Morehead City, North Carolina – Residents across eastern North Carolina should prepare for a potentially dangerous round of severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening, with the threat of 70 mph wind gusts, large hail, and possible strong tornadoes developing ahead of an approaching cold front.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, a moderate risk (Level 4 of 5) for severe storms covers parts of inland eastern North Carolina Monday, including areas west of Greenville and Williamston. Surrounding communities such as New Bern, Jacksonville, and the Crystal Coast fall under an enhanced risk, meaning numerous severe storms could develop.
Storms may begin forming during the early to mid-afternoon, potentially developing into supercells ahead of the main storm line. These individual storms could produce tornadoes, damaging winds over 70 mph, and hail around 1 inch in diameter before a larger line of thunderstorms sweeps west to east across the region Monday evening.
Strong winds will also increase ahead of the front. Inland areas could see gusts around 30 to 40 mph by mid-afternoon, while coastal communities including Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke, and the Outer Banks may experience wind gusts approaching 45 to 50 mph between 6 p.m. and midnight. Marine conditions are expected to become hazardous, and minor ocean overwash is possible in vulnerable areas.
A lower-end severe storm threat continues Sunday afternoon and evening, with isolated storms capable of producing gusty winds, small hail, or a brief tornado while cleanup continues from the recent March 12 severe weather event.
Residents should review tornado safety plans now, charge devices, and ensure multiple methods to receive weather warnings. Additional watches and alerts are likely as Monday’s severe weather threat approaches eastern North Carolina.
