Arthur to impact the NC coast tonight...

After a very hot and extremely humid day yesterday, we are seeing a cold front move into the region today and give us the chance of some showers and storms at times. Highs today should top out in the mid to upper 80s to lower 90s.

Much drier air plunges in here starting tonight behind the cold front and Hurricane Arthur, and the result will be some spectacular holiday weekend weather. 


ARTHUR

Arthur became a hurricane this morning and is churning off the South Carolina coast. Winds will be over tropical storm force at times along the South Carolina coast today, and then the winds will really ramp up along the southern NC coast later this afternoon and evening. 

The center of Arthur will track near or likely over the Outer Banks tonight. For most of the coast, you can expect winds through the night to at least gust over hurricane force and many areas will likely see sustained hurricane force winds for a period of time.

I expect some significant flooding problems for some areas of Highway 12 in the Outer Banks. Driving southeast winds will increase through the day and into the evening, then as Arthur pulls away tomorrow morning, winds will become out of the northwest and west. So, both Atlantic and sound side flooding is likely for the Outer Banks. And I fully expect some sound flooding in some mainland areas as well. 

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Arthur to approach the Carolina coast...

It's a hot Wednesday forecast around the region with many highs surging up into the mid 90s. When you factor in the humidity, heat index values will exceed 100 in many spots this afternoon.

Scattered storms will fire this afternoon, and while they will indeed be scattered in nature, the storms that form could produce damaging wind, some hail, and lots of lightning.

Tomorrow still looks unsettled with good chances of showers and storms at times as Arthur nears the coast and a cold front moves in from the west.

Following the front and Arthur, fantastic holiday weekend weather is on tap with highs in the 80s, low humidity, and plenty of sun. 


TROPICS

Tropical Storm Arthur continued to slowly strengthen overnight, and it stands a great chance of becoming a hurricane today or tonight. The strongest winds (probable tropical storm gusts) along the South Carolina coast will occur tomorrow afternoon. 

It still appears Arthur will track very near or over the Outer Banks tomorrow night into early Friday morning. Tomorrow night will feature the roughest weather for the NC coast and Outer Banks. 

Look for winds to hurricane strength at least in gusts for the Outer Banks, and sustained winds could very well make it to hurricane strength. Flooding along Highway 12 is likely, and roads and bridges could be closed as necessary. Please plan accordingly. 

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Tropical Depression One has formed...

Please see today's video, docked below, for all of the graphics to go along with this video.

Highs today will head into the low to mid 90s across the area. When you factor in the humidity, heat index values this afternoon will likely be between 96 and 99 degrees for many. A few isolated storms will likely fire, but they will be few and far between.

The storm chances increase a bit tomorrow with highs nearing the mid 90s, and then Thursday is looking unsettled with good shower and storm chances as an incoming front combines with our tropical system just offshore. 

Behind all of that, our weather then looks great for the holiday weekend.

TROPICSTropical Depression One is located a little under 100 miles off of the Florida coast this morning and will make a turn to the north and then northeast over the next few days. The system should become a tropical storm today, and it might become a hurricane prior to reaching near the Outer Banks Thursday night. 

The worst period of weather along the NC coast, especially the Outer Banks, will be late Thursday through Friday morning. Look for rainy, squally weather during that time period, but then conditions will be much improved from Friday afternoon through the rest of the holiday weekend. 

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Watching the tropics....

Highs today will head into the upper 80s in many spots under a partly sunny sky. A few afternoon storms will also develop and then fade away this evening. 

Tomorrow looks pretty hot and mainly dry. Highs will head into the lower 90s for most. 

Storm chances ramp up Wednesday and Thursday as a cold front approaches and we begin to see some impacts in the region from a potential tropical low.

TROPICSAn area of low pressure is currently located off of the Florida coast. It will meander around for a day or two and then begin to lift northeast, likely tracking somewhere near the Carolina coast Wednesday into Friday. 

This could very well become our first classified tropical system of the Atlantic tropical season. If you have beach plans this week, I wouldn't change them at this point. Just stay tuned for updates. 

See the video for much, much more....

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