Winter Storm and Coastal Flood in North Carolina, February 1 to 2, 2026

Name: Winter Storm and Coastal Flood in North Carolina, February 1 to 2, 2026
Start: 2026-02-01T00:00
End: 2026-02-02T11:00
Location: North Carolina

February 1 to 2, 2026 · NWS MHX · 25 events in 21 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 25 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 25

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MHX wrote it up.

A potent upper-level low tracked south and then southeast from the Upper Midwest to the Southeast during the weekend of Friday January 30th to Sunday February 1st. At the same time, a baroclinic zone set up along the offshore waters of Georgia, westwards to the Deep South. A surface low then developed along this baroclinic zone just off the coast of Georgia during the early morning hours on Saturday January 31st. As the upper level low neared the developing surface low, this resulted in a Miller-A low pressure system. The associated offshore low pressure system then rapidly strengthened as it tracked northeastwards just off the North Carolina coast during the overnight hours between Saturday and Sunday. This very strong low then pulled away from the Carolinas and moved out into the open waters of the North Atlantic during the late morning hours on Sunday. With an unusually cold airmass in place across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, a rather widespread and historic snowstorm for almost all of Eastern North Carolina occurred. Snow began during the morning hours on Saturday January 31st mainly along the Crystal Coast and Inner Banks, though a period of light snow occurred across portions of the Coastal Plain as well Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon the low pressure system off the coast began to deepen quickly resulting in heavier and more widespread snowfall across much of Eastern North Carolina. Snowfall rates became heavy at times resulting in periods of whiteout conditions as 30-50 mph wind gusts (60-65 mph on the Outer Banks) also impacted the area making travel treacherous across the region. Snow finally pushed completely offshore by the late morning hours on Sunday February 1st. Over 10 inches of snowfall were measured across most counties of Eastern North Carolina outside of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke with several counties reporting over a foot of snowfall. The strong winds associated with the low also produced coastal flooding on the Outer Banks of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Highway 12 was closed for a time, and 4 more homes in the Buxton area collapsed into the ocean due to the coastal flooding.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 31, 8:35 PM EST, 3 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 31, 8:35 PM EST, 3 hours 25 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 31, 4:04 AM EST, 19 hours 56 minutes before

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 31, 9:53 PM EST, 2 hours 7 minutes before

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Local storm report, Jan 31, 10:00 PM EST, 2 hours before

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Local storm report, Jan 31, 10:16 PM EST, 1 hour 44 minutes before

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Local storm report, Jan 31, 10:18 PM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes before

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Local storm report, Jan 31, 10:19 PM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

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Local storm report, Jan 31, 10:23 PM EST, 1 hour 37 minutes before

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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 winter storm, 3 high wind, 2 coastal flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Coastal Onslow

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:05 AM EST
Where: Coastal Onslow forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.763, -77.393 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An NWS employee reported snowfall totals of sixteen inches near Hubert, North Carolina, with several additional reports from the public and CoCoRaHS stations reporting between twelve and seventeen inches of snowfall across Onslow County. Snowfall fell between the morning hours on January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Beaufort

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:05 AM EST
Where: Beaufort forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.486, -76.845 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the public, trained spotters, and Fire Departments showed between eleven and seventeen inches of snowfall fell across Beaufort County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Duplin

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 7:20 AM EST
Where: Duplin forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.936, -77.933 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the broadcast media, public, trained spotters and CoCoRaHs data showed between seven and thirteen inches of snowfall fell across Duplin County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, East Carteret

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:31 AM EST
Where: East Carteret forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.864, -76.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports between the public, trained spotters, and CoCoRaHs data showed between eight and a half to fifteen inches of snowfall fell across East Carteret County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Greene

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 5:23 AM EST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.485, -77.676 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall reports from the public and COOP observers showed between six and ten inches of snowfall fell across Greene County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Inland Onslow

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 7:40 AM EST
Where: Inland Onslow forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.763, -77.393 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mix of trained spotters, public, and CoCoRaHS reports showed widespread snowfall amounts of eleven to sixteen inches across inland Onslow County between the early afternoon of January thirty first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Jones

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:05 AM EST
Where: Jones forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.022, -77.355 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the public showed between thirteen and seventeen inches of snowfall fell across Jones County between midday of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Lenoir

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 6:20 AM EST
Where: Lenoir forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.239, -77.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the public, trained spotters, and CoCoRaHs data showed between ten and sixteen inches of snowfall fell across Lenoir County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Martin

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 7:20 AM EST
Where: Martin forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.842, -77.107 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the public and CoCoRaHs data showed between six and thirteen inches of snowfall fell across Martin County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Northern Craven

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 7:55 AM EST
Where: Northern Craven forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.117, -77.083 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mix of public, CoCoRaHS, and trained spotter reports of twelve to eighteen inches of snow was reported across northern Craven County. Snowfall fell between the early afternoon on January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Northern Outer Banks

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 10:31 AM EST
Where: Northern Outer Banks forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.787, -75.781 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the public, trained spotters, and CoCoRaHs data showed between two and eleven inches of snowfall fell across the Northern Outer Banks. Snowfall amounts above three inches fell mainly north of Roanoke Island and Whalebone NC. Snowfall fell between the afternoon of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Ocracoke Island

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 10:14 AM EST
Where: Ocracoke Island forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.410, -76.148 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall report from CoCoRaHs data showed three inches fell across the town of Ocracoke, on Ocracoke Island between the afternoon of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Pamlico

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:39 AM EST
Where: Pamlico forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.152, -76.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A report of thirteen inches of snow fell near Bayboro, North Carolina. There were also several corresponding reports from the public of widespread snowfall amounts between thirteen and nineteen inches across Pamlico County. Snowfall fell between late morning on January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Pitt

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 6:44 AM EST
Where: Pitt forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.594, -77.375 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from the public, trained spotters, and CoCoRaHs data showed between seven and fifteen inches of snowfall fell across Pitt County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Southern Craven

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:48 AM EST
Where: Southern Craven forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.117, -77.083 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several reports between CoCoRaHS and public reports of twelve to sixteen inches of snowfall fell across southern Craven County. Snow fell between mid-morning on January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Tyrrell

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:20 AM EST
Where: Tyrrell forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.870, -76.170 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several snowfall reports from COOP observers, the public, and CoCoRaHs data showed between ten and sixteen inches of snowfall fell across Tyrrell County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Washington

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:05 AM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.839, -76.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall amounts between six and twelve inches of snowfall fell across Washington County between the early afternoon of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, West Carteret

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:48 AM EST
Where: West Carteret forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 34.864, -76.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread reports between public, CoCoRahs, trained spotters, and NWS employees of ten to nineteen inches of snowfall including fifteen inches of snowfall at the NWS Newport Morehead City office. Snowfall occurred between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Western Dare

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:05 AM EST
Where: Western Dare forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.787, -75.781 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall amounts from three to twelve inches fell across mainland Dare County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

Winter Storm, Western Hyde

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 8:57 AM EST
Where: Western Hyde forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.410, -76.148 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread snowfall reports from trained spotters, the public, and CoCoRaHs data showed between ten and twelve inches of snowfall fell across mainland Hyde County between the morning of January thirty-first and the morning of February first.

High Wind, Northern Outer Banks

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 6:30 AM EST
Where: Northern Outer Banks forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 35.787, -75.781 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gusts of 60-65 mph were common on the northern Outer Banks.

High Wind, Hatteras Island

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 6:15 AM EST
Where: Hatteras Island forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 35.787, -75.781 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gusts of 60-65 mph were common on Hatteras Island.

High Wind, Ocracoke Island

When: February 1, 12:00 AM EST to 1:30 AM EST
Where: Ocracoke Island forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 35.410, -76.148 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gusts of up to 60 mph were common on Ocracoke Island.

Coastal Flood, Hatteras Island

When: February 1, 8:00 AM EST to February 2, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Hatteras Island forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.787, -75.781 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water was reported across HWY 12 in Buxton and the Pea Island area beginning with the Sunday morning, Feb 1st high tide. In additions, sound side areas in Hatteras Village became flooded due to the strong northwest winds on Sunday morning. In total, 4 homes collapsed into the ocean due to the coastal flooding and high surf from the weekend winter storm, with 1 home collapsing on Sunday, Feb 1st, and 3 more homes collapsing on Monday, Feb 2nd.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), ocean overwash was reported at Pea Island, northern Buxton, and the north end of Ocracoke Island, with additional overwash occurring on Buxton and Rodanthe secondary roads.

NC12 remains CLOSED between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, as well as on the north end of Ocracoke, as we continue to see ocean overwash from this weekend’s nor easter, NCDOT stated Monday (Feb 2nd) morning.

Coastal Flood, Ocracoke Island

When: February 1, 8:00 AM EST to February 2, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Ocracoke Island forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 35.410, -76.148 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coastal flooding closed Highway 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island for several days. In addition, the Ocracoke to Hatteras ferry was suspended.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Coastal Flood: Flooding of coastal land by the sea, from storm surge, onshore wind or high tides.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Carolina in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, February 2026

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1308670, 1308671, 1308676, 1308677, 1308678, 1308679, 1308680, 1308682, 1308683, 1308684, 1308685, 1308687, 1308688, 1308689, 1308690, 1308691, 1308692, 1308694, 1308695, 1308696, 1309022, 1309024, 1309026, 1315605, 1315606.