SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — After coastal North Carolina escaped the worst from last weekend’s winter weather advisory, colder air is bringing freezing wind chills the last weekend in January. Weather officials also keeping an eye out for snow, with confidence increasing on its potential locally, though how much is unknown.
As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service Wilmington has indicated a winter storm will arrive Jan. 31 through Feb. 1. There is a 50% to 70% chance the storm will have “moderate impacts,” meaning it could come with hazardous driving conditions, resulting in closures and disruptions to infrastructure.
It will bring some of the coldest temperatures felt this year by far but also region-wide in eight years. According to NWS, the last time the Wilmington International Airport had a wind chill of 0 degrees was the first week of January 2018, near the same time an ice storm also blanketed the area.
Temperatures with wind chills are expected to drop below 15 degrees on Friday. The worst of extreme cold air is anticipated Saturday into Sunday, with wind chills dropping to 5 or even 0 degrees. This weekend’s Arctic blast of air and wind is anticipated to bring hazardous seas, including reduction of visibility.
“This cold, in and of itself, is a rare event, and there will be concerns about frostbite on exposed skin and hypothermia,” NWS Wilmington noted.
Though freezing rain, sleet or ice is unlikely, the frigid temperatures could be accompanied by the “s” word — favored in southeastern North Carolina from Saturday into Sunday. But the amount of snow will be a “moving target,” even place-to-place within a county.
“There are a few specific weather features that are causing this winter storm,” NWS explained, such as low pressure moving through. “But there are many questions surrounding those features, such as where exactly they will be located, when they will start to develop, when they really start to strengthen, and how fast they move.”
It all creates a “butterfly effect” determining the kind and amounts of precipitation that will fall.
Last weekend’s winter storm affected the majority of the inland region of the state, bringing anywhere from a quarter-inch to an inch or more of ice to roadways. Wilmington had less than 0.01 ice on some surfaces, with only few roads affected Sunday.
NWS suggests preparing now ahead of the weekend forecast as need be. That could include:
- Restock emergency kit with seven-day supply of non-perishable food, gallon of water per person per day and ensure medications are stocked
- Stock up on rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways — sand, shovels, etc.
- Have plenty of heating fuel and store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for fireplace or wood-burning stove — do not use oven, camp stove, or charcoal grill indoors as heating source
- Have enough clothing and blankets for warmth
- Make family communication plan
- Weatherize home as need be, such as ensuring pipes are protected to prevent freezing (wrap with insulation, run a drip, open all cabinets to circulate air, access water main shutoff in case of pipe burst, disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots)
- Bring in pets and have enough food and meds for them for up to a week
- Charge all electronics fully and have battery-operated lanterns or other light sources, as well as battery-operated radio handy if power goes
- Fill every vehicle’s gas tank and make sure brakes, tires and other car functions are properly working
At Port City Daily, we aim to keep locals informed on top-of-mind news facing the tri-county region. To support our work and help us reach more people in 2026, please, consider helping one of two ways: Subscribe here or make a one-time contribution here.
We appreciate your ongoing support.
