A slow moving, developing low pressure system offshore, is forecast to come ashore into the Carolinas Saturday or Sunday, according to a Thursday update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City.
This low will bring widespread showers and possible thunderstorms with heavy rains and strong northeasterly winds to eastern North Carolina beginning Thursday and continuing into Memorial Day weekend.
Some impacts expected form this system include:
- Rainfall of 2-4″ with locally heavier amounts possible through Memorial Day (Monday).
- Gale Force Winds with seas building to 10-15 ft Friday night into Saturday.
- Rough surf, minor coastal flooding (ocean and sound side), localized ocean over wash north of Cape Lookout, and an elevated rip current risk for the beaches.
The main coastal flood concerns will be oceanside north of Cape Lookout, and sound side adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound, Neuse, Bay, Pamlico, and Pungo Rivers.
Strong NE winds with gusts of 45-50 mph are also to be expected across Eastern Carteret, and Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands.
Additional details can be found on the attached infographic below:
