ARTIC AIR COMING TONIGHT – HEAVIEST SNOW LATE SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY AM
WEATHER INFORMATION:
According to the latest briefing from NWS Wilmington:
Advisories, Watches, Warnings
- Winter Storm Warning across the area late tonight into Sunday afternoon.
- Gale Warning across the coastal waters from Surf City, NC to South Santee River, SC out 20 nautical miles.
- Cold Weather Advisory for inland counties tonight.
- Extreme Cold Warning across the area early Saturday evening through Monday morning.
Other Important Updates
- Snow onset is trending earlier (Saturday morning).
- High confidence in extremely cold air for the area this weekend, creating significant, rare wind chills.
- Increasing confidence for significant snow and associated impacts.
- High confidence in hazardous winds and seas for the coastal waters over the weekend, creating dangerous conditions for mariners.
VILLAGE OPERATIONS:
- The Island Package Center & Post Office will be closed on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
- Village offices and the Island Package Center & Post Office will be closed on Monday, February 2, due to the inclement weather and potential impacts to ferry service. Essential staff and remote-capable staff will be on duty.
- The annual Village Council Retreat, scheduled for 2/3 & 2/4, is canceled and will be rescheduled to a later date (TBD). However, the Village expects to have the February regular Council meeting on Wednesday, 2/4 at 10:00 a.m.
- The Village continues to engage with Brunswick County Emergency Management and the Emergency Operations Center as it is currently in enhanced monitoring status and heightened readiness posture to support response operations as conditions develop.
- All NC Division of Environmental Quality guidance has been followed in regard to preparing the public water and sewer system for potential weather impacts.
- Public Works has salted entries and sidewalks at Village properties for safer ingress/egress of the public and our essential staff. Island roads are non-DOT roads and have not been prepped for upcoming precipitation. Public Works crews will mobilize as soon as possible to safely clear roads of debris. Mother Nature will have to do her work to clear the snow. Reports of road conditions will be shared on the Village website and social media.
- Please check the Village’s Severe Weather Event webpage and social media for frequent updates as information becomes available.
GUIDANCE FOR ISLANDERS:
Ferry Service
The latest from Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc.:
1/30/26 @ 1:00 pm: Due to forecasted impacts from Winter Storm Gianna, including gale-force winds and snowy conditions, Bald Head Island Transportation anticipates suspending operations beginning today, Friday, January 30, 2026, following the final scheduled departure from Bald Head Island at 10:30 p.m. We anticipate that service will remain suspended through Monday, February 2, 2026, at which time conditions will be evaluated to determine when operations may resume. We will continue to closely monitor weather conditions throughout the weekend and into early next week and will provide timely updates regarding anticipated ferry operations through our mobile app and website. Please continue to monitor these channels for the most up-to-date information.
Please use Bald Head Island Transportation Inc.’s app or check the website for real-time status.
Personal & Property Preparations
Today was the day to finish preparations for the storm. There are some great tips on Brunswick County’s website HERE on heating your home safely.
Travel on Village roads will be hazardous – falling snow and strong winds may impact visibility, weaken trees causing falling limbs and debris, and make some roads impassable. Lingering cold temperatures may keep the snow on the roads longer, making travel, especially via golf cart, difficult into Monday, possibly later. Please stay home. You do not want to get stuck in the extremely cold temperatures.
Power Outages
Be prepared for possible power outages. Report any power outages to Duke Energy. View our power outage webpage HERE for more information.