High risk of rip currents continues on Friday

A high risk of rip currents continues for all beaches along Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island on Friday, October 8, per a recent update from the National Weather Service.

A high risk of rip currents means that the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers, and beachgoers should stay out of the water. The high rip current risk extends from Cape Lookout to Duck, N.C., and the most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple of hours on either side of low tide, which is around 4 p.m. on Friday.

Additionally, periods of rain, which could be heavy at times, will persist today through Monday morning, with up to 3 inches of total rainfall through the weekend.

The public should check surf and swimming conditions before heading to the beach, and the daily beach forecast at www.weather.gov/beach/mhx includes rip current risk levels, and information about other hazards along the beach. In addition, visitors are encouraged to sign up for text alerts from Dare County, ocean rescue agencies, and the National Weather Service by texting “OBXBeachConditions” to 77295.

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