Strong winds, large surf, and severe storms possible on Saturday

There is increasing confidence that strong S to SW winds ahead of a cold front will bring impacts to the Outer Banks on Saturday, including possible coastal flooding, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Increasing southerly swell will result in large surf and beach erosion along beaches south of Cape Hatteras this weekend. Water level rises are also possible along the northern Pamlico Sound, and near inlets west of Cape Lookout.

Maximum wind gusts of 45 mph are currently forecast along with severe thunderstorms, and a few stronger storms could bring more extensive wind damage to some Eastern N.C. areas on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Strong winds and at least minor coastal impacts are likely, but overall coverage of showers and storms Saturday afternoon/evening remains uncertain, per the NWS. The forecast will be refined as the weekend approaches.

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/.