Topsail Island is no stranger to storms. This barrier island is accustomed to and thrives with routine thunderstorms that pass over the island in summer. These storms are often welcome visitors, offering respite from the baking Carolina heat by bringing cool shade, thirst-quenching rain, and visual spectacle to nature and beachgoers alike.
January and February of 2026, however, have seen storms of the more arctic variety grace the island. The recent extreme cold has blanketed the lower forty-eight and brought the white touch of winter to the South Topsail Preserve. Revealing a new side of serenity at The Point.
Snowstorms aren’t impossible this far south, but they are definitely uncommon. Most of us who love and know Topsail Island don’t know this side of her – when dunes resemble tundra more than sandy beach. It’s a stark contrast to our sunshine and flip-flop-wearing temperatures.
But even in this icy stillness, The Point continues to enchant. Snowbanks mirror the flow and waves of the dunes. Cold water still reflects the crisp colors of winter sunsets. Wildlife, though drowsy, make the best of their new, brief winter world.
This momentary scene returns to something more familiar in the daytime. As the polar vortex loosens its grip on the island, the snow sinks into the sand, dousing the roots and marshes with fresh water and minerals. The Point reclaims the snow and holds it till summer comes again.
Words by Gavin Stanton Shwahla, Photos by Roy Costa, Video by Shannon Crownover