Outer Banks rip current forecasts resume for 2024
While water temperatures are still too chilly for most people, the National Weather Service is resuming its seasonal rip current and beach conditions forecast this month for part of the Outer Banks.
Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, and typically extend from near the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves.
They are responsible for more deaths along the beaches of the United States each year than any other hazard.
Known as the Surf Zone Forecast, the product issued in the early morning, around midday, and late afternoon (with updates as needed) includes the outlook for rip currents over the next 48 hours based on three levels:
- Low Risk: The risk for rip currents is low, however, life threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers.
- Moderate Risk: Life threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone.
- High Risk: Life threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.
The forecast also includes predicted surf height, potential for lightning and thunderstorm, UV index, sky conditions, air temperature, winds, water temperatures and high and low tide times.
The Rip Current Outlook is just a general summary for the potential of rip currents happening along a geographic area.
Conditions along a specific stretch of beach can vary from others nearby, especially around piers which can enhance rip currents, especially with low tide.
Local lifeguard services will begin with roaming patrols in the coming weeks, with lifeguard stands staffed from mid-May to early September from Corolla to Nags Head.
In Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the only beaches that have lifeguards are at Coquina Beach, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse beach, Frisco Bathhouse and Ocracoke bath house, between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
On Hatteras Island the Chicamacomico Banks Rescue and Hatteras Island Rescue provide roaming patrols using trucks.
The Newport/Morehead City office began issuing the twice-daily forecasts on Sunday afternoon for the following zones:
- Northern Outer Banks: Duck to Oregon Inlet – including Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, South Nags Head and Coquina Beach/Bodie Island.
- Hatteras Island: Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras – including Pea Island, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon and Buxton; Cape Hatteras to Hatteras Inlet – Frisco and Hatteras village.
- Ocracoke Island
Forecasts for the Currituck County beaches of Corolla, Swan Beach and Carova Beach, are issued by the Wakefield weather office and will begin in May.
A graphical-style forecast page is also available from the National Weather Service that includes the entire mid-Atlantic.
When necessary, the National Weather Service will issue updates to the Surf Zone Forecast with input from lifeguards on scene, and observations using webcams at key points along the coast.
Local officials along the Outer Banks then utilize the forecast to produce their own daily updates by email, text, and on social media.
To sign up for emergency alerts from Dare County and its municipalities, and for beach safety and rip current information, visit LoveTheBeachRespectTheOcean.com.
Currituck County provides beach safety and emergency updates for Corolla and the mainland via Currituck Alert.
