Although rare, the North Carolina coast is again facing a likely winter storm this season. Just last month, the Outer Banks and many beach areas of North Carolina were already hit with several inches of snow this winter.

On Tuesday at 2:38 p.m. a winter storm warning was issued by the NWS Newport/Morehead City NC valid from Wednesday 7 a.m. until Thursday 10 a.m. for Mainland Dare and Northern Outer Banks.

Confidence is high that a winter storm will impact Eastern NC and the northern Outer Banks from Wednesday through Thursday, however, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are expected to have mostly rain, according to an update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City Office.