Alert archive / North Carolina / Rip Current Statements in 2023

Rip Current Statement 6, NWS Wilmington, NC

May 25, 2023New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this rip current statement at May 25, 2023, 8:20 PM EDT for New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina. It took effect at May 26, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 25, 2023, 8:20 PM EDT (00:20 UTC)
In effect from
May 26, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT
Expired
May 26, 2023, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
14 hr
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC

Counties New Hanover County, NC, Pender County, NC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:21 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 103 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2023-05-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2023-05-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 101 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
747 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
101 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
170 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

284 
WHUS42 KILM 260020
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
820 PM EDT Thu May 25 2023

SCZ054-056-260830-
/O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0016.000000T0000Z-230526T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0017.230526T1000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
820 PM EDT Thu May 25 2023

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT FRIDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong north longshore current. There is also a Moderate
  Risk of rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Friday through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers 
  into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. 
  It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to 
  return to shore.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with
lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-260830-
/O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0016.000000T0000Z-230526T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0006.230526T1000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-
820 PM EDT Thu May 25 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT FRIDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Friday through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

NCZ107-260800-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0039.230526T0600Z-230526T0800Z/
Inland New Hanover-
820 PM EDT Thu May 25 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 4 AM EDT
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level 
  expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal 
  waterways.

* WHERE...The lower Cape Fear River including downtown 
  Wilmington.

* WHEN...From 2 AM to 4 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...The lowest portions of USS North Carolina Road and 
  Battleship Road begin to observe minor coastal flooding. Water 
  begins to spread out of storm drains onto Water Street just 
  south of Market Street in downtown Wilmington.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Affected areas listed are based on 
  average tide conditions. Additional locations may experience 
  flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or 
  other factors.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.

&&

Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.

Cape Fear River at Wilmington
MLLW Categories - Minor 5.5 ft, Moderate 6.8 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 0.8 ft, Moderate 2.1 ft, Major 5.3 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 26/03 AM     5.5        0.8        1.4       N/A     Minor    
 26/04 PM     5.0        0.3        1.4       N/A      None    
 27/04 AM     5.8        1.1        1.8       N/A     Minor    
 27/05 PM     5.3        0.6        1.6       N/A      None    
 28/04 AM     5.3        0.6        1.4       N/A      None    
 28/05 PM     4.6       -0.1        0.8       N/A      None

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
212 
WHUS42 KILM 260657
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
257 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

NCZ107-260800-
/O.CAN.KILM.CF.Y.0039.000000T0000Z-230526T0800Z/
Inland New Hanover-
257 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

Water levels will crest below minor flood stage, and therefore the
coastal flood advisory has been cancelled.

$$

SCZ054-056-270000-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0017.230526T1000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
257 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong north to south longshore current. There is also a
  Moderate Risk of rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers 
  into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. 
  It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to 
  return to shore.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with
lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-270000-
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0006.230526T1000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-
257 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. Strong north to south
  longershore current expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

19
052 
WHUS42 KILM 260719
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
319 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

NCZ106-108-261530-
/O.NEW.KILM.SU.Y.0005.230526T2100Z-230528T0000Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0006.230526T1000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-
319 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM
EDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents and
  strong north to south longshore current expected. For the High 
  Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet expected in 
  the surf zone.

* WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through this evening. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, from 5 PM this afternoon to 8 PM 
  EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

SCZ054-056-261530-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0017.230526T1000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
319 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong north to south longshore current. There is also a
  Moderate Risk of rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers 
  into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. 
  It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to 
  return to shore.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with
lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

19
508 
WHUS42 KILM 261519
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1119 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

NCZ106-108-270200-
/O.CON.KILM.SU.Y.0005.230526T2100Z-230528T0000Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0006.000000T0000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-
1119 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON
TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents 
  and strong north to south longshore current expected. For the 
  High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet 
  expected in the surf zone.

* WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through this evening. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, from 5 PM this afternoon to 8 PM 
  EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

SCZ054-056-270000-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0017.000000T0000Z-230527T0000Z/
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
1119 AM EDT Fri May 26 2023

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong north to south longshore current. There is also 
  a Moderate Risk of rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers 
  into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. 
  It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to 
  return to shore.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with
lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 26, 3:19 AM EDTHigh Surf AdvisoryILMNew Hanover, Pender47 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in North Carolina, 2023Every rip current statement in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.