Winter Storm Hits Coastal Virginia and North Carolina, Disrupting Daily Life

NORFOLK, Va. — A winter storm swept through Coastal Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina on Tuesday evening, bringing snow, frigid temperatures, and hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Southside Hampton Roads and parts of Northeast North Carolina, effective until early Wednesday afternoon.

Areas closer to the coast, including Elizabeth City and the Outer Banks, experienced significant snowfall due to an arctic airmass settling over the region. Chief Meteorologist Tim Pandajis of 13News Now explained that the storm’s impact varied across the region, with some areas receiving up to half an inch of snow by early Wednesday.

Hampton City Schools announced a shift to remote learning on Wednesday, citing accumulating snow and hazardous conditions. Chesapeake high schools also moved to asynchronous virtual learning, while Virginia Beach pretreated nearly 700 miles of roadways in preparation for the storm. Public Works crews focused on primary roads and critical public safety buildings, though neighborhoods and side streets remained untreated.

Keith Parker, Superintendent of Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Schools, encouraged students and staff to enjoy the rare snow day. “It’s not typical for us to get snow in this region, in this state,” Parker said. “So on behalf of our student body, I hope we get snow, and I hope that we can enjoy a well-deserved snow day.”

Transportation services in the region faced delays and disruptions. Hampton Roads Transit announced that bus, light rail, ferry, and paratransit services would begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, with potential delays and detours. The Virginia Zoo, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and several recreational facilities also closed or delayed openings due to the storm.

VDOT Hampton Roads District reported that crews were working around the clock to clear roads, urging motorists to avoid travel from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. Suffolk Public Schools canceled after-school activities and implemented a two-hour delay on Wednesday, while Dare County Schools closed entirely for the day.

The National Park Service closed visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wright Brothers National Memorial in the Outer Banks due to the storm. College of The Albemarle campuses also closed early on Tuesday and remained shut on Wednesday.

As the storm continued, residents shared photos and updates on social media, capturing the rare winter scenes. Elizabeth Pettigrew of Currituck County posted images of her snow-covered pool, while Alex Littlehales documented the snowfall in Virginia Beach. The 13News Now team provided live updates on the storm’s impacts, urging residents to stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel.