News

Winter Storm Fizzles

Southern Currituck & Outer Banks see accumulation

by J.H. Snowden, III
Publisher / Editor
nencnews@yahoo.com

Hampton Roads weather forecasters took one for the team Tuesday, as a much hyped winter storm failed to materialize as predicted. Forecasters were forced to eat crow by midday on Tuesday, as the winter storm developed on a more southerly track than anticipated.

As late as Monday evening, forecasters had called for accumulations of 1″ - 3″ in southside Hampton Roads, with accumulations of up to 6″ expected in Northeastern North Carolina.

The storm, which resulted from an upper level disturbance moving off the coast, developed further offshore than forecasters originilly predicted. Snow accumulations started at 1 inch just south of the Coinjock area in Currituck, and increased toward a maximum of 4 inches in Dare County. Locally heavier accumulations were observed.

Area residents north of Coinjock experienced brief snow showers Tuesday with little accumulation, and dreary skies. According to local forecasters, dry air forced most snow falling in northern Currituck and soutside Hampton Roads to evaporate before reaching the ground.

Snow began falling Monday in western North Carolina and moved eastward, with accumulations of 2 to 3 inches in Piedmont areas extending eastward to the coast. Snow was still falling as late as Tuesday evening in Manteo and on the Dare County mainland.

Accumulations of 3.5 inches were recorded at Columbia in Tyrrell County on the southside of the Albemarle Sound.

Camden and Currituck County schools closed Tuesday in anticipation of the predicted wintry weather.

Email your snow photos or accumulations to: nencnews@yahoo.com

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