Portions of Southeastern NC already under winter weather advisory

WILMINGTON -- A cold front edging toward the region will bring chilly temperatures Wednesday, but likely not snow to much of the three-county region.

While portions of Southeastern North Carolina are under winter weather advisories, a National Weather Service forecast said the coastal region will likely see more rain than snow. NWS meteorologists are waiting until the mid-afternoon to make a more definitive winter weather forecast for the Cape Fear region.

"For here, it's probably looking at a dusting right now, but that could change," said Michael Caropolo, the meteorologist-in-charge at the NWS' Wilmington office.

Models are, Caropolo said, trending toward slightly heavier snow north and west of Wilmington -- possibly increasing the possibility of impacts to the Port City.

Forecasts, for instance, say Wilmington has a 50 percent chance of rain on Wednesday with a chance of snow between 8 and 11 p.m. Wednesday evening. If anything — rain or snow — does fall in the area, the forecast said, it would likely amount to less than a tenth of an inch.

Northern Pender County could be included in a winter weather advisory later today, according to the NWS forecast.

The only warning issued in the region so far was a flood advisory for the Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw, which was at 7.8 feet at 11 a.m. and enters advisory stage at 8 feet. According to the advisory, the river is expected to reach about 8.1 feet just after midnight, likely affecting parts of River Bend Road and River Birch Road.

Temperatures across the Wilmington area are expected to dip into the low 20s Wednesday night before "warming" up to the low 40s on Thursday.

Reporter Adam Wagner can be reached at 910-343-2389 or Adam.Wagner@GateHouseMedia.com.