Alert archive / South Carolina / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026
Beach Hazards Statement 34, NWS Wilmington, NC
NWS Wilmington, NC issued this beach hazards statement at Jul 17, 2026, 9:15 PM EDT for Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina; New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina. It took effect at Jul 18, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 17, 2026, 9:15 PM EDT (01:15 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jul 18, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
- Expired
- Jul 18, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 14 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Wilmington, NC
Counties New Hanover County, NC, Pender County, NC, Georgetown County, SC, Horry County, SC
The radar
The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 7 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:17 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, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 172 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 3049 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -27 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 810 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 3 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -9 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 40 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
969 WHUS42 KILM 180115 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 915 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 SCZ054-190000- /O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0034.260718T1000Z-260719T0000Z/ Coastal Horry- 915 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Strong South to North longshore current expected, mainly during the afternoon and evening. There is also a Moderate Risk of rip currents expected from North Myrtle Beach northward. * WHERE...Coastal Horry County. * WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Saturday through Saturday 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. && $$ NCZ106-108-SCZ056-190000- /O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0034.260718T1000Z-260719T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Georgetown- 915 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Strong South to North longshore current expected, mainly during the afternoon and evening. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Georgetown County. * WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Saturday through Saturday evening. * IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to return to shore. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into. && $$ dch/rmiii
2 follow-up statements
217 WHUS42 KILM 180641 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 241 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-190000- /O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0034.260718T1000Z-260719T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry- Coastal Georgetown- 241 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Strong south to north longshore current. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties. * WHEN...Today. * 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. && $$ 9
893 WHUS42 KILM 182348 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 748 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-190100- /O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0034.000000T0000Z-260719T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry- Coastal Georgetown- 748 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... $$ IGB
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this beach hazards statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this beach hazards statement went out at Jul 17, 9:00 PM EDT, 15 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue this weekend. Rain chances increase late this weekend into early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 9:00 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
900 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated WWA Section.
The Heat Advisory has expired at 800pm.
The aviation discussion has been updated for the 00Z TAF
issuance.
For Sat 7/18...Moderate rip current risk in effect for Brunswick
and Northern Horry County beaches. Low rip current risk
elsewhere. Strong South to North longshore current expect along
E-SE facing beaches. Weak to Moderate West to East longshore
current expected along south facing beaches.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue this
weekend. Rain chances increase late this weekend into early
next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1... Hot and humid conditions are expected to
continue this weekend. Rain chances increase late this weekend
into early next week.
Latest round of guidance prompted no substantial changes to the
forecast. Above normal temperatures have arrived with high
pressure at the surface and ridging just to our north. A Heat
Advisory remains in effect through early this evening and hot
and humid conditions on Saturday may necessitate another
advisory. Low level moisture transport will allow surface
moisture to recover this weekend. Isolated to scattered showers
are expected on Saturday as a weakness in the ridge deepens on
Saturday. Rain chances increase on Sunday and Monday as an area
of low pressure develops over the northeastern Gulf. This area
of low pressure will drift northeastward into early next week
and bring tropical moisture to the region. Confidence on
location and exact impacts remains low.
&&
.AVIATION /01Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
VFR to dominate the 24 hr 00Z TAF Issuance Period. South 5 to
10 kt winds become SW around 5 kt overnight, helping to keep
fog development limited, if any. Cirrus 20-25k ft to dominate
overnight into Sat. Gradient between the Piedmont trof and high
well offshore from the SE States Coast tightens with SSW-SW
winds increasing to around 10 kt by late morning. Sea breeze to
start midday and will make some progression inland during the
aftn/evening. Winds at the coastal terminals will turn southerly
10-15 kt with g20+ kt possible by mid aftn thru the evening.
Subsidence inversion Sat aftn/evening a bit weaker than previous
days and as a result will include Prob30s at all terminals to
account for just -TSRA given plenty of dry air in the mid and
upper levels. Will also continue to observe milky colored skies
from the haze (ie. smoke) aloft.
Extended Forecast... High pressure will persist into Sun morning
with predominantly VFR conditions expected. Piedmont trof, sea
breeze and a cold front dropping south will result in scattered
to numerous showers and thunderstorms Sun afternoon thru Tue
with periodic MVFR and possibly IFR conditions possible.
&&
.MARINE...
W/SW winds through the period. Small Craft Advisory conditions
may be possible for the weekend as the pressure gradient
increases. Wind waves become more dominant with seas 2-3 feet
early this weekend increasing to 4-5 feet Saturday night into
Sunday. Some 6 footers are possible 20+ nmi offshore. Conditions
may improve slightly into Monday but there's some uncertainty
based the potential for low pressure development in the SE U.S.
late this weekend into next week. Latest guidance re-establishes
a strong gradient during the middle of next week as the surface
low passes to our south and east. Confidence is low.
&&
.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Beach Hazards Statement from 6 AM EDT Saturday through
Saturday evening for NCZ106-108.
SC...Beach Hazards Statement from 6 AM EDT Saturday through
Saturday evening for SCZ054-056.
MARINE...None.
&&
WHAT HAS CHANGED...DCH
KEY MESSAGES...ILM
DISCUSSION...ILM
AVIATION...DCH
MARINE...ILMIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 17, 3:36 PM EDT, 5 hours 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
336 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
SCZ039-172000-
Williamsburg SC-
336 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY
THROUGH 400 PM EDT...
At 336 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Kingstree, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Kingstree, Cades, Morrisville, Salters, and Williamsburg Regional
Hospital.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3373 7991 3382 7973 3382 7971 3381 7969
3382 7967 3381 7965 3382 7964 3381 7963
3380 7961 3360 7952 3353 7982
TIME...MOT...LOC 1936Z 250DEG 8KT 3368 7977
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SHKSpecial weather statement, Jul 17, 4:27 PM EDT, 4 hours 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
427 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
NCZ105-172100-
Inland Pender NC-
427 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PENDER COUNTY THROUGH
500 PM EDT...
At 427 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
White Stocking, or 9 miles northeast of Burgaw, moving southwest at
15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Burgaw, White Stocking, Rocky Point, Currie, Maple Hill, Long Creek,
Murray Town, Ashton, Malpass Corner, St. Helena, and Pender Memorial
Hospital.
This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 394 and 412.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3438 7785 3438 7786 3437 7788 3447 7813
3472 7786 3472 7778 3464 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 037DEG 15KT 3464 7781
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SHKThe office that day
Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 2:19 AM EDT | Heat Advisory | ILM | Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and 2 more | 18 hr |
| Jul 18, 3:16 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILM | Horry | 29 min |
| Jul 18, 2:39 AM EDT | Small Craft Advisory | ILM | 49 hr |
Nearby
Beach Hazards Statements in South Carolina, 2026Beach Hazards Statements in North Carolina, 2026Every beach hazards statement in 2026
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.