WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) — As areas around Raleigh keep an eye on possible snow for Tuesday night, snow is also looking likely at the North Carolina coast with a winter storm watch already issued for coastal areas to the south.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington said snow is possible Tuesday night along the coast as bitterly cold temps move on Monday.
There is a higher chance of 2 inches of snow along the Outer Banks, according to the National Weather Service in Morehead City.
“Chances are increasing for accumulating snowfall late Tuesday into Wednesday,” forecasters said for areas of the Outer Banks and around Morehead City.
A winter storm watch was not issued Sunday because snowfall was still more than 48 hours out for North Carolina coastal areas on Tuesday night, forecasters said.
“This could very well end up as a majority snow event,” forecasters said Sunday, adding that the snow is not likely to melt on the ground.
Forecasters also said northerly winds over 35 mph are possible at the Outer Banks.
“If this does occur along with any amount of snow, blizzard conditions may develop with the
highest risk along the Outer Banks,” the Morehead City weather service office said.
Already, a winter storm watch has been issued for the Charleston, South Carolina area.
The weather service said snow will likely begin along the coast and then spread inland.
“The most likely predominate precipitation type will be snow, with the highest
amounts expected across portions of eastern North Carolina,” the weather service said Sunday afternoon.
As the snow moves into the coastal areas on Tuesday, it could impact the late afternoon commute.
Snow amounts are uncertain as of Sunday afternoon, but the National Weather Service said 2 inches of snow is possible along the coast.
