - 15 mph winds. These winds will transition from NE to N through Friday morning, and are not expected to subside until late Friday night / Saturday morning. Gust 25 mph are possible during this time. Localized flooding / inundation is possible in areas prone to these conditions.

    Areas of Uncertainty

• Any transition from rain to snow / freezing precipitation will most likely occur between 5 and 9pm Thursday.
• When we look at the totality / statistics of forecast models, snow fall accumulations range from 0" to 5". However, the most likely scenario indicates that areas west of Hwy 32 / Blounts Creek could potentially receive 1 - 2" of snow, with areas east receiving up to 1".

    Additional details can be found in the email below and attachment from the National Weather Service (NWS).

    Our office will continue to monitor this system, and pass along pertinent information as we receive it.

    As always, feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance, and thank you all for what you do to keep your communities prepared and safe.

• Chris Newkirk
• Deputy Director
• Beaufort County Emergency Services
• 1420 Highland Dr
• Washington, N.C. 27889
• Office: (252)940-6511
• Cell: (252) 378-5352
• Chris.Newkirk@co.beaufort.nc.us