It looks like the Outer Banks will be dealing with another weekend of breezy conditions, that coupled with higher-than-normal lunar tides, could lead to some minor overwash and coastal flood threat for the east-facing beaches. According to the National Weather Service’s Newport/Morehead City office, northeasterly winds in combination with king tides will result in a…Read More from Another breezy weekend on tap, chance of minor ocean overwash with higher lunar tides

by Sam Walker

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on Thursday with a tropical depression forming in the northeast Gulf of Mexico, while an unrelated weather system combined with higher-than-normal tides could lead to some minor coastal flooding along the Outer Banks this weekend. Tropical Depression 2 could become Tropical Storm Arlene, but is not expected to…Read More from 2023 hurricane season opens with tropical depression; minor coastal flooding along OBX possible this weekend

by Sam Walker

As today marks the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging residents to prepare now and to arm themselves with important knowledge for if and when a storm makes landfall.   According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, experts have forecast 2023 to be an…Read More from State insurance commissioner offers tips on prepping for hurricane season

by WOBX staff

A welcome break from the wind, decreasing chances of rain and warmer temperatures are forecast across the Greater Outer Banks for the second half of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. But it will likely still not be the best conditions to sit on the beach, and definitely too dangerous to take a swim in the…Read More from Decreasing winds, shower chances over rest of holiday weekend across Greater Outer Banks

by Sam Walker

NOAA forecasters with the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predict near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a…Read More from NOAA forecasters predict near-normal hurricane season in 2023

by WOBX staff

Consistent and heavy “April showers” has resulted in a clear drought map for North Carolina on the U.S. Drought Monitor as reported through the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC). Since May 4, 2023, all of North Carolina’s 100 counties were determined to be free from drought or abnormally dry conditions. “This is the first time…Read More from No drought conditions found in North Carolina for first time in over two years

by WOBX staff

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources reminds the public to avoid contact with discolored water as it may indicate the presence of an algal bloom, and to report any potential occurrences of blooms. DWR has already received six reports of potential blooms this spring. Of those, two were confirmed to contain cyanobacteria, a…Read More from State advises to avoid discolored water following reports of early spring algal blooms

by WOBX staff

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will see 11 to 15 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin, according to researchers at North Carolina State University. The Atlantic basin includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The number of named storms predicted is at the higher end of the long-term…Read More from Normal hurricane season for 2023 forecast by N.C. State University researchers

by WOBX staff

Consistent water penetration into the fire area over the last several days has allowed firefighting crews to make significant progress on bringing under control the Last Resort Fire in Tyrrell County. Firefighting personnel reached full containment on Thursday, April 13, according to an update from the North Carolina Forest Servce. The fire reached 5,280 acres…Read More from Wildfire burning west of Outer Banks for last three weeks now fully contained

by Sam Walker

The Town of Duck says Weeks Marine’s dredge has arrived off the Outer Banks, and sand pumping along the beach north of the Army Corps of Engineers Pier is beginning for the nourishment project that was delayed last fall. After delays for shipyard work and rough weather conditions, the Dredge Magdaline was reported to be…Read More from Delayed beach renourishment project along Duck gets underway

by Sam Walker