When it rains this winter, it pours. But we may finally be in for an extended period of dry weather next week.
A series of persistent low pressure systems that brought record-breaking cold along with ice and snow to the Deep South and spawned a deadly tornado in southeastern North Carolina have been responsible for the near constant bouts of rain on the Outer Banks over the past two weeks.
This is getting close to one of the wettest Februarys ever recorded in northeastern North Carolina.
Billy Mitchell Field in Frisco has already measured 4.42 inches of rain through Thursday, 1.82 inches above normal for the month.
The weather reporting station for Cape Hatteras has received 18.51 inches since the start of meteorological winter on December 1, 6.4 inches above normal over the period.
A flash flood watch continues for the Outer Banks through this evening, with periods of rain, some heavy at times, and additional 1 to 1.5 inches expected.
Saturated ground will result in runoff and flooding issues can be anticipated for low lying areas near creeks and streams, which are already running backfull.
We are forecast to get a break from the rains over the weekend before a weak cold front slides through on Monday to bring us a shorter period of showers. Then high pressure is expected to build in with sunny skies and moderate temperatures.
"I wanna know…. Have you ever seen the rain?"
Short answer: yes. 🌧 #RainRainGoAway #PuddlesInThePark pic.twitter.com/4WsgH9nS39— Wright Brothers National Memorial (@WrightBrosNPS) February 19, 2021
National Weather Service Forecast for Nags Head, as of Friday 10 a.m.:
Flash flood watch until 7 p.m.