Potential low pressure system could bring heavy rains, gusty winds next week
A low pressure system is expected to develop off the southeast U.S. coast this weekend, and could bring an extended period of rain to eastern North Carolina next week.
The area off the South Carolina and Georgia coasts is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center for possible development over the next seven days.
“The risk of impacts appears to be increasing regardless of whether or not this system becomes tropical,” according to forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City.
According to the latest forecasts, Ocracoke and southern Hatteras Island could receive between 4 and 6 inches of rain by next Thursday, with locally higher amounts possible.
Northern Hatteras Island, along with the Hyde County mainland and areas around Stumpy Point and Columbia may see between 3 and 4 inches.
The northern beach towns, Roanoke Island, Manns Harbor, East Lake, and Lower Currituck County could get between 2 and 3 inches.
Other possible impacts include gusty winds, rough surf, coastal flooding and beach erosion, along with hazardous marine conditions.
“There remains uncertainty as to the timing and magnitude of potential impacts,” NWS Newport said.
Prior to that system developing, onshore winds increased on Thursday as the area was sandwiched between a trough to the south and high pressure to the north.
Expect gusty northeast winds, along with rough surf and powerful shorebreak to continue into the weekend. A high risk of rip currents is forecast for all of the Outer Banks beaches on Friday.
