Alert archive / North Carolina / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026

Beach Hazards Statement 36, NWS Wilmington, NC

July 19, 2026New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this beach hazards statement at Jul 19, 2026, 8:01 PM EDT for New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina. It took effect at Jul 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 19, 2026, 8:01 PM EDT (00:01 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 20, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
Expired
Jul 20, 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 00:04 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, 0.0 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-07-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2007 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-07-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 95 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
2007 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-54 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1079 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
8.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

197 
WHUS42 KILM 200001
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
801 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-210000-
/O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0035.000000T0000Z-260720T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0036.260720T1000Z-260721T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
801 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

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

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

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New 
  Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal 
  Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Monday through Monday 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.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WHUS42 KILM 200644
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
244 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-210000-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0036.260720T1000Z-260721T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
244 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

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

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New 
  Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal 
  Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Monday through Monday 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.

&&

$$
596 
WHUS42 KILM 210002
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
802 PM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-220000-
/O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0036.000000T0000Z-260721T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0037.260721T1000Z-260722T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
802 PM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

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

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New 
  Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal 
  Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Tuesday through Tuesday 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.

&&

$$

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 19, 2:37 PM EDT, 5 hours 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1)Hot weather continues through Wednesday. 2) Late Wednesday through Friday may offer the area's best rain chances in quite some time.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 19, 2:37 PM EDT, 5 hours 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
237 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
There have been no significant changes to forecast thinking.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1)Hot weather continues through Wednesday.

2) Late Wednesday through Friday may offer the area's best rain
chances in quite some time.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGE 1...Hot weather continues through Wednesday.

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
Despite the lack of mid level ridging being present like during
our hot July start there is simply nothing to scour out the
very warm boundary layer temperatures. Temperatures will remain
near 20C at 850mb and the steep lapse rates that have been
developing beneath this layer mid 90s should be easily
attainable tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon. Increased
convective cloud cover will make an area-wide Heat Advisory not
a certainty though, but at least part of the area will see heat
headlines.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Late Wednesday through Friday may offer the
area's best rain chances in quite some time.

KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...
A cold front will drop into the area late Wednesday accompanied
by mid level height falls and in the presence of PW values as
high as 2.4". This should allow for fairly widespread shower and
thunderstorm activity with heavy rain and downbursts possible.
SPC has us in a fairly rare Day4 Outlook whilst WPC has the area
highlighted for SLGT/Level 2 outta 5 for Excessive rainfall in
addition to a forecast of a couple inches of drought- relieving
QPF. With the front stalling just offshore in the late portions
of the forecast cycle there is uncertainty regarding whether or
not a temporary day of drying occurs. This may be slated for
Friday before the next disturbance rotates around the eastern
U.S. trough and another wave forms on the boundary leading to
another round of rainfall next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
An agitated cumulus field across southeastern NC and extending into
northeastern SC will provide the initial focus for showers and
storms through ~22z. The greatest potential for brief sub-VFR
restrictions will be at KLBT, KILM and possibly KFLO. Southwest
winds inland will increase this afternoon, enhanced by the seabreeze
with sustained winds increasing to 15-20 kt along the coast with
gusts to 25 kt expected.

Additional showers and storms may re-develop this evening and
persist into portions of the overnight hours, primarily across
southeastern North Carolina with sub-VFR impacts possible at KLBT
and KILM.

Extended Forecast... With a front stalled north of the
area, scattered showers and storms are anticipated Monday afternoon
into the night with brief periods of MVFR or IFR restrictions
possible. As on Sunday, the highest convective coverage is expected
across northern-NC TAF sites (KLBT, KILM). Storm chances decrease on
Tuesday, leaving a low risk for transient MVFR or IFR restrictions
in convection. Thunderstorm coverage is expected to increase
Wednesday into Thursday as a stronger cold front approaches,
bringing a greater potential for widespread storms and associated
restrictions Wednesday and Thursday.

&&

.MARINE...
Tonight through Friday... The gradient remains pinched between high
pressure offshore and the Piedmont Trough. The gradient will ease
only slightly tonight from south to north and the current advisory
headlines have not been changed. It's worth noting that the ease in
gradient and that conditions will be close to but just shy of
advisory thresholds with respect to wind whereas the largely coast-
parallel flow will keep the larger seas outside of 20nm as they
continue to run in the shorter end of the period spectrum (little to
no swell energy). The next front drops down late Wednesday and winds
pick up back into SCA realm, perhaps more solidly. &&

.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for NCZ087-096-099-
     105>110.
     Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ106-
     108.
SC...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for SCZ017-023-024-
     033-054-058-059.
     Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ054-
     056.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM EDT Monday for AMZ250-252.
     Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for AMZ254-
     256.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...MBB
KEY MESSAGES...MBB
DISCUSSION...MBB
AVIATION...MBB
MARINE...MBB

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 19, 3:18 PM EDT, 4 hours 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
318 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

NCZ087-SCZ017-024-191945-
Robeson NC-Marlboro SC-Dillon SC-
318 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN ROBESON...
NORTHWESTERN DILLON AND EAST CENTRAL MARLBORO COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM
EDT...

At 318 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Clio, or 12 miles east of Bennettsville, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Raemon around 325 PM EDT.
  Purvis around 340 PM EDT.

This includes Interstate 95 in North Carolina between mile markers 2
and 7.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3484 7932 3452 7919 3451 7958 3457 7959
      3467 7951 3463 7946 3477 7933 3482 7936
      3484 7935
TIME...MOT...LOC 1918Z 251DEG 27KT 3459 7948

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

IGB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 19, 10:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson64 min
Jul 19, 11:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson60 min
Jul 20, 2:30 AM EDTHeat AdvisoryILMBladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson17 hr
Jul 20, 2:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender33 min
Jul 20, 2:51 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryILM59 hr
Jul 20, 4:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen43 min
Jul 20, 4:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson52 min
Jul 20, 4:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender52 min

Nearby

Beach Hazards Statements in North Carolina, 2026Beach Hazards Statements in South 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.