Wind Advisory, High Surf Advisory in effect for this weekend

A slow-moving low pressure system is forecast to come ashore into the Carolinas this weekend, bringing heavy rains, strong northeasterly winds, and possible coastal flooding, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

A Wind Advisory is in effect due to strong northeast winds with gusts up to 45-50 mph from late Friday into Saturday along Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

Large, dangerous surf and some beach erosion is expected for beaches from Duck to Cape Lookout. Some ocean overwash is possible for vulnerable areas on Hatteras Island, but impacts are expected to be minor.

“At this point in time, coastal flooding impacts and ocean overwash are anticipated to be minimal in Dare [County],” stated Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson in an update. “Conditions can easily change with future forecasts leading to impacts to travel on N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island as well as at vulnerable oceanfront structures on the north end of Rodanthe… Travelers should keep an eye on road conditions, especially at vulnerable spots where the pros at NCDOT are already out working hard to shore up the dunes and keep sand off the road surface.”

For current road conditions, visit DRIVENC.

High winds may affect ferry schedules in several locations. To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts on the North Carolina Ferry System’s new FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins.

As for soundside flooding, the main coastal flooding concerns will be for soundside areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound, Neuse, Bay, Pamlico, and Pungo Rivers.

Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected Friday night into Saturday night and additional rainfall is expected Sunday and Memorial Day. The latest forecast guidance suggests total rainfall amounts of 1-3” inches through Monday, with locally higher amounts possible.

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/.