The storm system arriving now on the Outer Banks will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the area Sunday and Sunday night, the National Weather Service out of Newport is forecasting.
A High Wind Warning has been issued for the Outer Banks and Eastern Carteret County and a high surf advisory from Duck to Surf City.
Ocracoke could get about two inches of rain.
Temperatures will be high enough so that there will be no snow on the Outer Banks, but those traveling should be cautious since the high waves will be cause over wash on portions of NC 12.
In the winter weather advisory area (mainly areas along and west of Hwy 17 on the mainland) may get a brief period of a wintry mix (freezing rain, sleet, light snow) early Sunday that could be hazardous to travel before transitioning to rain, which may be heavy at times, by late Sunday morning through the afternoon.
Ferry service was running Sunday morning, but the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferries were suspended around 11 a.m. as winds increase. Gusts on Ocracoke could reach 55 mph.
For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.
