High Surf Advisory issued for the Outer Banks; Ocean overwash possible late Thursday night

A High Surf Advisory has been issued for the Outer Banks beaches from Duck to Cape Lookout, where rough surf and minor beach erosion are expected, and localized ocean overwash is possible along portions of N.C. Highway 12, starting on late Thursday night.

The High Surf Advisory is in effect from 2:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. on Friday, due to large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet in the surf zone, per the National Weather Service.

Southeast wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph are also expected along the N.C. coast late tonight and Friday morning, and Gale Warnings are in effect for the coastal waters.

Severe thunderstorms are possible along the Outer Banks Thursday night into Friday morning, with the capability of producing damaging wind gusts, a few tornadoes, and locally heavy rain.

A high risk of rip currents from Duck to Cape Hatteras is forecast for Thursday as well, and the high rip current risk is likely to carry over into Friday.

Due to the late-night timing of the severe weather, the public is advised to have multiple ways to receive warnings, and can stay informed by signing by for the OBXAlerts system from Dare County, which provides both emergency and routine alerts for the Outer Banks. Folks can sign up for OBXAlerts via this link, and can select the alerts and notifications they wish to receive.

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/.