A complex weather system moving across the Deep South forecast to possibly be one of the worst March tornado outbreaks in a decade will bring severe weather to eastern North Carolina on Thursday, then stall offshore and produce several days of strong winds along the Outer Banks with a risk of ocean overwash and soundside flooding.
“The Moderate Severe Outlook has been trimmed back to areas south of Highway 70, but we are still expecting severe weather late this afternoon into this evening across all of eastern N.C.,” said forecasters at the Newport/Morehead City office of the National Weather Service. “In addition, strong winds developing behind a cold front Friday should result in potential coastal flooding Friday and into the weekend.”
All severe hazards remain possible including damaging wind gusts, large hail in excess of one inch in diameter, and tornadoes. A few tornadoes could be strong, especially in the Moderate Outlook area.
Additionally, a strong cold front is forecast to push across the region on Friday bringing strong northerly winds, according to forecasters.
“This could lead to minor to moderate coastal flooding for portions of soundside Outer Banks and tidal tributaries, and ocean overwash across the Northern Outer Banks.”
Gale warnings, wind advisories, and coastal flood watches have been issued in anticipation of the strong winds Friday into the weekend.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms could arrive at anytime Thursday afternoon, with a line of the strongest storms are currently forecast to arrive between 4 and 11 p.m. in northeastern North Carolina, and between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. Friday along the Outer Banks.
Because of the timing of the storms’ arrival, you need to make sure you have multiple ways to receive the latest information.
Along with OBX Today, we’ll have updates throughout the duration of the severe weather event on Beach 104, Big 94.5 WCMS, 99.1 The Sound and News Talk 92.3 WZPR.
A NOAA Weather Radio, with fresh batteries) and a mobile device with alerts turned on are also recommended.
In addition to severe weather, a strong cold front is forecast to push across the region on Friday bringing strong northerly winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible.
This could lead to minor to moderate coastal flooding for areas soundside from Buxton to Ocracoke, and ocean overwash along the east-facing beaches from Buxton to the state line.
Dangerous boating conditions are forecast starting late Thursday and last into early next week. A gale warning has been posted for all coastal waters.
Beach Driving Suspended off Kill Devil Hills
Hazardous beach conditions have the potential to last more than several days. To protect Kill Devil Hills beaches, deter ocean over-wash, and protect property the Town will be closing drive-over beach accesses with barricades and sand pushes.
Closing beach accesses will be completed in the afternoon of March 18, and will remain closed to public beach driving until further notice.
The town will monitor beach conditions every day and take action to reopen the beaches for driving as soon as conditions are deemed safe.
Do not take risks with yourself, your vehicle, or with the lives of those that would be called to respond to a rescue situation. Beach conditions for the next several days are not going to be conducive to activities on the beach, especially beach driving.
