Beach Hazards Statement 41, NWS Wilmington, NC

556 
WHUS42 KILM 020900
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
500 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-021530-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0041.260802T1000Z-260803T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
500 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

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

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

* 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 you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

583 
WHUS42 KILM 021502
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1102 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

NCZ110-030000-
/O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0013.260802T1502Z-260803T0000Z/
Coastal Brunswick-
1102 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Coastal Brunswick County.

* WHEN...Today.

* 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.

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-030000-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0041.000000T0000Z-260803T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
1102 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT 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...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 you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

963 
WHUS42 KILM 022352
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
752 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-030100-
/O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0041.000000T0000Z-260803T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
752 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...



$$

NCZ110-030100-
/O.EXP.KILM.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260803T0000Z/
Coastal Brunswick-
752 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...



$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
243 PM EDT Sat Aug 1 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No major changes coming down the track as we head towards 3 PM
EDT. Updated the aviation section below for the 18Z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Wet and unsettled pattern Sunday through at least mid week.

- 2) Strong southerly winds and hazardous marine conditions
  expected to develop Sunday into Monday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
.KEY MESSAGE 1...Wet and unsettled pattern Sunday through at
least mid week.

Latest surface analysis shows an old frontal boundary that
snakes through middle TN to metro Atlanta to the southern
portions of the CSRA to SC Lowcountry and offshore. Aloft, an
upper low is spinning over Illinois and Indiana, while ridging
holds on over the Atlantic. Increased gradient flow has been
noted between these two upper level features, and the coastal
Carolinas are in perfect position to soak up lower level
moisture from the SE to SSE. In the 300-700 mb layer, deep SW
flow is ushering even more rich moisture form the Gulf.
Convection is already starting to stir up along the shortwaves
in the SC Pee Dee region.

Scattered showers and storms expected to continue this afternoon
and evening, mostly in northeast SC. Tonight should have an
overall lull in the activity, besides a few stray showers or
storms trying to push into the Pee Dee region, or offshore
storms attempting to scrape the coast.

Moisture continues to load into the air Sunday, creating a
tropical atmosphere without the tropical system. Precipitable
water (PWAT) values jump up into the 2.00-2.25" range, which is
right around 125-150% of normal for this time of year. The warm
front will lift northward, aiding in the initial lift for
showers and storms to the area. Showers and storms are expected
to become more widespread along the coast at first, translating
to the inland areas by later Sunday afternoon.

Forecast guidance shows that the upper low doesn't appear quite
as stagnant as it did 24 hours ago. Even so, the trough axis
will amplify and dig as far south as the Gulf coast. This
enhances the ribbon of moisture transport across the eastern
Carolinas, allowing for healthy doses of rain to continue
through at least Tuesday. The trough appears to loosen up a bit
by Wednesday, although guidance is shaky on the details. Periods
of rain could easily go into Wednesday if the moisture regime is
maintained.

The system appears to favor coastal areas with the most rainfall
amounts, potentially 1-2 inches. Inland areas look more like
0.50-0.75". Locally higher amounts are possible everywhere.
Training in storms may create isolated flooding in some spots.

Widespread dewpoints in the mid-to-upper 70s will promote
healthy buoyancy, leading to moderate instability each day.
Isolated severe weather possible each day, particularly damaging
winds.

.KEY MESSAGE 2...Strong southerly winds and hazardous marine
conditions expected to develop Sunday into Monday.

Small Craft Advisory in effect. See the Marine section below for
more details.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
VFR to open the 18Z TAF period, with restrictions on the way.
Scattered convection over the SC Midlands and Pee Dee may try to
spill over into KFLO and KLBT through this evening, creating
brief MVFR to IFR conditions in heavy rain or TSRA. Overall lull
in the activity expected tonight, but PROB30 groups were
included after 06Z to account for storms potentially scraping
the coastal terminals. Ceilings come down through the overnight
hours, where many could be battling MVFR after 06Z. Warm front
pushes onshore Sunday, creating more widespread showers and
storms towards the end of the period. MVFR ceilings dominate,
with IFR possible during TSRA.

Extended Forecast...A slow moving upper trough settling over
the region, combined with an anomalously moist airmass, will
support periods of showers and storms from Sunday afternoon through
at least the middle part of next week. Periodic sub-VFR
restrictions will be possible in heavier showers and
thunderstorms. The moist low-level airmass will also support a
greater potential for morning stratus each day.

&&

.MARINE...
Through Thursday...Moderate breeze out of the SE veer to the S
tonight, as a warm front lifts back to the coast. Seas start to
increase modestly at first, going from 2-3 ft to 3-5 ft. Winds
increase considerably on Sunday as the pressure gradient
tightens and the front lifts inland, resulting in a fresh to
strong breeze out of the SW to SSW. Small Craft Advisory goes
into effect at noon EDT Sunday for the coastal waters from Surf
City, NC to South Santee River, SC out 20 nm, expiring at 8 PM
EDT Monday. In response to these gradient winds, seas rapidly
increase to 4-7 ft out 20 nm, up to 7-8 out 60 nm, before
improving gradually towards 3-4 ft Monday night and Tuesday.
Winds back slightly to the S Tuesday, improving to a moderate
breeze, and then towards a gentle breeze by Thursday. Seas
continue to improve to 2-3 ft.

&&

.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from noon Sunday to 8 PM EDT Monday for
     AMZ250-252-254-256.

&&

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
544 PM EDT Sat Aug 1 2026

NCZ110-012200-
Coastal Brunswick NC-
544 PM EDT Sat Aug 1 2026

...A WATERSPOUT WILL APPROACH SUNSET BEACH SHORTLY...

At 543 PM EDT, emergency management reported a waterspout
approaching Sunset Beach, moving northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Waterspouts.

SOURCE...Emergency management.

IMPACT...Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally
         hazardous waters.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, and Calabash around 550 PM EDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3388 7857 3389 7859 3393 7851 3393 7850
      3388 7847 3385 7854
TIME...MOT...LOC 2143Z 145DEG 18KT 3386 7850

WATERSPOUT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

TRA

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
559 PM EDT Sat Aug 01 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0527 PM     Waterspout       5 SE Sunset Beach       33.82N  78.46W
08/01/2026                   AMZ252             NC   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency Manager relayed a report of a waterspout
            offshore, also viewed on beach webcam for 12 minutes.

&&

Event Number ILM2600256

ARMSTRONG