Ocean overwash, strong winds forecast for the Outer Banks over Easter Weekend

There is increasing confidence that an extended period of strong north to northeasterly winds behind a stalled cold front will impact the Outer Banks over Easter Weekend, per a Friday morning update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Marine conditions will deteriorate as winds pick up, bringing large, dangerous seas and rip currents starting Friday afternoon and persisting into the weekend. A Wind Advisory has been issued for Hatteras Island from 5 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday for 25- 35 mph northeast winds with gusts up to 50 mph.

With the large surf and northeast winds, ocean overwash should be expected from Duck to Hatteras, particularly late Saturday through Monday, leading to potential beach erosion and minor overwash in vulnerable areas.

While no inundation levels above ground have been forecast yet for the ocean overwash, there is potential for impacts at vulnerable sections of N.C. Highway 12, especially around high tide.

The storm will bring 2-3 inches of rainfall across most of eastern N.C. starting today, with the heaviest rainfall expected Saturday into Sunday.

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/.