Confidence continues to increase that the Outer Banks will see impacts from a complex low pressure system this weekend, including strong winds, coastal flooding, and dangerous marine conditions, per an update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office.
Heavy rains are expected Friday night and Saturday, with 2-3 inches forecast for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible along the coast, and wind gusts of 45-55 mph are forecast throughout the weekend.
Southerly winds will peak Friday night into Saturday morning, and northerly winds will peak Saturday night
into Sunday evening.
Minor to moderate coastal flooding is likely along the oceanside starting Friday night, with localized ocean overwash, rough surf, and beach erosion, which may affect N.C. Highway 12.
Soundside flooding is most likely from Ocracoke to Avon late Saturday night through Sunday as northerly winds peak. Oceanside flooding and overwash are possible through Monday, but the greatest risks of overwash will be Friday night into Saturday, and Saturday night into Sunday.
A Gale Warning, High Surf Advisory, and Wind Advisory has been issued for the Outer Banks.
- 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/.
- 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. Users will get notified of any schedule changes directly from the terminal, and can unsubscribe at any time.
- For updates regarding road conditions, 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.
