Gabrielle getting closer to the coast

Gabrielle is a minimal tropical storm with 40mph sustained winds. The system will scrape through the Outer Banks of North Carolina tomorrow afternoon and evening. Below is the text of my tropical discussion from the News 14 Carolina website.

I have the audio feel of the Mississippi State game pulled up here in the weather office. Kickoff is at 7pm.....at the Superdome playing Tulane. Go Dawgs!

Maximum sustained winds were near 40mph with gusts to 50mph. The system was located about 185 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina and was moving to the northwest at close to 8mph.

The center of Gabrielle will move near or over the coast of North Carolina Sunday afternoon and evening. For the North Carolina coast, from the Crystal Coast northward through the Outer Banks....expect winds to gust over 50mph at times by Sunday afternoon and evening, a storm surge of 2-3 feet, and rain totals of 2" - 3" with localized abount to 5" possible.