Cold front will impact the Outer Banks starting Tuesday; Wind gusts over 70 mph possible

A strong cold front is expected to impact the Outer Banks starting Tuesday, bringing the threat of coastal flooding and hurricane-force wind gusts, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

The biggest threats for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are ocean overwash and soundside flooding, high winds, and the potential for severe thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate on Tuesday morning, with south winds of 35-50 mph and gusts of 70 mph or more forecast from Tuesday afternoon through midnight.

Up to 1.5 inches of rain is forecast during the storm, and severe thunderstorms capable of producing isolated tornadoes are possible. The public is advised to have multiple ways to receive tornado warnings, as needed.

Powerful southerly swell, strong winds, and elevated water levels could produce moderate to locally significant ocean overwash from Duck to North Topsail Beach, N.C., with offshore wave heights of 20-25 ft. currently forecast.

Minor to moderate coastal flooding is also expected along the soundside for areas adjacent to the Pamlico Sound, with rapid water level rises likely from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.

2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, resulting in a threat of property damage. Some roads and low-lying properties, including homes close to the waterfront, will likely experience shallow flooding.

A Coastal Flood Warning, Storm Warning, High Wind Warning, and High Surf Advisory have been issued for the Outer Banks, with the Coastal Flood Warning in effect from 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Ocracoke-Swan Quarter and Ocracoke-Cedar Island ferry operations have been suspended as of Tuesday morning, and the Hatteras-Ocracoke vehicular ferry will likely be suspended later in the day as well. To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins.

Travel on N.C. Highway 12 may be impacted due to ocean overwash. For updates regarding road conditions during the storm, visit DriveNC.gov and follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on its Facebook page.

For more information on the local weather 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/.