Distant Tropical Storm Henri could bring rough surf, dangerous rip currents starting Friday

Swells from distant Tropical Storm Henri will impact Hatteras and Ocracoke Island beaches from Friday through the weekend, resulting in rough surf and the potential for life-threatening rip currents, per a recent update from the National Weather Service Newport /Morehead City office.

Though Henri is expected to remain well offshore, increased swell from Henri will produce dangerous rip currents and hazardous swimming conditions along all Outer Banks beaches. Folks can stay informed on rip current and weather threats by signing by for the OBXAlerts system from Dare County, which provides both emergency and routine alerts for the Outer Banks. Anyone can sign up for OBXAlerts via this link, and can select the alerts and notifications they wish to receive.

As of midday on Wednesday, the center of Tropical Storm Henri was located about 190 miles SW of Bermuda and Henri was moving toward the west near 8 mph. This motion is expected to continue for another day or so, and a turn to the north is expected on Friday, with that motion continuing into the weekend.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts as of midday Wednesday. Little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days, but Henri is expected to become a hurricane by the weekend.

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather information, or visit the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.