50 mph wind gusts, 7-10 ft. waves forecast with approaching cold front

A strong cold front will move through Eastern N.C. Thursday night into Friday, bringing high winds, the threat for severe thunderstorms and heavy rains, and coastal flooding, per a Thursday morning update from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City office.

Coastal flooding with minor soundside inundation up to 2 ft. above ground level is currently forecast for late Thursday night and early Friday, and large surf with 7-10 ft. breaking waves could result in minor beach erosion and ocean overwash in hot spots along N.C. Highway 12.

Strong winds ahead of the cold front will develop on Thursday night and will continue behind the cold front on Friday. Maximum wind gusts up to 51 mph along the Outer Banks are expected, and 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall is also possible through Thursday night.

A Coastal Flood Advisory has been issued for all of Hatteras Island and the northern Outer Banks, and a Wind Advisory and High Surf Advisory has been issued for all of the Outer Banks as well, including Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.

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/.