Weather News

Snow on the Outer Banks? Yep, it happens. Here are photos from past storms on NC coast

By Ethan Hyman
After a couple of hours on the steep slopes at the Wright Brothers Memorial Dave Robertson gathers up his three children and heads back to their car on after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the Outer Banks in January 2002.
After a couple of hours on the steep slopes at the Wright Brothers Memorial Dave Robertson gathers up his three children and heads back to their car on after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the Outer Banks in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

When you think of the Outer Banks, snow is not the first word to come to mind.

But there have been times in the past where the pristine beaches, piers, lighthouses and landmarks get their share of white flurries.

It doesn’t happen often, but Tuesday’s snowstorm was expected to dump several inches of snow along North Carolina’s coast, including the towns of Manteo, Nags Head and Kitty Hawk. The National Weather Service forecast maps showed the potential accumulations in two spots near the coast: 6 to 8 inches in the area from Beaufort to Manteo, and 4 to 6 inches from Wilmington to Elizabeth City.

We looked back at times in 2002, 2003 and 2018 when coastal areas had enough snow for residents to trade in their surfboards for sleds. (Yes, people did sled at the Wright Brothers Memorial.)

Outer Banks locals gathered at the Wright Brothers Memorial to sled or ski the steep banks after a winter storm hit the area in January 2002.
Outer Banks locals gathered at the Wright Brothers Memorial to sled or ski the steep banks after a winter storm hit the area in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Jacqueline Riddle, left, and April Whisonant walk their dogs Nikki and Fat Boy through the blowing snow as the sun sets at Kill Devil Hills after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow in January 2002.
Jacqueline Riddle, left, and April Whisonant walk their dogs Nikki and Fat Boy through the blowing snow as the sun sets at Kill Devil Hills after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Nathan Stanley, 12 , of Abington, Va. runs through a snowdrift in Nags Head on Jan. 4, 2018.
Nathan Stanley, 12 , of Abington, Va. runs through a snowdrift in Nags Head on Jan. 4, 2018. Chuck Liddy News & Observer file photo
With fresh snow on the ground, The Bodie Island Lighthouse is framed by a thicket of pine trees, and their shadows cast by the afternoon sun after a winter storm dumped eight inches of snow on the Outer Banks in January 2003.
With fresh snow on the ground, The Bodie Island Lighthouse is framed by a thicket of pine trees, and their shadows cast by the afternoon sun after a winter storm dumped eight inches of snow on the Outer Banks in January 2003. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
From left Tal Madison, his daughter Ragan Madison, 11, and his wife Julie Madison struggle to walk through knee high snow drifts on the sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean during a winter storm in January 2002.
From left Tal Madison, his daughter Ragan Madison, 11, and his wife Julie Madison struggle to walk through knee high snow drifts on the sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean during a winter storm in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
In the fishing village of Wanchese, several inches of snow blanket Gordon Pratt’s home and yard, including his van which is equipped with a host of fishing poles in January 2003.
In the fishing village of Wanchese, several inches of snow blanket Gordon Pratt’s home and yard, including his van which is equipped with a host of fishing poles in January 2003. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
An abandoned car sits in the Hwy 64 median near Plymouth, N.C. on Jan.4, 2018. A winter storm paralyzed eastern North Carolina and made travel treacherous throughout the region.
An abandoned car sits in the Hwy 64 median near Plymouth, N.C. on Jan.4, 2018. A winter storm paralyzed eastern North Carolina and made travel treacherous throughout the region. Chuck Liddy News & Observer file photo
Wanchese fireman Mike Hekking directs traffic in blizzard conditions at the scene of a single vehicle accident in January 2002 as a winter storm moved across the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The snow combined with high winds made driving treacherous throughout Dare County.
Wanchese fireman Mike Hekking directs traffic in blizzard conditions at the scene of a single vehicle accident in January 2002 as a winter storm moved across the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The snow combined with high winds made driving treacherous throughout Dare County. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Greg Bailey of Kill Devil Hills tries out his snow board at the Wright Brothers Memorial after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the Outer Banks in January 2002.
Greg Bailey of Kill Devil Hills tries out his snow board at the Wright Brothers Memorial after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the Outer Banks in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Kenneth Brown of Manteo, shovels snow from his boat the “Trophy Hunter” at the Oregon Inlet fishing center after a snow storm in January 2003. “I’ve never had to shovel my boat, it’s something we don’t get to do too often here”, Brown said as he dumped snow over into the frozen harbor.
Kenneth Brown of Manteo, shovels snow from his boat the “Trophy Hunter” at the Oregon Inlet fishing center after a snow storm in January 2003. “I’ve never had to shovel my boat, it’s something we don’t get to do too often here”, Brown said as he dumped snow over into the frozen harbor. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
-This pubic beach access sing is covered with snow in Kill Devil Hills as a winter storm hits the area in January 2002.
-This pubic beach access sing is covered with snow in Kill Devil Hills as a winter storm hits the area in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
High winds and blowing snow make it tough on a seagull to eat a peanut in eastern North Carolina on Jan. 4, 2018.
High winds and blowing snow make it tough on a seagull to eat a peanut in eastern North Carolina on Jan. 4, 2018. Chuck Liddy News & Observer file photo
Danielle Vena and her daughter Autumn Sailor, 10 have impromptu snowball fight on a beach acres ramp in Nags Head on Jan.4, 2018. They were exploring the beach after an early morning winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the area.
Danielle Vena and her daughter Autumn Sailor, 10 have impromptu snowball fight on a beach acres ramp in Nags Head on Jan.4, 2018. They were exploring the beach after an early morning winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the area. Chuck Liddy News & Observer file photo
After a couple of hours on the steep slopes at the Wright Brothers Memorial Chris King, foreground, and members of the Robertson family head back to their cars after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the region in January 2002.
After a couple of hours on the steep slopes at the Wright Brothers Memorial Chris King, foreground, and members of the Robertson family head back to their cars after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on the region in January 2002. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
A large portion of the Roanoke round near Whalebone Junction in North Carolina is covered with ice on Jan. 4, 2018.
A large portion of the Roanoke round near Whalebone Junction in North Carolina is covered with ice on Jan. 4, 2018. Chuck Liddy News & Observer file photo
Gale force winds and below freezing temperatures make an unusual ice sculpture on a paddle board storage support along Hwy 64 near Whalebone Junction on Jan.4, 2018.
Gale force winds and below freezing temperatures make an unusual ice sculpture on a paddle board storage support along Hwy 64 near Whalebone Junction on Jan.4, 2018. Chuck Liddy News & Observer file photo
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