Beach Hazards Statement 8, NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC

186 
WHUS42 KMHX 160802
CFWMHX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
402 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026

NCZ195-170000-
/O.EXA.KMHX.BH.S.0008.260416T1200Z-260417T0000Z/
West Carteret-
402 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Bogue Banks beaches.

* WHEN...From 8 AM EDT this morning through this 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.

&&

$$

NCZ196-204-205-170000-
/O.CON.KMHX.BH.S.0008.260416T1200Z-260417T0000Z/
East Carteret-Ocracoke Island-Hatteras Island-
402 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS 
EVENING SOUTH OF CAPE HATTERAS...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...From 8 AM EDT this morning through this 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.

&&

$$

Martin

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

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No changes to previous forecast.

&&

.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.

A weak shortwave moving through on Friday may bring a few
isolated showers to the area. QPF is only a few hundredths at
best with areas surrounding the Albemarle Sound having the best
chance at seeing precipitation (15-25%).

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 is in effect 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"-0.30" 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 50-60kt 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 /22Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Pred VFR conditions expected through the period, with high
pressure offshore and periods of high clouds. Similar to today,
SW winds will gust 15-25 kt Thu afternoon.

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...
This southwesterly flow regime will continue through the week
across all ENC waters. Latest obs show the strongest winds
across the Gulf Stream with the Diamond Shoals buoy continuing
to gust to 25+ kt. Winds will lessen a little overnight as our
thermal gradient weakens but will increase back to 15-20 kt with
gusts to 20-25 kt tomorrow through early Friday. Therefore, a
Small Craft Advisory is now in effect for the coastal waters
between Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout. A few gusts to 25 kt
will be possible across all coastal waters and sounds through
early Friday, but they're expected to be less frequent.

Seas are generally 3-5 ft with the exception of the waters off
of Cape Hatteras where Diamond Shoals has been reporting 5-6
ft. Seas of this magnitude will persist through early Friday.

Outlook: Southwest winds will increase again this weekend ahead
of a cold front. The latest forecast has SW winds reaching
15-20 kt with gusts to 20-25 kt during the first half of Sunday.
As the front passes, winds will veer to the N and increase to
20-25 kt with gusts to 25-30 kt Sunday night/early Monday with
the potential for some Gale force gusts. Seas are expected to
build to 4-6 ft in response, peaking early Monday. Scattered
thunderstorms may occur with the front as well.

&&

.CLIMATE...

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...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ196-
     204-205.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Friday for AMZ154-156.

&&

DISCUSSION...RM/OJC
AVIATION...CQD/RCF
MARINE...RM/OJC

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

NCZ044-079-080-090>092-094-193-194-198-160815-
Pitt-Greene-Beaufort-Duplin-Lenoir-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven-
Southern Craven-Inland Onslow-
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

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

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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.

NCZ205-160815-
Hatteras Island-
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT SOUTH OF CAPE HATTERAS
FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT NORTH OF CAPE HATTERAS FROM 8
AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

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

   Beach Hazards Statement.
   Moderate Rip Current Risk.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ204-160815-
Ocracoke Island-
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

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

   Beach Hazards Statement.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ196-160815-
East Carteret-
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT NORTH OF CAPE LOOKOUT FROM 8 AM
EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT SOUTH OF CAPE LOOKOUT FROM 8
AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

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

   Beach Hazards Statement.
   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 this morning into this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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.

NCZ195-199-160815-
West Carteret-Coastal Onslow-
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

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

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

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 this morning into this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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.

NCZ029-045>047-081-203-160815-
Martin-Washington-Tyrrell-Mainland Dare-Mainland Hyde-
Northern Outer Banks-
405 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
756 PM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

NCZ044-079-080-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-160900-
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
756 PM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER THURSDAY...

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

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.