Morehead City, NC – Swimmers and beachgoers across Eastern North Carolina face a significant threat from dangerous rip currents that will persist through Wednesday evening. The powerful currents can sweep even the strongest swimmers away from the shore, creating life-threatening conditions along the Shackleford Banks and Bogue Banks beaches.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, the highest risk for these currents will occur a couple of hours on either side of low tide, which is around 7:38 a.m. Wednesday. Officials advise remaining out of the water. If caught in a rip current, do not fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you escape the current’s pull and then swim back to land.
Beyond the immediate coastal hazards, a shift in the weather pattern will bring a new set of risks. A cold front is expected to trigger an isolated chance of strong to severe thunderstorms across the region on Thursday afternoon and evening. These storms will be followed by a surge in heat and humidity.
Heat indices are projected to climb between 100 and 105 degrees on Thursday and could reach up to 110 degrees by early next week. Residents should take precautions against heat-related illness. Plan to stay in air-conditioned spaces, drink plenty of water, and check on vulnerable neighbors and relatives. The combination of intense heat and potential storms will define the weather for the upcoming Juneteenth holiday and the weekend ahead.
Here is the five-day forecast for Morehead City:
- Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 91.
- Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
- Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
- Sunday: A chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
