Strong winds, minor coastal flooding possible along Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands tonight
A fast moving weather system sliding across the mid-Atlantic this evening is expected to bring strong winds and possible minor soundside flooding along Hatteras and Ocracoke islands into early Saturday.
There is also a chance of some light precipitation across the area this evening, including a few snowflakes along the northern beaches.
And then a lengthy period of cold weather is forecast to settle in over the region.
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory from 8 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, and a Wind Advisory from 8 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday for areas south of Oregon Inlet.
Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected, with water levels 1 to 2 feet above ground level possible in low-lying areas along the soundside areas of the islands, especially in Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras village and Ocracoke village.
A few light rain showers are expected after sunset today, and with temperatures dropping near to just below freezing, there could be a short period where some snowflakes fall along the northern beaches and inland areas near the state line before ending by midnight. No accumulation of snow is expected locally.
Once the frontal system clears the area, it will be dry and cold on Saturday and into Sunday.
The next storm system that moves through will bring us a better chance of much-needed rain through Monday, as the Outer Banks and northeastern North Carolina remain in moderate drought conditions. That will be followed by very cold conditions which are expected to last through the middle of the month.
A list of local Outer Banks resources for additional information is as follows:
- For information on the local forecast, visit weather.gov/mhx for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.
- For local water level forecasts from the NWS, visit https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/mhx
- 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.
- 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.
