Warm air temperatures for the weekend on the Outer Banks, but the water is still chilly

Much warmer air temperatures are expected for the last weekend of March along the Outer Banks and in eastern North Carolina, keep in mind that area waters are still chilly for kayaking, canoeing and other boating.

The National Weather Service office in Wakefield, in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, has established the Paddle Craft Cold Water Risk program because of the risk cold water presents during the early spring.

While high temperatures will be in the upper 70s and even low 80s Friday through Sunday, water temperatures are still only in the 50s in the ocean, sounds, coastal rivers and creeks.

“If you plan to go out on the water, wear the proper gear including personal floatation devices,” the weather office posted on Facebook. “Cold water kills despite warm air temperatures.”

A small craft advisory is posted for Friday, and paddling is not advised along the open areas of the sounds.

Southwest winds of 10-to-20 knots are also forecast for much the weekend, with waves on the sounds running 2-to-3 feet on Friday, and then 1-to-2 feet on Saturday and Sunday.

On the oceanside, seas of 5-to-7 feet are expected offshore and 4-to-5 feet nearshore on Friday with a small craft advisory. Seas will drop to 4 feet on Saturday and run 3-to-5 feet on Sunday.

National Weather Service forecast for Nags Head, as of Friday, 8 a.m.:
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
A slight chance of showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

This story originally appeared on OBXToday.com. Read More local stories here.