Forecasts for snow, gale-force winds and coastal flooding stretch from the Southeast along the Atlantic Coast.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCN) — As the chances grow for a winter storm hitting North Carolina this weekend, the Outer Banks and other coastal communities could be dealing with a blizzard — along with flooding.

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 watch is for Northern Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island.

A strong winter weather system has the potential to develop into a bomb cyclone off the East Coast later this weekend.

Beaufort County now faces likely “major impacts” this weekend, with high odds of over 4 inches of snow, strong winds, subfreezing temps and travel disruptions.

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 Sunday 7 p.m. for East Carteret.

Areas from the Southeast to New England will be hit by blizzard conditions, damaging winds, flooding and icy cold this weekend.

North Carolina is bracing for another major weather system that could bring widespread heavy snow, dangerous cold and near-blizzard conditions.