High winds, cold temps, possible coastal flooding  forecast for Saturday By IRENE NOLAN

By IRENE NOLAN

By IRENE NOLAN

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City has issued a coastal flood advisory for the soundside areas of Hatteras and Ocracoke islands from 10 a.m. on Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday.

A strong cold front will pass through the area tonight, followed by a major surge of Arctic air and high winds on Saturday.

The Weather Service advises that a 12-hour period of gale force winds is possible, and forecasters have also issued a high wind advisory for the Outer Banks, which is in effect from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Winds are expected to be west and northwest from 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

Water level rises on the east side of the Pamlico Sound along Hatteras and Ocracoke could be as much as 2 feet above normal, with the highest levels occurring Saturday afternoon into the evening.

Freezing temperatures are possible over the mainland areas of eastern North Carolina, and lows on the Outer Banks are forecast in the mid- to upper 30s on Saturday night.

Highs will reach only into the low to mid-50s on Sunday, but will quickly rebound to near normal temperatures by early next week.

No precipitation is expected with the cold front, and the Weather Service warns that high winds and low humidity on Saturday will result in a high fire danger.

For more information on the forecast and for updates, go to www.weather.gov/mhx/