In its morning winter storm warning, the National Weather Service in Wilmington said the Wilmington area could pile on 3 to 4 inches of snowfall. However, the National Weather Service in Raleigh predicts 4 to 6 inches of snow in the Wilmington area as of 12:30 p.m.

The N.C. Department of Transportation held a news conference Tuesday morning to discuss preparation for expected winter weather in the area.

But Wednesday morning found the couple bundled up in their big coats, hats and gloves once again as they wandered along the Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach with dozens of others residents and visitors surprised and bemused to see snow on the beach.