Winter weather is once again making its way into the Cape Fear region. What that means for those in coastal areas versus those a bit further inland is a very different story.
Michael Colby is a Senior Meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He says while temperatures will dip as low 33 degrees overnight in coastal areas, they are expected to stay above freezing in New Hanover, Brunswick, coastal Horry, and eastern Pender Counties.
"Well, inland temperatures will be a little bit colder, and right now we have a freezing rain advisory for a good section of the interior of southeast North Carolina and portions of northeast South Carolina and areas along the I-95 corridor…
"The Counties that are in the freezing rain advisory from midnight tonight through midday Wednesday are Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, inland Pender, Marlboro, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, and inland Horry County."
Intermittent rain overnight will mean wet roadways Wednesday morning for coastal areas in North and South Carolina. Counties along the coast – New Hanover, Brunswick, and eastern Pender Counties – as well as coastal Horry County – will likely stay above freezing thanks to the warming effect of winds off the ocean.
But Senior Meteorologist Michael Colby says those a bit further inland could face hazardous roadways Wednesday morning. For those areas, his advice is simple:
"The ultimate precaution is not to go out. Aside from not going out, if you must go out, give yourself plenty of time, travel at slower speeds, give plenty of distance between you and objects in front of you. And by all means, take ‘er slow near bus stops."
Colby says temperatures will rise above freezing during the morning hours, and any roadway ice should melt by late Wednesday morning.
