Forecasters say over half the U.S. population could be affected by snow, ice or bitter cold as a winter storm sweeps across the county.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued a coastal flood watch at 2:18 p.m. on Thursday valid from Saturday 4 p.m. until Monday midnight.

"The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes," explains the NWS.