Low pressure system will bring heavy rain, strong winds, and possible coastal flooding this weekend
A strong low pressure system will impact the Outer Banks this weekend, bringing the potential for heavy rain, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms, 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 soundside and oceanside, with localized ocean overwash, rough surf, and beach erosion which may affect N.C. Highway 12. Impacts may linger into Monday along the Outer Banks.
There is still some uncertainty with the track and strength of the low pressure system, which will have an impact on the risk of severe weather, where the heaviest rainfall occurs, as well as the magnitude and duration of the strongest winds. The NWS will continue to fine-tune specific impacts over the next few days and provide updates.
- 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.
