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Fri 4p: The latest snow forecast, 8-12 inches. Max snowfall will be late Saturday night through Sunday morning. NOAA says “worst case” for Oriental: 14 inches. TownDock Senior Management refers to that as “best case”.

7:08p Business hours this weekend are in flux, as folks adapt to the weather. Here’s what we know:

Piggly Wiggly hours posted above.
Saturday: The Bean will open 7:30a, until TBD. Mariposa will open 7a. Brantley’s will be closed. The Silos will open at 11a, until TBD. Ricks BBQ open 11a-6:30p, weather permitting.

Businesses are welcome to email info@towndock.net with this weekend’s open hours info.

4:10p NOAA/NWS Newport NC has issued a flood / water level graphic for the weekend that is good news:

This has our fair village at just 1-2 feet. We’d like this to be right, but planning on the potential of 3-4 ft still seems wise.

3:42p Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly has special snowstorm weekend hours:

• Today: Normal hours, open til 8p.
• Saturday: 7a – 5p
• Sunday: 10a-2p
• Monday: Normal hours, 7a – 8p.

3:40p No food truck today at New Village Brewery, and the brewery is closed Saturday.

3:10p. Cherry Branch suspended ferry runs just 15 minutes ago. Now there is a new announcement: the ferry is running, but on an amended schedule:

3:03p Will water levels rise this weekend? Yes… how much is the question. 2-4 feet forecast, expecting 3-4 feet may be wise.

Northeast and east winds cause maximum wind tide in Oriental. We’ll get northeast tonight, north Saturday and Saturday night. North winds push water levels up, too.

The good news is come Sunday winds will be northwest, probably meaning static water levels (not going up or down too much).

From the Neuse marine forecast – just the winds for the next few days:

• Tonight: Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to 20 – 25 after midnight. Gusts to 30 knots.
• Saturday: North winds 25 To 30 Kt, gusts to 35.
• Sat Night: North winds 25 to 35 knots, increasing to 30 to 40 after midnight. Gusts to 50.
• Sunday: Northwest winds 30 to 40 knots, gusts to 50, diminishing in the afternoon to 25 – 30 knots, gusts to 35.
• Sun Night: Northwest winds 20 to 25 knots, diminishing to 15 – 20 after midnight.
• Monday: Northwest winds 10 to 15.

2:54p From Cherry Branch Ferry Operations:

7:58a Up to a foot of snow expected. Add to that, 50 mph wind gusts:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Oriental Water Level Gauge
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Weather Radar

6:55a For those of you looking forward to taking the Polar Plunge – and those looking forward to watching the plunge – the event has been postponed because of the weather.

From organizer Jessie Aldridge:

The new event is in Lawson Creek Park, February 7. The updated information is here.

6:40p Now the prediction is for even more snow. Like a foot (or more) of the white stuff.

From NOAA/NWS:

• Snowfall rates may exceed 1”- 2”+ an hour during the peak of the storm Saturday Night through Sunday morning. Whiteout conditions possible.
• Blowing and drifting snow is likely, particularly in open areas and where there is exposure to north winds. Very poor visibility will result.
• Travel may be treacherous and potentially life-threatening.

Meanwhile, the incoming snow has Nautical Wheelers moving their wine tastings. From Bill Wheeler:

10:51a After a closed session at the end of today’s Town Board meeting, Commissioners returned to open session to appoint Officer Bill Wichrowski as the Oriental Chief of Police.

He will be sworn in at the February Town Meeting.

10:14a Commissioners met at Town Hall this morning for their January workshop and for the regular Town Board meeting.

Town Lawyer Scott Davis was there and answered Commissioners’ questions on changes to Rules of Procedure, changing existing ordinances, and their role in the meetings.

A report is coming.

3:20p This is confusing. NOAA’s forecast says we’re getting snow Saturday, probably Sunday morning too. It adds the words “little to no snow accumulation.”

Meanwhile, the local NOAA office has created a graphic that says we’re probably (80%) getting over 4 inches of snow.

We just might want to expect snow. And some serious wind tide.

Saturday is forecast to see northeast winds 20-25 knots, becoming north 25-30 in the afternoon. Sat night north 25-25, Sunday northwest 25-35.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

11:42a You were warned. You were given time to plan. Time to create.

And in 72 hours, it could be your time to shine. In whatever outfit you have deemed most worthy.

Saturday is the Pamlico County Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge.

And dear, brave soul – there’s the possibility of snow in the forecast.

TownDock will be there to document your triumph. You should be there with a change of warm clothes.

If you’re feeling brave, click here for a look at 2024’s Polar Plungers.

Sorry, there’s more. Here’s a look at the 2023 Polar Plungers.

To counter all this cold weather, you could pick up something spicy for lunch (today): El Taco Loco food tuck is on site at Triton Yachts.

2:22p It’s cold. It’s also beautiful out there. A good time to ponder boating in the new year.

With that in mind, NCO (Nautical Collective of Oriental) is back with a series of free sailing/boating seminars. Here is what’s ahead:

• Feb 7: Capt John Rahm – 3rd Wave Sailing – 10 Commandments to tie up boat
• Feb 14: Kirk Hathaway Cape Carolina LLC – Keep your Bottom in shape from a Diver’s perspective
• Feb 21: Capt John Rahm – 3rd Wave Sailing – 10 Commandments to dock a boat
• Feb 28: Darrell Foster – Foster Marine Service – Diesel maintenance
• March 7: Kristina Harborne – Evolution Sail – Pre season Sail inspection
• March 14: Darrell Foster – Foster Marine Service – Auxiliary Systems

All seminars are via Zoom. Find out more here.

Last night reached 17 degrees. Tonight, “warmer” – only down to about 20. Saturday and Saturday night are forecast to see snow in Oriental, a 70% chance.

Snow forecasts in eastern North Carolina are uncertain/variable until the day is closer. Simply put, you may want to trust the weekend forecast on Thursday better than today’s.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

1:22p The Gathering, scheduled for 6p tonight @ The Bean, has been cancelled due to the cold (and wet) weather.

7:33a Cold tonight? Forecast to be 18, the coldest of a week of cold nights ahead:

Today’s high mid 40s… it may be the warmest day this week.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

11:11a Rain today, won’t be happening until tomorrow.

OK, that sentence doesn’t quite jive. But we did have expectations of a wet Saturday. Precipitation is now not forecast until after midnight, with temperatures actually rising overnight. As a result, local icy conditions are unlikely.

An updated video from NOAA showing precipitation timing. Red = freezing rain, green just rain.

11:05a More weather changes: The Angry Lobster food truck at New Village Brewery has cancelled today due to weather conditions.

10:55a Today was set to be the day for Nautical Wheeler’s monthly wine tastings. The weather situation has re-scheduled that: From Bill Wheeler:

Postponed, same great wines but next weekend. This weekend’s wine tastings with Stephanie at Nautical Wheelers are being postponed until Friday, January 30th New Bern 4-6, Saturday, January 31st at 2 and 3pm in Oriental.
These wines are waiting on the shelves and a few folks have already picked up a bottle of the Paso Robles Red while preparing for snow and ice. Nautical Wheelers is open 10- 5:30 every day, rain or sleet or sunshine.

3:40p Some folks move away from Oriental… then miss this odd lil’ town, and move back a few years later. Some do it more than once.

One couple may have top billing in this category. They have moved away, and came back, nine times over 40 years.

In between it all, they have built houses and boats. Meet Katy Burke & Taz Waller.

The latest NOAA update continues to suggest that freezing rain Saturday will stay west of Oriental.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

8:37a When does trouble arrive? This video from NOAA shows the precipitation arriving. Red means freezing rain, green is just rain.

4:45p Total ice projections from NOAA now show all ice accumulation will be west of us. ‘

For our town, nada, zip, nuthin.

9:24a Putting aside anxiety about a wintery weekend, today is nice. Really nice.

Partly sunny, highs about 60. You lucky dawg.

OK. Back to weather anxiety.

Is your boat ready for the weekend? One part of boat life and weather is marine canvas. Breena Litzenberger takes a look a boat canvas and winter weather… in Canvas Corner.

8:17a The weekend is looking less scary than forecast, at least for our locale. Getting freezing rain/snow is possible, but now just a 5% possibility. Likely: wet & windy.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

12:27p This weekend’s potentially nasty weather has caused a change in plans for the Old Theater. From President Mary Taylor:

See a play on the stage or check out a few new yoga moves? This weekend, you can do both.

Tonight grab a burrito or quesadilla from Taco San Luis then walk inside to the Brewery for a stout (or non-alcoholic option for those doing Dry January).

Check out the usual suspects on Saturday: the Oriental Farmer’s Market from 8-11a on Hodges, La Cocina Del Coqui at the Brewery from 4-8p, or Mariposa (Saturday and Sunday) in the morning, 7-10a, evening 6-9p.

Try something new Saturday at 2p at Prasada Yoga. See the studio, meet the teachers, try a free Yoga class. It might make your 2026 more flexible.

Saturday night, head to The Old Theater at 7:30p to see a movie the old fashioned way: on a stage with live actors. The North Carolina History Theater presents 5 tales from short story master O. Henry in their adaptation of Friends, Lovers & All That Other Stuff.

There’s another chance to see the play Sunday at 3p. Tickets for either show can be purchased online or at the door.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

9:26a It’s been about a year since Oriental last experienced a snowfall: January 22, 2025 according to the TownDock.net archives.

Here’s the drone view of a wintery Oriental:

We might get a bit of the stuff again come Sunday, but it’s not expected to stick around.

Today is mostly sunny and breezy, with temps near 40 and northwest winds at 15-20 mph.

Tonight, temperatures are below freezing – down to the lower 20s. The wind chill values for tonight may drop as low as 14.

10:24a Craving tacos, burritos, or quesadillas for lunch? El Taco Loco is in town today.

The food truck visits Triton Yachts Boat Yard on Midyette St. at 11a. Going forward, El Taco Loco plans to visit Triton Yachts every Wednesday.

If you’re looking to hear – or play – live music this week, you have two options:

• Open Mic Night at The Silos tonight at 7p. Bring your voice, your instrument, or both. Music happens upstairs.

• Music Jams Third & Fifth Thursday at Pamlico Community College tomorrow night. Free and open to the public. Bring your instrument to play or pull up a chair and just listen. Jam starts at 6p in the PCC Delamar Auditorium.

10:31a Last week, daily temps were mostly in the 60s, with lows above 40. Overnight, temps dropped down to 28 degrees. The Oriental Weather Station’s 10-day temperature graph shows the change:

This week, daily highs will bounce between mid 40s to mid 50s, and lows range from 30 to 40 most evenings.

Wednesday is the exception: temps will be near 60. There’s a chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows below freezing Thursday night.

January’s monthly Town Board meeting has been moved to coincide with their Quarterly Workshop. It is at 9a, Thursday January 29 at Town Hall, and open to the public.

3:38p Before choosing your Sunday cultural experience, you have to get through the first half of the weekend. And it starts tonight.

Friday evening, visit Tanja’s German Street Food at the Brewery for an authentic Döner sandwich (and more), from 5-8p.

Saturday, Mariposa returns with fresh baked goods in the morning from 7-10a and wine and charcuterie in the late afternoon and evenings, 3-8p.

Get fresh produce at the Oriental Farmer’s Market along Hodges Street from 8 – 11a.

Brant Island plays at the Brewery from 3-5, while Jasmine Tasty Thai serves chicken pad Thai, curry and more, 4-8p.

Details of Sunday’s Choose Your Own (Cultural) Adventure are below.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

11:22a Come Sunday afternoon, you have a decision to make.

Culture, or culture?

Sunday at 4:30p ArcoStrum performs at the River Dunes Harbor Club, presented by Pamlico Musical Society. ArcoStrum is violinist Strauss Shi and guitarist TY Zhang.

As a virtuoso alternative, there are sheriffs, horses and trains coming to the Old Theater screen:

Blazing Saddles, Sunday 3p at the Old Theater.

4:42p This afternoon, one of Oriental’s own returned to town. Hoover, the large orange cat, was returned by car to his home at the Oriental Marina and Inn.

He’d been missing for the last month. Thanks to a microchip, he was located at an animal shelter in Chapel Hill.

No one knows how Hoover got that far away, though he has been known to climb into boats and on trailers for a nap. Thanks to the efforts of Amy Dish and her friends, Hoover was able to catch a ride back home.

Always the outdoor cat, Hoover’s now busy reacquainting himself with his old territory: Hodges Street in front of The Bean and Harbor View Day Spa down to the intersection of the Oriental Marina & Inn and Marsha’s Cottage.

8:23a The Polar Plunge, a cold weather dip in the Neuse, is a few weeks away: Saturday, January 31. But that gives you time to prepare.

Mentally. Physically. Fashionably.

Past participants took the plunge as penguins, pirates, and walruses. One brave soul displayed his Canadian pride, wearing a maple leaf, a cape, and little else.

Start shoring up your mental defenses. Stretch your muscles. Pick the perfect outfit.

And sign up to support Pamlico Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge.

10:22a If you see Joe Valinoti today, Happy Birthday would be the right greeting.

8:41a It’s a little cool out there: 38 degrees as of this writing.

But warmer weather will prevail today and throughout the week. High is near 60, with temps in the mid 60s to 70s through Friday.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

Bow to Stern has open sailing on their Cape Dory Typhoons today at 3p. Bring your own crew or join one of their experienced sailors.

Capricorn aligned pets may want to check out the Weekly Pet Horoscopes for tips on long-term planning and renegotiating social contracts with your human providers.