Staff Reports
The southeastern United States is currently facing a rare and historic winter emergency, which many are calling the storm of the century. A bomb cyclone, no less, has barreled its way off the coast of the Carolinas, bringing with it not just snow, but expectations of snow—because, let’s be honest, who really prepared for this? The nor’easter, now quite fashionably transformed into a powerful bomb cyclone, is wreaking havoc in areas more accustomed to sunscreen than snow boots.
Raleigh, North Carolina, was initially expected to receive significant snow, but found itself in a meteorological sweet spot, a so-called “bust potential.” Rather than inches of snow, Raleigh got a cold shoulder from the elements, sparing its residents the charming duty of shoveling snow. In contrast, Greenville is living through quite the winter spectacle, with the locals—particularly the ECU Pirates—making the best of it by frolicking in the snow.
While the sight of snow brings a sparkle to the eyes of families and college students alike, it’s worth mentioning that this is not your run-of-the-mill chilly moment. Much of North Carolina is under a winter storm warning, with temperatures predicted to plunge below zero, something rarely experienced in the region. It seems Old Man Winter decided to pack a punch this time, with parts of the Outer Banks possibly waking up to a foot of snow. That’s right—the Outer Banks, a place better known for dunes and bikinis than bundling up.
In Greenville, the forecasters suggest snow accumulations could reach up to six or even eight inches. To the delight of statisticians everywhere, this kind of snowfall hasn’t been seen since 2014 in these parts, making it a generational storm—the kind millennials can post about on social media for years to come. Some areas north of Charlotte are reporting significant snow accumulations already, proving that winter didn’t just knock on the door; it barged right through.
While it’s easy to picture snowplow drivers rubbing their hands with glee, one has to wonder how many of those actually exist in the Outer Banks. To add a blustery cherry on top, hurricane-force winds are expected to deliver an extra layer of drama along the coast. For a state that can generally depend on calmer winter weather, this kind of activity only begs one question: is the Weather Channel about to become North Carolina’s most-watched channel? As they navigate this unexpected snow globe existence, one can only hope the residents remember to keep their hot cocoa close and their humor even closer.
