New Hanover County warns of extreme cold, likely snow this weekend; residents urged to prepare
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Summary
County emergency staff say a coastal snow event this weekend will bring extreme cold, hazardous marine conditions and likely snowfall (high confidence of at least 2 inches). Officials urged residents to stay off roads, protect pipes and watch National Weather Service updates.
Steven Steele, a county staffer delivering the emergency weather briefing, told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 29 that a coastal system approaching the region is likely to produce extreme cold, hazardous seas and a significant chance of measurable snow over the weekend. "There’s an 89% chance of 2 inches or more," Steele said, adding there is a 71% chance of 4 inches or more and about a 20% chance of 12 inches or more.
Steele said overnight lows Saturday and Sunday are expected in the teens with wind chills around negative 3 degrees, and gale‑force winds (in excess of 45 mph) could create poor visibility and coastal erosion. He emphasized the event is forecast to be very dry and powdery — "almost the consistency of confectionery sugar" — which reduces the likelihood of heavy, moisture‑laden snow that typically causes power‑line failures.
Staff described preparatory actions already under way: the state Department of Transportation has pretreated major corridors with brine, ports are arranging additional salt and sand supplies, and the county is coordinating warming‑shelter partners after Grace reportedly reached capacity the previous night. Steele said staff are pursuing additional shelter capacity with coalition partners and a possible Red Cross site at Northside Baptist Church.
Commissioners asked about uncertainty in forecasts and appropriate public advice. Steele said the National Weather Service issues briefings at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. briefing will be the last scheduled update before the event window, and staff plan to hold another weather briefing after that call. He advised residents to consult the National Weather Service for the authoritative forecast and said county preparedness guidance will be posted to the county’s ReadyNHC web page.
Officials repeatedly urged residents to take practical steps now: stay off the roads when possible, protect pipes (letting faucets drip, insulating exterior fixtures and shutting off and insulating backflow devices), and check on well‑dependent households and exterior plumbing. "We will work with [the county administration] to articulate the actual action items that are needed to protect the faucets," Steele said.
The county’s operational leadership will reconvene following the next NWS briefing to finalize staffing and response plans and to deliver clear public messaging. Officials said they do not currently expect widespread power outages but warned hazardous travel could last into Monday and beyond depending on how temperatures and coastal bands evolve.
The county encouraged residents to review preparedness guidance from the National Weather Service and the county’s ReadyNHC resources; staff said additional local briefings and targeted outreach would follow after the Saturday 4:30 p.m. NWS update.
