Another round of rain will break the latest heat wave across the Outer Banks
For the second straight week in a row, the first half of the week has been dominated by heat, and the second half will be dominated by rain.
And if the forecast holds, drought conditions that have been deepening across North Carolina may get washed away, at least in the eastern half of the state.
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to move into the region Wednesday night, and then increase in their coverage and intensity as a cold front stalls over the Carolinas through the weekend.
“There are flash flooding concerns each day, although Thursday and Friday are more likely to see flash flooding in our area,” stated forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Newport.
There is also a chance that some thunderstorms could reach severe levels, with damaging winds the primary threat, according to NWS Wakefield.
Total rainfall forecasts say between 3 and 5 inches of rain is likely across northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks through Saturday, with higher amounts possible.
More typical summertime weather is expected starting Sunday, with sunny skies and afternoon pop-up showers and storms.
Along the beaches, on Thursday, it will be a red flag day from Cape Hatteras southward due to an increased threat of longshore currents and rip currents. Everyone should stay out of the ocean off Frisco, Hatteras Village, and Ocracoke Island.
It will be a yellow flag day from Oregon Inlet to Buxton, where a moderate risk of rip currents is expected. Only experienced surf swimmers should be in the ocean off of Pea Island, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, and northern Buxton.
The greatest risk of rip currents is a few hours before and after low tide, which is around 11 a.m. on Thursday.
