The first week of August is expected to be a wet one, thanks to an unusual weather pattern for mid-summer setting up over the Outer Banks and eastern North Carolina.
Rain is forecast through the weekend thanks to a series of low pressure systems expected to cross the region along a drifting frontal boundary.
“Due to recent heavy rains, soils in the area are very saturated, and we have seen well above normal rainfall going back a couple months,” said Shane Kearns, a forecaster at the Newport/Morehead City National Weather Service office.
“This will lead to increased runoff from additional rainfall, increasing the risk for flash flooding, with another four to ten inches expected through the rest of the week,” Kearns said.
A flash flood watch is in effect for the Dare beaches and Ocracoke, along with mainland areas south of the Albemarle Sound, for Tuesday through Thursday.
That will likely mean areas normally-prone to flooding from heavy rainfall events from Carova to Ocracoke will experience standing water, including sections of N.C. 12 and adjacent side streets.
There is also a moderate risk of rip currents, and only experienced surf swimmers should enter the ocean today.
National Weather Service forecast for Nags Head, as of Tuesday, 7 a.m.:
Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10am. High near 78. Northeast wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 70. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Wednesday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 83. Light and variable wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 84. South wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday
Showers likely before 8am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 89.
Subscribe to our Daily Email Newsletter!
Get the top stories from the Outer Banks in your inbox each morning.
