Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from South Santee River, South Carolina, to Duck, North Carolina, per the 5 p.m. public advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC.)

The watch is in response to a potential tropical system which originated in the eastern Gulf of Mexico late last week, and which crossed the state of Florida to the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 to 48 hours.

At 5 p.m., the disturbance was centered just off the coast of Georgia, and was stationary. A slow northward motion is expected tonight and Monday, followed by a faster northeastward motion Monday night and Tuesday.

Per the NHC forecast track, the system will move slowly toward the South Carolina coast tonight and Monday. The system is forecast to move near the northeastern coast of South Carolina and along the North Carolina coast Monday night and Tuesday.

Satellite wind data and buoy observations indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the system is expected to become a tropical storm tonight or Monday.

Island residents and visitors should prepare for potential high winds with gusts up to 40-50 mph, heavy rain in the 2-4” range per the NHC, (with higher accumulations in isolated areas), minor coastal flooding, rough surf and high waves.

Visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather forecast information covering Eastern NC, and visit the National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov for information on the tropics.

The Island Free Press will continue to monitor this system and will post updates as soon as they are available.