Coastal low may bring heavy rains, high winds, and possible coastal flooding this weekend

An offshore and slow-moving, developing low pressure system is forecast to come ashore over the weekend, bringing widespread showers, possible thunderstorms, and strong northeasterly winds to Eastern N.C. starting Thursday night, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Rainfall of 1-3″ with locally heavier amounts is possible from Thursday night through Memorial Day Monday, and gale force winds are expected with seas building to 10-15 ft. Friday night into Saturday.

The strong winds will also result in rough surf, minor coastal flooding (ocean and sound side), localized ocean overwash north of Cape Lookout, and an elevated rip current risk for area beaches.

The main coastal flood concerns will be oceanside areas north of Cape Lookout, and soundside areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound, and the Neuse, Bay, Pamlico, and Pungo Rivers.

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/.