Morehead City, N.C. – Beachgoers along North Carolina’s Outer Banks should be cautious today, as a Moderate Rip Current Risk is in effect for areas north of Cape Hatteras, even as inland regions climb back into the 80s.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, conditions will remain warm and dry throughout Monday, with inland temperatures peaking between 82°F and 86°F from Greenville to New Bern and Fayetteville. Meanwhile, coastal communities such as Morehead City and Ocracoke will see highs in the 70s. The main concern is along the surf zone, especially from Duck to Kill Devil Hills, where rip currents could pose a danger to swimmers.
The Weather Service advises anyone entering the ocean to swim near lifeguards and avoid inlets or jetties where rip currents are strongest. While the skies stay mostly sunny, the combination of heat inland and water hazards along the coast creates a twofold safety concern.
Today marks the warmest stretch so far this April in eastern North Carolina, and rip current risks may persist through the early part of the week depending on surf and wind conditions.
More updates will follow if rip current threats increase or a heat advisory is issued.
