Currituck County Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast
Rip current risk today: Moderate. Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Surf 2 to 3 feet, water upper 70s. Buoy 44056, 14 mi out, measured 79 °F water and 3.0 ft waves. Sunset 7:03 PM.
- Rip current risk
- ModerateToday
- Surf
- 2 to 3 feetForecast
- Water
- Upper 70sForecast
- Sunset
- 7:03 PMEDT
Rip current risk on the map
Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Currituck County Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.
Open the live map with rip current risk
Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
Alerts in force
No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Currituck County Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.
Today and tomorrow
From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 903 PM EDT, 9/20/2026.
Today Monday
Moderate rip current risk
- Rip current risk
- Moderate
- Surf
- 2 to 3 feet
- Water temperature
- Upper 70s
- UV index
- High
- High temperature
- In the lower 80s
- Weather
- Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
- Wind
- West winds around 5 mph, becoming east in the afternoon
UV index 6 to 7. Sunburn protection is needed; reduce time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tomorrow Tuesday
High rip current risk
- Rip current risk
- High
- Surf
- 3 to 4 feet
- High temperature
- Around 80
- Weather
- Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
- Wind
- East winds around 10 mph
The surf zone forecast, period by period
Outer Banks Currituck. Issued 9:03 PM EDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Wakefield.
Moderate rip current risk in effect from 8 am edt monday through monday evening
Monday
- Rip Current Risk
- Moderate
- Surf Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- UV Index
- High
- Water Temperature
- Upper 70s
- Weather
- Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
- High Temperature
- In the lower 80s
- Winds
- West winds around 5 mph, becoming east in the afternoon
- Tides, Duck
- Low at 09:45 AM EDT. High at 04:24 PM EDT
- Remarks
- None
Tuesday
- Rip Current Risk
- High
- Surf Height
- 3 to 4 feet
- Weather
- Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
- High Temperature
- Around 80
- Winds
- East winds around 10 mph
- Tides, Duck
- Low at 10:39 AM EDT. High at 05:11 PM EDT
- Remarks
- None
The days after
Wednesday. Surf height 5 to 9 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Thursday. Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph.
Friday. Surf height 7 to 11 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. North winds around 30 mph.
Remarks for extended. Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially a Moderate to High Rip Risk.
The office's notes on this forecast
Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.
** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.
The product as issued
FZUS51 KAKQ 210103
SRFAKQ
Surf Zone Forecast for Virginia
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
903 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
MDZ025-211515-
Maryland Beaches-
Including the beaches of Ocean City Beaches and Assateague
903 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT MONDAY THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...
.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate.
Surf Height.................3 feet.
UV Index**..................Moderate.
Water Temperature...........Mid 70s.
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy.
High Temperature............In the mid 70s.
Winds.......................Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tides...
Ocean City Fishing Pier..Low at 09:53 AM EDT.
High at 04:33 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High.
Surf Height.................4 to 6 feet.
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a
slight chance of thunderstorms.
High Temperature............In the lower 70s.
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds 20 to 25 mph.
Tides...
Ocean City Fishing Pier..Low at 10:48 AM EDT.
High at 05:21 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.EXTENDED...
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 6 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. A chance of
showers. Highs around 70. Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph.
.THURSDAY...Surf height 6 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. A chance of
showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Windy. Northeast winds around
30 mph.
.FRIDAY...Surf height 5 to 9 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of showers.
Highs in the upper 60s. Windy. North winds around 30 mph.
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.
&&
Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.
** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.
$$
VAZ099-100-211515-
Accomack-Northampton-
Including the beaches of Chincoteague, Wallops Island,
and Barrier Islands Between Cape Charles and Parramore
903 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT MONDAY THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...
.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate.
Surf Height.................3 feet.
UV Index**..................Moderate.
Water Temperature...........Mid 70s.
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy.
High Temperature............In the mid 70s.
Winds.......................North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tides...
Wachapreague.............Low at 10:36 AM EDT.
High at 05:22 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High.
Surf Height.................4 to 5 feet.
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and
a slight chance of thunderstorms.
High Temperature............In the mid 70s.
Winds.......................Breezy. East winds 20 to 25 mph.
Tides...
Wachapreague.............Low at 11:35 AM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.EXTENDED...
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 6 to 9 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely.
Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. Northeast winds around 35 mph.
.THURSDAY...Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. A chance of
showers. Highs around 70. Windy. Northeast winds around 35 mph.
.FRIDAY...Surf height 7 to 10 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of
showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Windy. North winds around 35 mph.
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.
&&
Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.
** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.
$$
VAZ098-211515-
Virginia Beach-
Including the beaches of Virginia Beach and Sandbridge
903 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT MONDAY THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...
.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate.
Surf Height.................3 feet.
UV Index**..................High.
Water Temperature...........Upper 70s.
Weather.....................Partly sunny. A slight chance of
showers and thunderstorms.
High Temperature............In the lower 80s.
Winds.......................West winds around 5 mph, becoming
northeast in the afternoon.
Tides...
Virginia Beach...........Low at 10:01 AM EDT.
High at 04:39 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High.
Surf Height.................3 to 4 feet.
Weather.....................Partly sunny. Showers likely and a
chance of thunderstorms.
High Temperature............In the upper 70s.
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.
Tides...
Virginia Beach...........Low at 10:55 AM EDT.
High at 05:26 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.EXTENDED...
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 6 to 9 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Breezy.
Northeast winds around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY...Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Windy.
Northeast winds around 30 mph.
.FRIDAY...Surf height 7 to 10 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of
showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. North winds around 30 mph.
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.
&&
Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.
** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.
$$
NCZ102-211515-
Outer Banks Currituck-
Including the beaches of Currituck County Beaches
903 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT MONDAY THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...
.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate.
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet.
UV Index**..................High.
Water Temperature...........Upper 70s.
Weather.....................Partly sunny. A slight chance of
showers and thunderstorms.
High Temperature............In the lower 80s.
Winds.......................West winds around 5 mph, becoming east
in the afternoon.
Tides...
Duck.....................Low at 09:45 AM EDT.
High at 04:24 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High.
Surf Height.................3 to 4 feet.
Weather.....................Partly sunny. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
High Temperature............Around 80.
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.
Tides...
Duck.....................Low at 10:39 AM EDT.
High at 05:11 PM EDT.
Remarks.....................None.
.EXTENDED...
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 5 to 9 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Breezy.
Northeast winds around 25 mph.
.THURSDAY...Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Windy. Northeast
winds around 30 mph.
.FRIDAY...Surf height 7 to 11 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of
showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. North winds around 30 mph.
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.
&&
Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.
** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.
$$The water now, measured
Buoy 44056, Duck FRF, NC, 14 mi away, reported 11:00 PM.
- Waves
- 3.0 ft at 7 seconds from the ENE
- Water temperature
- 79 °F
- Air temperature
- 78 °F
From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.
Tides today
Duck, 15 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.
- High tide2:52 AM2.7 ft
- Low tide8:46 AM1.3 ft
- High tide3:28 PM3.4 ft
- Low tide10:00 PM1.2 ft
Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Duck.
Sun and daylight
- Sunrise today
- 6:50 AM
- Sunset today
- 7:03 PM
- Sunrise tomorrow
- 6:50 AM
- Sunset tomorrow
- 7:01 PM
Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.
Beaches in this forecast
- Currituck County Beaches
As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.
What this means
The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.
| High | Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water. |
|---|---|
| Moderate | Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags. |
| Low | Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard. |
If a rip current carries you out
- Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
- Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
- Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
- If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
- If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.
Thunderstorms and lightning
Today's forecast mentions thunderstorms: Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.
A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.
Nearby
The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.
More for this place
Sources
Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office AKQ, issued 903 PM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone NCZ102.