Beach Hazards Statement 7, NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC

911 
WHUS42 KMHX 160023
CFWMHX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
823 PM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

NCZ196-204-205-161230-
/O.EXP.KMHX.BH.S.0007.000000T0000Z-260416T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMHX.BH.S.0008.260416T1200Z-260417T0000Z/
East Carteret-Ocracoke Island-Hatteras Island-
823 PM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THURSDAY
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...The beaches from Cape Hatteras to Cape Lookout.

* WHEN...From 8 AM EDT Thursday through Thursday evening.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time for strong rip
  currents to occur is a couple hours either side of low tide,
  which will occur around 1:00 PM Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain
calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
211 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes made.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Above to well above normal temperatures will prevail through
the entire week with the potential for record breaking
temperatures each day through Saturday.

2) Drought conditions and elevated fire concerns persist through
the end of the week, with the next meaningful chance of rain
not until Sunday

3) Cold front to bring a chance of scattered showers and
thunderstorms Sunday, followed by much cooler conditions early
next week

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Above normal to near record temperatures
continue to be favored into this weekend thanks to a warm
southwesterly low- level flow beneath notably strong ridging
aloft. This should equate to highs in the upper 80s to near 90
each day inland, with 70s to low 80s along the coast.
Temperatures each day may be moderated some by convective debris
clouds, but the only real impact here is that it may lower the
risk of records being tied or broken at any one location. For
perspective, normal highs for mid-April are in the low to mid
70s inland, and upper 60s to low 70s along the coast. We won't
be anywhere near those normal values as this stretch of
anomalous warmth continues to drag on. Please see the CLIMATE
section below for additional information.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Drought conditions continue to plague the
entire Southeast U.S., with rainfall amounts since March 1
running about 10- 50% of normal. Locally here in ENC, this
equates to rainfall totals running about 2-4" below normal over
that same time period. Almost all of ENC remains in Severe
Drought (D2), with a small part of Martin County in Extreme
Drought (D3). To give a little more perspective, most climate
sites in the Southeast U.S., including here in ENC, haven't seen
measurable precipitation in almost 10 days during what would
normally be a wetter time of year. Unusually warm conditions and
persistent ridging aloft will only act to exacerbate drought
conditions, with meaningful rainfall unlikely through the end of
the week. Looking further out in time, longer-range guidance
suggests this dry pattern may last at least another 1-2 weeks,
with a pattern change possible by late April or early May.

Given the ongoing drought, fire weather will continue to be a
concern until a more substantial rain event occurs. An Increased
Fire Danger statement has been issued for today, and additional
statements or fire weather headlines may be needed through the
week and into the weekend. Of note, increasing winds ahead of,
and behind, this weekend's cold front could be problematic,
especially for any fire starts. A statewide burn bans remains in
effect for all of North Carolina, with additional fire
restrictions beginning today on all four national forests in NC.
Please see statements from the Forest Service for additional
information.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Over the upcoming weekend, the persistent
ridging of late is forecast to briefly break down long enough to
allow a cold front to move through the Carolinas. There may be
just enough low- level moisture advection ahead of the front to
support a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. While
guidance remains consistent in this potential, rainfall amounts
do not look overly impressive or "drought-denting" in any way.
The latest ensemble guidance suggests about 0.10"-0.20" of rain.
While instability currently looks modest, at best, any
thunderstorms that develop could produce higher amounts, but
this would be over smaller areas. While instability is currently
forecast to be modest, deep layer shear of 30-40kt would be
supportive of organized convection. Machine learning guidance
shows a fairly weak signal for severe thunderstorm potential,
but we'll continue to monitor this risk as the weekend draws
closer.

Behind the cold front, a substantially cooler airmass will move
into the region, with local highs dropping back down closer to
what is normal for this time of year. This means highs in the
60s and 70s, with lows dropping back down into the 40s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Primarily a persistence forecast for aviation interests this
morning as pattern remains static from yesterday. High pressure
offshore anchored offshore will continue to encourage
southwesterly winds during the overnight hours, which will
discourage any widespread fog formation. Like the past few
evenings, localized areas of decoupling could see some shallow
and brief visibility restrictions most likely between 10-12z.

Winds will primarily be out of the SW with gusts around 15-20
kt beginning mid to late morning as deeper mixing ensues. An
active sea breeze bringing a shift to Sly winds as it pushes
inland through the afternoon and early evening hours, with a
brief window of enhanced gusts near 20 kt immediately behind the
boundary.

Outlook: Pred VFR conditions expected through the period with a
more summertime pattern persisting through the week. Stronger
winds likely in the coming days with tightening thermal
gradient, most likely felt in the afternoons and evenings. An
approaching front on Sunday will likely bring the strongest
winds of the period and renewed shower and thunderstorm chances.

&&

.MARINE...
The southwesterly flow regime of late is expected to continue
for several more days across all ENC waters. Within this regime,
wind gusts will occasionally bump up against 25kt (as was
observed at several marine observation sites yesterday afternoon
and evening). The thermal gradient looks to be a bit stronger
today and Thursday, with a bit more frequency to the occurrence
of 25kt gusts. This may necessitate a short-fused Small Craft
Advisory for a portion of our waters, especially on Thursday.

For the coastal waters, seas of 3-5 ft will be common,
especially within the persistent and slightly stronger
southwest flow pattern.

Outlook: South to southwest winds are expected to build over
the weekend, especially on Sunday, as a cold front approaches
from the west. A period of 25-30kt winds appears likely both
ahead of, and behind, the cold front. There continues to be at
least a modest signal for gale-force gusts with this front as
well. Seas are forecast to peak in the 6-9 ft range with this
front. Scattered thunderstorms may accompany the front as well.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Record High temps for 4/15 (Wednesday)

LOCATION       TEMP/YEAR
New Bern        94/1972   (KEWN ASOS)
Cape Hatteras   84/1922   (KHSE ASOS)
Greenville      96/1922   (COOP - Not KPGV AWOS)
Morehead City   80/1964   (COOP - Not KMRH ASOS)
Kinston         92/1941   (COOP - Not KISO AWOS)
Jacksonville    93/2006   (NCA ASOS)

Record High temps for 4/16 (Thursday)

LOCATION       TEMP/YEAR
New Bern        92/1972   (KEWN ASOS)
Cape Hatteras   78/1994   (KHSE ASOS)
Greenville      92/1972   (COOP - Not KPGV AWOS)
Morehead City   82/2006   (COOP - Not KMRH ASOS)
Kinston         92/2006   (COOP - Not KISO AWOS)
Jacksonville    91/1972   (NCA ASOS)

Record High temps for 4/17 (Friday)

LOCATION       TEMP/YEAR
New Bern        91/1976   (KEWN ASOS)
Cape Hatteras   83/2012   (KHSE ASOS)
Greenville      92/1972   (COOP - Not KPGV AWOS)
Morehead City   82/1976   (COOP - Not KMRH ASOS)
Kinston         91/1972   (COOP - Not KISO AWOS)
Jacksonville    91/2006   (NCA ASOS)

Record High temps for 4/18 (Saturday)

LOCATION       TEMP/YEAR
New Bern        90/2002   (KEWN ASOS)
Cape Hatteras   82/1995   (KHSE ASOS)
Greenville      93/2002   (COOP - Not KPGV AWOS)
Morehead City   85/1976   (COOP - Not KMRH ASOS)
Kinston         92/2002   (COOP - Not KISO AWOS)
Jacksonville    92/1976   (NCA ASOS)

Record High temps for 4/19 (Sunday)

LOCATION       TEMP/YEAR
New Bern        91/1985   (KEWN ASOS)
Cape Hatteras   81/1985   (KHSE ASOS)
Greenville      92/1985   (COOP - Not KPGV AWOS)
Morehead City   82/1976   (COOP - Not KMRH ASOS)
Kinston         96/1917   (COOP - Not KISO AWOS)
Jacksonville    91/1985   (NCA ASOS)

&&

.MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...RM
AVIATION...MS
MARINE...RM

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
830 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

NCZ204-205-160030-
Ocracoke Island-Hatteras Island-
830 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Rip Current Risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ029-045>047-081-203-160030-
Martin-Washington-Tyrrell-Mainland Dare-Mainland Hyde-
Northern Outer Banks-
830 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ044-079-080-090>092-094-193>195-198-160030-
Pitt-Greene-Beaufort-Duplin-Lenoir-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven-
Southern Craven-West Carteret-Inland Onslow-
830 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

There is an increased fire danger statement out given the combination
of very dry fuels, warm temperatures, reduced humidity, and gusty
winds late Wednesday morning into Wednesday evening.

There is another chance at an increased fire danger statement for the
same area once again late Thursday morning into Thursday evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ196-199-160030-
East Carteret-Coastal Onslow-
830 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Rip Current Risk.

There is an increased fire danger statement out given the combination
of very dry fuels, warm temperatures, reduced humidity, and gusty
winds late Wednesday morning into Wednesday evening.

There is another chance at an increased fire danger statement for the
same area once again late Thursday morning into Thursday evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
315 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

NCZ044-079-080-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-160000-
Pitt-Greene-Beaufort-Duplin-Lenoir-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven-
Southern Craven-West Carteret-East Carteret-Inland Onslow-
Coastal Onslow-
Including the cities of Greenville, Bethel, Farmville, Grifton,
Grimesland, Snow Hill, Hookerton, Walstonburg, Washington,
Chocowinity, Belhaven, Bath, Aurora, Wallace, Warsaw,
Kenansville, Beulaville, Faison, Kinston, La Grange, Pink Hill,
Maysville, Pollocksville, Trenton, Oriental, Bayboro, Arapahoe,
Vandemere, Vanceboro, Ernul, Dover, Cove City, New Bern,
River Bend, Fairfield Harbor, Havelock, Morehead City, Newport,
Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, Stella, Beaufort, Harkers Island,
Sea Level, Cedar Island, Jacksonville, Richlands, Half Moon,
Swansboro, Sneads Ferry, and North Topsail Beach
315 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER 1100 AM THROUGH 800 PM WEDNESDAY...

The combination of extremely dry fuels, very warm temperatures, gusty
southwest winds, and reduced relative humidity will lead to an
increased risk of wildfires today.

Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily
ignite and spread fire quickly.

A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service
is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal.