The National Weather Service out of Morehead City updated their forecast today (Dec. 21) as a massive winter storm makes its way from the Midwest to the northeast.
According to reports, the storm system is set to snarl holiday travel and bring an onslaught of wintry weather to millions across the Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Northeast and even interior Mid-Atlantic.
Beginning Thursday and continuing into this weekend, the Outer Banks will experience strong winds from this storm, freezing temperatures that could damage pipes, heavy rain up to two inches, minor to moderate sound side coastal flooding, dangerous marine conditions and coastal hazards.
No snow is in the forecast for the Outer Banks, but Wunderground forecasts temperatures for Ocracoke to dip to 23 degrees Friday night, then to a high of 33 and a low of 27 for Saturday. Christmas Day on Sunday (Dec. 25) should see a high of 38 and a low of 32 with temperatures climbing to 41 during the day and 38 at night on Monday.
Small craft advisories are in effect from 9 a.m. today (Wednesday) until 6 a.m. Friday. A gale watch is in effect from 6 a.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Saturday and a coastal flood advisory, which may affect N.C. 12 at the north end of Ocracoke, is in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday.
During this time period, cancellations of some ferry runs due to high winds may occur until it is safe to resume.
