A strong cold front will move through the Outer Banks on Wednesday, bringing high winds, thunderstorms, and the potential for coastal flooding and ocean overwash, according to an update from the National Weather Service (NWS).
A Coastal Flood Advisory and High Surf Advisory are in effect for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands due to dangerous waves of 10-20 feet that are expected to reach their peak on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
There is the potential for localized beach erosion and localized ocean overwash, and minor soundside flooding of 1-2 feet above ground level is possible from Wednesday morning until Wednesday evening due to prolonged, strong southerly winds.
A High Wind Advisory is also in effect until 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. Wind gusts up to 45-50 mph are currently forecast for the Outer Banks, peaking Wednesday afternoon, although damaging wind gusts during heavy thunderstorms could reach 60 mph or more.
The most likely timing of thunderstorms along the Outer Banks is 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and while widespread flooding is not expected, heavy rains may lead to nuisance flooding and ponding on roads. A couple of brief tornadoes during strong thunderstorms may also occur.
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.
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