Winter Storm Morning Update

From Beaufort County Emergency Services:

This morning’s update transitioned to concerns for “Major Impacts” (Dangerous driving conditions, closures, disruptions with normal daily activities, etc.). It will likely be this

afternoon before we receive specific accumulation details. Changes to our previous briefings have been highlighted below.

Probabilities of Major Impacts

• We now have a 70 to 80% chance of experiencing ““Major Impacts” over the weekend, with a 90 to 100% chance of receiving greater than 4 inches of snow, a 70 to 80% chance of receiving greater than 8 inches of snow, and a 50 to 60% chance of receiving greater than 12 inches of snow.

Receiving Greater Than 4 inches of Snow Graphic (90 to 100%)

Receiving Greater Than 12 inches of Snow Graphic (50 to 60%)

Timing of Impacts

• Snow

◦ Snow is currently forecasted to begin around 1am Saturday and continue through noon Sunday morning.

▪ Our heaviest snow is currently forecasted to occur between 7pm Saturday and 7am Sunday morning.

• High Winds

◦ North and Northwest winds will begin to increase shortly after sunrise Saturday, becoming sustained between 15 and 25 mph, with frequent gusts of 25 to 35 expected through sunset Sunday.

• Temperatures & Windchills

◦ Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing around sunset Friday and remain below freezing through noon on Monday, with windchills between 15 and 20 degrees Saturday night and -1 to 10 degrees Sunday night.

What to Look for and Prepare For

While details related to possible accumulations of snow are uncertain, we encourage everyone to ensure that your family, friends, and neighbors take time over the next few days to monitor this evolving forecast and consider what actions you would need to take to be prepared for the following possible outcomes.

• Impactful Snow Accumulations

◦ Do you have enough food, supplies and medicine to last several days (Saturday through Wednesday) in the event you are unable to travel due to hazardous road conditions? Please be prepared to shelter in place and avoid any unnecessary travel between Saturday and Monday.

◦ Are you prepared for isolated power outages? (How would you stay warm? How would you cook? Do you have battery operated lighting and a way to charge electronic devices?)

◦ Are your outside pets and livestock protected from hazardous winter weather conditions? (Do they have adequate shelter? Do they have access to water that is not frozen?)

Please see the email below and the attached briefing from the National Weather Service (NWS) for additional information.