Update: Winter weather advisory looming as snow chance increases; flood watch, wind advisory issued for coasts

The chance for snow accumulation remains uncertain, but has increased slightly since Saturday morning, and a flood watch and wind advisory will go into effect for coastal areas on Sunday.

A winter weather advisory is looming for the inland Horry County area and other neighboring counties in northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina on Saturday afternoon as National Weather Service officials in Wilmington, N.C. continue to closely monitor an incoming low pressure system that could bring in a wet wintry mix.

“A chance continues for a wintry mix across portions of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina beginning early Sunday morning. Confidence is low but some areas, primarily inland, could see up to an inch of wet snow accumulation. A few areas may receive more. All interests in the area should closely follow this developing weather situation as a subtle change to the forecast may drastically alter the impacts,” Steve Pfaff, NWS meteorologist said in a brief at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Forecasters also issued a flood watch and wind advisory for coastal areas on Saturday afternoon, and those advisories will go into effect Sunday morning and will be in place through the evening as heavy downpours are expected to drench the coast bringing in 1 to 3 inches of rain and the possibility of 45 mph winds.

Weather service authorities were predicting a 30 to 40 percent chance of nearly an inch of flakes accumulating for the western half of Horry County and some nearby areas Saturday morning, but increased the odds to a 40 to 50 percent chance by Saturday afternoon. Myrtle Beach isn’t expected to see accumulation, but strong winds could blow some flurries into the area.

A low pressure system will blow across the Grand Strand Saturday night, causing temperatures to dip into the 30s overnight, but forecasters remain unsure if the air will lead to a light frosting of snow.

“Temperatures in the lower part of the atmosphere could either support snow or rain, uncertainty remains with the potential for accumulating snow,” Pfaff said.

Snow will likely fall early Sunday morning, and precipitation could continue through the day as a wintry mix of flakes and rain with any snow accumulation blanketing grassy areas or elevated surfaces and could possibly impact travel, authorities said.

While the coastlines aren’t likely to see many flurries, heavier rainfall is expected with lesser amounts projected farther inland, Pfaff said. A flood watch is in effect Sunday morning through the evening for Horry, Georgetown, Brunswick, N.C., Columbus, N.C., Pender, N.C., and New Hanover, N.C.

Weather authorities are concerned additional heavy rainfall on already rain-soaked ground could quickly lead to more flooding and said potential for flooding is high, especially in low-lying, poor drainage areas, and other prone places.

Incoming rain could also worsen the already-flooded Waccamaw River and Northeast Cape Fear rivers, forecasters said.

The wind advisory will be in place Sunday morning through the evening for Horry, Georgetown, Brunswick, N.C., Columbus, N.C., Pender, N.C., and New Hanover, N.C. The gust are expected to be strongest along coastal areas, forecasters said.

The wind is projected to strengthen Sunday morning and will be at its strongest during the day on Sunday before lessening early Monday morning, forecasters said.

The Grand Strand is likely to be drenched Sunday morning and afternoon, but precipitation is expected to end Sunday night, forecasters said.

The Horry County Emergency Management Division is continuing to monitor the incoming storm, according to Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman.

Residents are encouraged to drive carefully and stay alert as conditions develop.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Update: Winter weather advisory looming as snow chance increases; flood watch, wind advisory issued for coasts."