Latest snowfall totals in Eastern NC

A few areas in Eastern North Carolina woke up to an unusual sight on this Veterans Day, with snowflakes falling weeks ahead of winter. A strong Arctic cold front swept through overnight, dropping temperatures from the 50s into the 30s and sparking light snow early Tuesday morning. For many communities along and north of U.S. Highway 64, the pre-dawn hours brought a brief dusting of snow on rooftops and grassy surfaces. While accumulations were minor, this early-season snowfall is usually in our area so early in November.

According to early reports from the WITN First Alert Weather team and NWS spotters, snowfall amounts ranged from just a trace to around half an inch across the region. Here are some preliminary totals (as of late Tuesday morning):

• Woodley (Tyrrell County): 2.10″ of snow
• Columbia (Tyrrell County): 0.50″
• Jamesville (Martin Co.) / Fairfield (Hyde Co.): 0.30″
• Scuppernong area (including Roper & Plymouth in Washington Co.): 0.10″
• Swan Quarter (Hyde County): Dusting (a few flurries, no accumulation)

Snowfall records for ENC are not as well kept as its temperature and precipitation records. Three observation sites are located near where snow fell this morning. Williamston, Columbia/Gum Neck, and Plymouth would all set records for the earliest snowfall on record when snowfall is confirmed. Right now, we can only confirm Columbia/Gum Neck with 0.6″ of snow. Previous record was December 26th, 2010. Williamston’s earliest snowfall was November 24th, 1935, and Plymouth’s was November 21st, 2008.

This early morning snow came hand-in-hand with a hard freeze. Temperatures plunged below freezing across much of Eastern NC by daybreak, effectively ending the growing season for most of our area Many communities saw their first hard freeze/frost of the season – for example, lows hit 30°F in Kinston and Windsor, and bottomed out around 33°-34°F in places like Edenton and Greenville. Even along the coast, some spots dipped to freezing or just above.

Be sure to stay with WITN on-air and online as we receive updates throughout the day. Be sure to download the WITN First Alert Weather App free of charge from the Google Play or Apple stores.