Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Nags Head, NC
April 18, 2024 7:46 PM EDT (23:46 UTC) Change Location
 | Sunrise 6:25 AM Sunset 7:43 PM Moonrise 1:55 PM Moonset 3:05 AM |
AMZ231 Croatan And Roanoke Sounds- 700 Pm Edt Thu Apr 18 2024
Tonight - NE winds around 10 kt. Waves light chop.
Fri - NE winds around 10 kt. Waves light chop.
Fri night - E winds 5 to 10 kt. Waves light chop. A slight chance of tstms. A slight chance of showers in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight.
Sat - N winds 5 to 10 kt, increasing to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Waves light chop, increasing to a moderate chop in the afternoon. A chance of showers with a slight chance of tstms.
Sat night - NE winds 5 to 10 kt, increasing to 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Waves light chop, increasing to a moderate chop after midnight. A chance of showers with a slight chance of tstms in the evening, then a slight chance of showers after midnight.
Sun - NE winds 10 to 15 kt. Waves a moderate chop. A chance of showers.
Sun night - NE winds 15 to 20 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt after midnight. Waves choppy. Showers likely.
Mon - NE winds 15 to 20 kt, diminishing to 10 to 15 kt. Waves choppy, diminishing to a moderate chop. Showers likely, mainly in the morning.
Tue - NE winds around 10 kt, becoming se in the evening, then becoming sw after midnight. Waves light chop.
winds and waves higher in and near tstms.
winds and waves higher in and near tstms.
AMZ200 658 Pm Edt Thu Apr 18 2024
Synopsis for coastal waters from surf city north carolina to south santee river south carolina out to 20 nautical miles - A cold front will drop into the area Friday and stall for the weekend. High pressure will build into the area next week.
Area Discussion for - Newport/Morehead City, NC
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FXUS62 KMHX 182300 AFDMHX
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 700 PM EDT Thu Apr 18 2024
SYNOPSIS
Backdoor cold front tracks across the area tonight eventually stalling and dissipating just to the south this evening. More unsettled weather is possible for the weekend into early next week as a cold front tracks across the region Friday night with a low pressure system and its associated fronts then impacting the Carolinas on Saturday night into early next week before high pressure ridge builds in from the west on Tuesday.
NEAR TERM /Through Tonight/
As of 7 PM Thu...No big changes with eve update.
Prev disc
As of 320 PM Thu
Overall the flavor of the forecast hasn't changed much over the last several hours.
Backdoor cold front denoted by a wind shift with westerly winds out ahead of the front and north to northeasterly winds behind the front will continue to track southwestwards this afternoon and evening. Out ahead and along the front some diurnal cumulus has developed but should dissipate after sunset wit the loss of heating. Of bigger consequence is the marine stratus which is currently well offshore but has begin to track southwestwards towards eastern North Carolina this afternoon, though it shouldn't get to the area until; after sunset regardless given the latest information.
Aforementioned front will continue to push through ENC this evening eventually stalling and dissipating tonight just to the south in South Carolina. Behind the front low level stratus will quickly invade the area from northeast to southwest tonight as moist onshore flow becomes trapped beneath a frontal inversion.
This is forecast to allow for low cloud cover to overspread the NOBX early tonight and then spread southwestwards towards the Crystal Coast late this evening. Did continue to trend of knocking down temps another degree or two tonight with much of the aera getting into the mid to upper 50s, though where the front has moved through already across the NOBX temps are now forecast to get into the upper 40s.
SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/
As of 320 PM Thu... Upper ridging briefly overspreads the Eastern Seaboard Friday morning before pushing off the coast Fri afternoon out ahead of an approaching mid level shortwave.
Associated cold front will be tracking E'wards across western and central NC through the day on Friday with the front pushing into the Coastal Plain by Friday evening. This front is forecast to bring widely scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms. Still thinking there will only be general thunder as this activity finally gets into the western Coastal Plain late Friday afternoon at a point where instability will be waning and shear will just begin increasing so thinking there is a low threat for strong to severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon. Highs get into the low to mid 80s across the Coastal Plain and into the 60s along the OBX.
LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/
As of 320 PM Thursday...An active pattern continues into early next week with multiple frontal passages impacting the area.
Friday night...No real changes for the forecast for Fri night. Cold front will push through the region Fri night continuing to bring a threat for shower and thunderstorm activity through tonight. Still not expecting anything more than general thunder for Fri night though trends will have to be monitored as there is a non-zero threat for a stronger storm to develop as the front moves through. Lows get into the mid 50s to low 60s across the area.
Saturday through midweek...Broad cyclonic flow prevails over the Eastern CONUS over the weekend and into early next week. A weakening cold front will drop into the area Saturday and stall just off the coast Saturday night. The sea breeze is expected to become dominant pushing inland Saturday afternoon allowing more heating/destabilization to occur across southern sections of ENC which, combined with around 40 kt of shear, could allow for a risk of thunderstorm development, which some could become strong to marginally severe.
Additional shortwave energy moving through the flow aloft will bring better forcing across the area Sunday and Sunday night with widespread rain developing across the region. Sfc low pressure will develop along the offshore front and pass off the OBX Sunday night and push the cold front farther offshore on Monday. High pressure builds into the area Tuesday but will quickly move offshore by Wednesday with additional shortwave energy and sfc cold front sliding across the area bringing the chance for a few showers.
Highs Saturday will be around 75-80 north of highway 70 and low 80s to the south but mid 60s to mid 70s along the coast.
A cooler airmass builds in behind the front which, along with clouds and showers, will keep temps several degrees below normal with highs in the 60s Sunday and Monday. Temps will warm to near normal for mid week with highs in the 70s.
AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
SHORT TERM /through Fri/...
As of 7 PM Thu... VFR conditions remain over ENC. The front will be nearing our southern zones by tonight before stalling out with a frontal inversion setting up behind the front. This inversion will trap whatever moisture we have in the lower levels allowing for low stratus to eventually develop generally after the 03-06Z timeframe first impacting the NOBX and eventually making its way SW'wards across the FA after 06Z.
There is still some uncertainty with how far this low stratus deck makes it, but with the most recent guidance it looks to make it as far SW as EWN so have included an IFR ceiling deck from here to points NE'ward in the TAF's. Across the rest of the terminals ISO/PGV/OAJ there remains too much uncertainty for lower ceilings so have just kept a SCT MVFR deck in these other locations though adjustments may need to be made in coming updates. Otherwise marine stratus eventually lifts by mid morning allowing VFR conditions to return across all of ENC.
Winds generally remain light through the entire period.
LONG TERM /Friday evening through Tuesday/...
As of 530 AM Thursday...Pred VFR expected through Saturday although there will be an opportunity for brief periods of sub- VFR in isolated showers or storms late in the day as mid level shortwaves and attendant cold front moves into the area. Low pressure passes along the offshore front Sunday through Sunday night bringing the best chance of widespread rain and sub-VFR conditions across rtes. Improving conditions are expected on Monday.
MARINE
SHORT TERM /Through Friday/...
As of 320 PM Thu...Backdoor cold front currently noted from Hatteras Island NW'ward into the western Albemarle Sound and will continue to gradually cross area waters from northeast to south ushering in another surge of 10-20 kt northeasterly flow tonight with a few gusts to 20+ kt likely. This front will eventually stall and dissipate to our south allowing winds to ease slightly down to 10-15 kts on Fri while becoming E-NE. Seas will remain around 3-5 ft along our coastal waters.
LONG TERM /Friday night through Tuesday/...
As of 530 AM Thursday...An active pattern will prevail in the long term with a series of mid level systems and weakening cold fronts move into the waters but conditions are expected to remain below SCA criteria until late in the weekend. Variable winds around 10 kt or less Friday night becomes Nly around 10-15 kt on Saturday as another cold front drops into the area and stalls offshore. Low pressure will develop along the front Sunday and pass off the OBX Sunday night into Monday with NE winds around 15-25 kt. Seas will generally be 2-4 ft, occasionally getting to 5 ft across the outer waters through Saturday but will build to 3 to 6 ft Sunday and peak Monday around 4-7 ft across the northern and southern waters and 6-10 ft across the central waters.
MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
NC...None.
MARINE...None.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 700 PM EDT Thu Apr 18 2024
SYNOPSIS
Backdoor cold front tracks across the area tonight eventually stalling and dissipating just to the south this evening. More unsettled weather is possible for the weekend into early next week as a cold front tracks across the region Friday night with a low pressure system and its associated fronts then impacting the Carolinas on Saturday night into early next week before high pressure ridge builds in from the west on Tuesday.
NEAR TERM /Through Tonight/
As of 7 PM Thu...No big changes with eve update.
Prev disc
As of 320 PM Thu
Overall the flavor of the forecast hasn't changed much over the last several hours.
Backdoor cold front denoted by a wind shift with westerly winds out ahead of the front and north to northeasterly winds behind the front will continue to track southwestwards this afternoon and evening. Out ahead and along the front some diurnal cumulus has developed but should dissipate after sunset wit the loss of heating. Of bigger consequence is the marine stratus which is currently well offshore but has begin to track southwestwards towards eastern North Carolina this afternoon, though it shouldn't get to the area until; after sunset regardless given the latest information.
Aforementioned front will continue to push through ENC this evening eventually stalling and dissipating tonight just to the south in South Carolina. Behind the front low level stratus will quickly invade the area from northeast to southwest tonight as moist onshore flow becomes trapped beneath a frontal inversion.
This is forecast to allow for low cloud cover to overspread the NOBX early tonight and then spread southwestwards towards the Crystal Coast late this evening. Did continue to trend of knocking down temps another degree or two tonight with much of the aera getting into the mid to upper 50s, though where the front has moved through already across the NOBX temps are now forecast to get into the upper 40s.
SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/
As of 320 PM Thu... Upper ridging briefly overspreads the Eastern Seaboard Friday morning before pushing off the coast Fri afternoon out ahead of an approaching mid level shortwave.
Associated cold front will be tracking E'wards across western and central NC through the day on Friday with the front pushing into the Coastal Plain by Friday evening. This front is forecast to bring widely scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms. Still thinking there will only be general thunder as this activity finally gets into the western Coastal Plain late Friday afternoon at a point where instability will be waning and shear will just begin increasing so thinking there is a low threat for strong to severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon. Highs get into the low to mid 80s across the Coastal Plain and into the 60s along the OBX.
LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/
As of 320 PM Thursday...An active pattern continues into early next week with multiple frontal passages impacting the area.
Friday night...No real changes for the forecast for Fri night. Cold front will push through the region Fri night continuing to bring a threat for shower and thunderstorm activity through tonight. Still not expecting anything more than general thunder for Fri night though trends will have to be monitored as there is a non-zero threat for a stronger storm to develop as the front moves through. Lows get into the mid 50s to low 60s across the area.
Saturday through midweek...Broad cyclonic flow prevails over the Eastern CONUS over the weekend and into early next week. A weakening cold front will drop into the area Saturday and stall just off the coast Saturday night. The sea breeze is expected to become dominant pushing inland Saturday afternoon allowing more heating/destabilization to occur across southern sections of ENC which, combined with around 40 kt of shear, could allow for a risk of thunderstorm development, which some could become strong to marginally severe.
Additional shortwave energy moving through the flow aloft will bring better forcing across the area Sunday and Sunday night with widespread rain developing across the region. Sfc low pressure will develop along the offshore front and pass off the OBX Sunday night and push the cold front farther offshore on Monday. High pressure builds into the area Tuesday but will quickly move offshore by Wednesday with additional shortwave energy and sfc cold front sliding across the area bringing the chance for a few showers.
Highs Saturday will be around 75-80 north of highway 70 and low 80s to the south but mid 60s to mid 70s along the coast.
A cooler airmass builds in behind the front which, along with clouds and showers, will keep temps several degrees below normal with highs in the 60s Sunday and Monday. Temps will warm to near normal for mid week with highs in the 70s.
AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
SHORT TERM /through Fri/...
As of 7 PM Thu... VFR conditions remain over ENC. The front will be nearing our southern zones by tonight before stalling out with a frontal inversion setting up behind the front. This inversion will trap whatever moisture we have in the lower levels allowing for low stratus to eventually develop generally after the 03-06Z timeframe first impacting the NOBX and eventually making its way SW'wards across the FA after 06Z.
There is still some uncertainty with how far this low stratus deck makes it, but with the most recent guidance it looks to make it as far SW as EWN so have included an IFR ceiling deck from here to points NE'ward in the TAF's. Across the rest of the terminals ISO/PGV/OAJ there remains too much uncertainty for lower ceilings so have just kept a SCT MVFR deck in these other locations though adjustments may need to be made in coming updates. Otherwise marine stratus eventually lifts by mid morning allowing VFR conditions to return across all of ENC.
Winds generally remain light through the entire period.
LONG TERM /Friday evening through Tuesday/...
As of 530 AM Thursday...Pred VFR expected through Saturday although there will be an opportunity for brief periods of sub- VFR in isolated showers or storms late in the day as mid level shortwaves and attendant cold front moves into the area. Low pressure passes along the offshore front Sunday through Sunday night bringing the best chance of widespread rain and sub-VFR conditions across rtes. Improving conditions are expected on Monday.
MARINE
SHORT TERM /Through Friday/...
As of 320 PM Thu...Backdoor cold front currently noted from Hatteras Island NW'ward into the western Albemarle Sound and will continue to gradually cross area waters from northeast to south ushering in another surge of 10-20 kt northeasterly flow tonight with a few gusts to 20+ kt likely. This front will eventually stall and dissipate to our south allowing winds to ease slightly down to 10-15 kts on Fri while becoming E-NE. Seas will remain around 3-5 ft along our coastal waters.
LONG TERM /Friday night through Tuesday/...
As of 530 AM Thursday...An active pattern will prevail in the long term with a series of mid level systems and weakening cold fronts move into the waters but conditions are expected to remain below SCA criteria until late in the weekend. Variable winds around 10 kt or less Friday night becomes Nly around 10-15 kt on Saturday as another cold front drops into the area and stalls offshore. Low pressure will develop along the front Sunday and pass off the OBX Sunday night into Monday with NE winds around 15-25 kt. Seas will generally be 2-4 ft, occasionally getting to 5 ft across the outer waters through Saturday but will build to 3 to 6 ft Sunday and peak Monday around 4-7 ft across the northern and southern waters and 6-10 ft across the central waters.
MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
NC...None.
MARINE...None.
| Stations | Dist | Age | Wind | Air Temp | Water Temp | Waves | inHg | DewPt |
| ORIN7 - 8652587 - Oregon Inlet Marina, NC | 8 mi | 47 min | E 9.9G | 58°F | 72°F | 30.03 | ||
| 44086 | 11 mi | 51 min | 57°F | 3 ft | ||||
| 44095 | 18 mi | 21 min | 58°F | 3 ft | ||||
| 44056 - Duck FRF, NC | 21 mi | 51 min | 58°F | 2 ft | ||||
| DUKN7 - Duck Pier, NC - 8651370 | 21 mi | 47 min | E 9.9G | 58°F | 30.00 | |||
| 44100 - Duck FRF 26m, NC (430) | 24 mi | 47 min | 57°F | 57°F | 3 ft | |||
| 41082 | 25 mi | 167 min | ENE 12 | 57°F | 59°F | 29.98 | ||
| 41083 | 41 mi | 167 min | 56°F | 58°F | 29.99 | |||
| 44079 | 44 mi | 167 min | 55°F | 56°F | 29.99 | |||
| 41120 | 48 mi | 47 min | 66°F | 3 ft | ||||
| HCGN7 - 8654467 - Hatteras, NC | 49 mi | 47 min | E 7G | 68°F | 72°F | 30.02 |
toggle option: (graph/table)
Airport Reports
EDIT (hide/show) Help Click EDIT to display multiple airports. Follow links for more data.| Airport | Dist | Age | Wind kt | Vis | Sky | Weather | Temp | DewPt | RH | inHg |
| KMQI DARE COUNTY RGNL,NC | 6 sm | 16 min | E 09 | 10 sm | Clear | 59°F | 54°F | 82% | 30.02 | |
| KFFA FIRST FLIGHT,NC | 9 sm | 16 min | E 06 | 10 sm | Partly Cloudy | 57°F | 54°F | 88% | 30.01 |
Tide / Current for Jennetts Pier (ocean), North Carolina
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Jennetts Pier (ocean)
Click for Map
Thu -- 04:05 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 04:22 AM EDT 3.04 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:24 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 10:42 AM EDT 0.67 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 02:54 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 04:43 PM EDT 3.01 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:38 PM EDT Sunset
Thu -- 11:00 PM EDT 0.57 feet Low Tide
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Click for Map
Thu -- 04:05 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 04:22 AM EDT 3.04 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:24 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 10:42 AM EDT 0.67 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 02:54 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 04:43 PM EDT 3.01 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:38 PM EDT Sunset
Thu -- 11:00 PM EDT 0.57 feet Low Tide
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Jennetts Pier (ocean), North Carolina, Tide feet
| 12 am |
| 1.2 |
| 1 am |
| 1.7 |
| 2 am |
| 2.3 |
| 3 am |
| 2.8 |
| 4 am |
| 3 |
| 5 am |
| 3 |
| 6 am |
| 2.7 |
| 7 am |
| 2.2 |
| 8 am |
| 1.6 |
| 9 am |
| 1.1 |
| 10 am |
| 0.7 |
| 11 am |
| 0.7 |
| 12 pm |
| 0.9 |
| 1 pm |
| 1.4 |
| 2 pm |
| 2 |
| 3 pm |
| 2.6 |
| 4 pm |
| 2.9 |
| 5 pm |
| 3 |
| 6 pm |
| 2.8 |
| 7 pm |
| 2.3 |
| 8 pm |
| 1.7 |
| 9 pm |
| 1.2 |
| 10 pm |
| 0.7 |
| 11 pm |
| 0.6 |
Oregon Inlet Marina
Click for Map
Thu -- 12:19 AM EDT 0.11 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 04:05 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 05:38 AM EDT 0.53 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:24 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 12:58 PM EDT 0.12 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 02:54 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 05:59 PM EDT 0.52 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:38 PM EDT Sunset
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Click for Map
Thu -- 12:19 AM EDT 0.11 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 04:05 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 05:38 AM EDT 0.53 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:24 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 12:58 PM EDT 0.12 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 02:54 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 05:59 PM EDT 0.52 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:38 PM EDT Sunset
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Oregon Inlet Marina, North Carolina, Tide feet
| 12 am |
| 0.1 |
| 1 am |
| 0.1 |
| 2 am |
| 0.2 |
| 3 am |
| 0.3 |
| 4 am |
| 0.4 |
| 5 am |
| 0.5 |
| 6 am |
| 0.5 |
| 7 am |
| 0.5 |
| 8 am |
| 0.4 |
| 9 am |
| 0.4 |
| 10 am |
| 0.3 |
| 11 am |
| 0.2 |
| 12 pm |
| 0.1 |
| 1 pm |
| 0.1 |
| 2 pm |
| 0.2 |
| 3 pm |
| 0.3 |
| 4 pm |
| 0.4 |
| 5 pm |
| 0.5 |
| 6 pm |
| 0.5 |
| 7 pm |
| 0.5 |
| 8 pm |
| 0.5 |
| 9 pm |
| 0.4 |
| 10 pm |
| 0.3 |
| 11 pm |
| 0.2 |
Morehead City, NC,
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