A winter storm blanketed Tyrrell County in 3-4 inches of snow before dawn on Thursday, January 4.

Rain began falling after sunset Wednesday. Then the thermometer dipped below freezing about midnight, and the ground was covered by the white stuff before 4 a.m. Thursday.

Strong winds accompanied the storm Wednesday night and until midday Thursday.

The thermometer reached 32 degrees for the high on December 31, 29 on New Year’s Day, 28 on January 2, and 38 on January 3.

Temperature at sunrise Thursday was 26 degrees, the fifth consecutive day below freezing at sunrise. The high in Columbia was 29 degrees from noon to near sunset. The sun peeked out from time to time.

Forecasters were calling for even lower subfreezing early morning temps through Monday, January 8, with Sunday predicted to have the coldest start at 10 degrees.