A strong cold front is expected to impact the Outer Banks from Friday evening into Saturday, bringing the potential for severe thunderstorms, marine hazards, and strong winds, per a Friday morning update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.
Conditions will begin to deteriorate on Friday evening, January 12, with severe weather possible from 7:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.
Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are a possibility ahead of the cold front, and the public is advised to have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Non-thunderstorm wind gusts up to 50 mph are forecast, with the highest gusts expected along the N.C. coast.
10-15 foot waves are also forecast for coastal waters, and ocean overwash may occur, especially in areas with compromised dunes. The threat of soundside coastal flooding is minimal, however, as the southwesterly gales will pass through the area quickly. Water levels could reach as high as 1 foot above normal.
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/.
