Coastal Flood, High Surf, and Wind Advisories Issued For Tuesday Night and Wednesday

A strong cold front will move across eastern North Carolina Tuesday evening into Wednesday, producing gusty winds, elevated water levels, and near-freezing temperatures, per a Tuesday morning update from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City office.

Winds of 25-30 mph with gusts up to 40-45 mph are forecast for Thursday night, and 1-2 feet coastal flooding is possible through Wednesday. Rough surf is also forecast with the system, with seas as high as 10-12 feet, and a sharp temperature drop will result in temperatures of 35-40 degrees along the Outer Banks.

“Freezing precipitation is not going to be a concern with this particular system, but in terms of coastal flooding, the gale-force northerly winds and higher-than-normal tides will [likely result] in a minor coastal flood threat across the southern Pamlico Sound,” said Morgan Simms, Meteorologist with the Newport / Morehead City NMW office.

A Wind Advisory, Coastal Flood Advisory, High Surf Advisory, Small Craft Advisory, and Gale Warning have been issued ahead of the system for the Outer Banks from Thursday afternoon through Wednesday. A Freeze Warning has also been issued for portions of inland Eastern North Carolina.

Temperatures will start to warm back up and winds will diminish on Thursday, however, the winter weather could return by the weekend.

“There is the potential for more unsettled weather going into the weekend – Friday into Saturday – which could also bring another round of high winds,” said Simms. “It’s something to keep an eye on.”

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.