A developing coastal low will bring significant impacts to the coast from Friday through Sunday. The coastal low will move up the coast, starting Friday bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to the coast. Another major concern is going to be the impacts of Coastal Flooding, significant sound-side, and ocean overwash expected. The main impacts will be along the Crystal Coast and the Outer Banks with minor effects on the southern coast (Wilmington south). The exact track of the coastal low will impact what the coast sees.
Here's an early look at the impacts:
RAIN: Heavy rainfall will move in along the coast, starting Friday morning along the southern coast and move up the coast through the afternoon. The greatest rainfall will be along the coast 2-3" possible for the southern coast (Wilmington South). The heaviest rainfall appears to along the Outer Banks and Crystal coast 2-4" likely. Minor Flash Flooding will be possible, but due to the long duration of rain flooding will be low from rain.
COASTAL FLOODING: Significant to life-threatening coastal flooding expected along the Outer Banks starting Friday night through Sunday. The flooding will be both from ocean overwash and sound-side flooding. Potential for life-threatening storm surge, 2 to 4 feet above the ground with higher amounts possible High surf, beach erosion and ocean overwash likely.
GREATEST IMPACTS: Strong northerly winds will bring moderate to potentially significant Coastal Flooding to the Outer Banks. Soundside Outer Banks south of Oregon Inlet to Carteret County. The Lower Neuse River and the southern shores of Albemarle Sound and Alligator River. Significant oceanside impacts are expected along the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras north to Oregon Inlet. High 12 will become inundated and impassible in some portions this weekend.
WINDS: High Winds are possible mainly along the coast from Carteret County to the OBX Hyde and Dare counties, winds could gust up to 50-60MPH along the immediate coast. Impacts some power outages will be possible and minor damage to weakened properties. Strongest period of winds will be from Saturday morning to early Sunday along the Outer Banks.
South to the Cape Fear only minor wind gusts to 30-40MPH little to no impacts here from wind, however; the closer the low moves to the Cape Fear, Wilmington, Brunswick County area there could be stronger impacts.
As we get closer to the event details we come together a little better, stay tuned for updates on North Carolina's Weather Authority Facebook and website!