Cape Hatteras, North Carolina – Boaters along the Atlantic coast have a narrow window to get off the water before gale-force winds take over from the Outer Banks south to Georgia, with rough seas and dangerous conditions building fast late Monday.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Newport/Morehead City, Charleston and Jacksonville, a Gale Warning begins at 5 p.m. Monday for coastal waters from Oregon Inlet to Surf City, with north winds increasing to 20 to 30 knots and gusts up to 35 knots after a cold front moves offshore. Seas off the North Carolina coast will build to 6 to 9 feet, while Pamlico Sound turns very rough through early Tuesday.
The strongest early impacts center on the Outer Banks, Ocracoke Inlet and Cape Hatteras waters, where a Small Craft Advisory remains in place until 5 p.m. before gale conditions arrive. Farther south, gale warnings expand Monday night off South Carolina from South Santee River to Savannah, then spread into Georgia waters from Savannah to Altamaha Sound and down toward Fernandina Beach by early Tuesday. Seas there are expected to rise to 6 to 11 feet.
These conditions can capsize smaller vessels, damage equipment and sharply reduce visibility in spray and showers. Mariners are urged to remain in port, delay departures and secure vessels before winds turn north and strengthen.
The rough marine pattern will last into Tuesday and, in some Georgia waters, into Wednesday afternoon. More advisories are likely as the surge moves down the coast.
