Winter storm warnings have been issued to four states along some southern parts of the East Coast, which don’t often experience extreme winter weather. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that up to 4 inches of snow could strike, along with 60 mph winds, which “could bring blowing and drifting snow that may cause brief blizzard conditions.”
States Affected by Winter Storm Warnings
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia are all under winter storm warnings, as the NWS advises those in affected areas to keep flashlights, non-perishable food, and water in their vehicles in case of an emergency, if they “must travel.”
North Carolina
Most mountains in North Carolina are forecast to get around 1 inch of snow, with black ice and winds gusting as high as 55 mph expected until Sunday morning.
The foothills of North Carolina are also likely to see light snow, black ice, and blowing snow until Sunday morning.
The eastern Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain of central North Carolina could see up to 2 inches of snow and 35 mph winds until Sunday afternoon. The NWS has advised people in these areas to “consider delaying all travel.”
Duplin, Onslow, Jones, Craven, Pamlico, and western Carteret Counties should get between 2 and 4 inches of snow (locally, higher amounts are possible) and winds gusting up to 45 mph until around noon on Sunday, which could create “whiteout conditions,” making travel “potentially life-threatening.”
Eastern Carteret County could see similar conditions, but winds could reach 60 mph, and the conditions are expected to last until Sunday afternoon.
Between 1 and 3 inches of snow and 40 mph winds could hit Beaufort, Greene, Lenoir, Martin, and Pitt Counties, and up to 3 inches of snow and 50 mph winds could strike Mainland Hyde and Washington Counties until around noon on Sunday.
Mainland Dare and Tyrrell Counties, the northern Outer Banks region, and the Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands could get up to 3 inches of snow and up to 60 mph winds until Sunday afternoon, potentially reducing visibility to less than a quarter of a mile.
South Carolina
Parts of upstate South Carolina could get light snowfall, areas of black ice, and strong winds, which, after a period of heavy snow, is likely to make “many roads treacherous”—particularly along the Interstate 77 corridor—until Sunday morning.
Allendale, Coastal Colleton, Hampton, Inland Colleton, Beaufort, and Jasper Counties are likely to get light snowfall until Sunday afternoon, but the NWS warns that roads are likely to remain slippery and hazardous.
Charleston, Dorchester, Inland Berkeley, and Tidal Berkeley Counties could see up to 1 inch of accumulated snow and 35 mph winds until Sunday afternoon, and parts of central South Carolina could see up to 4 inches of snow by mid-Sunday morning.
Georgia
Parts of northeast Georgia are likely to get a light dusting of accumulated snow, patches of black ice, and “gusty winds” which will produce blowing snow, causing poor visibility, overnight into Sunday morning.
Jenkins Screven, Bulloch, Candler, and Effingham Counties could continue to see light snowfall until early Sunday afternoon, leaving roads—especially over bridges and overpasses—“slick and hazardous,” and parts of east central Georgia could get up to 3 inches of snow by Sunday morning.
Virginia
Up to 2 inches of snow and 45 mph winds are expected across parts of south central, southwest, and west central Virginia until Sunday morning, and parts of the southeast of the state could get up to 2 inches and 55 mph winds until Sunday evening. The NWS advises that “motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.”
