Elevated risk of rip currents will continue through the week

A high risk of rip currents is expected for the Outer Banks beaches north of Cape Lookout, per a Saturday morning update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City office.

Elevated rip current activity will continue through this coming week, as Tropical Storm Paulette, (which is predicted to become Hurricane Paulette), is expected to pass to the east of N.C. towards Bermuda.

Though Paulette is forecasted to stay well offshore, a long period swell from Paulette will produce dangerous rip currents, and may produce ocean overwash and coastal flooding, especially from Cape Lookout north. The timing of any flooding would be sometime early next week, per the NWS.

A high risk of rip currents means that life-threatening rip currents are likely, and the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers.

To check the updated beach forecast from the National Weather Service, visit www.weather.gov/beach/mhx. Beach-goers can also text “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890 to sign up for text alerts from local Outer Banks Lifeguards on beach conditions.

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/.