Rainy forecast for Outer Banks as Tropical Storm Bertha forms off S.C.

May 27, 2020 OBX Today Featured Comments Off on Rainy forecast for Outer Banks as Tropical Storm Bertha forms off S.C.

Satellite image of the disturbance off the S.C. coast on May 27, 2020. [NOAA image]

An area of low pressure developing off the southeast U.S. has become 2020’s second tropical storm, and is expected bring eastern North Carolina another steady dose of rain lasting into the weekend.

The National Hurricane Center issued a Special Tropical Weather Outlook this morning, as radar imagery indicates that the area of disturbed weather located just off the South Carolina coast has become significantly better organized over the past few hours.

Reports from an offshore buoy are showing that this system is producing tropical-storm-force winds. If these development trends continue, then this system is likely to become a Tropical Storm Bertha before it moves inland later today.

If so, it would be the second tropical storm in the Atlantic before the start of the 2020 hurricane season on June 1. Tropical Storm Arthur grazed the Outer Banks last Monday.

NOAAs Climate Prediction Center and N.C. State University have predicted above normal tropical activity this year.

Even if it does not become a tropical storm, heavy rainfall from the system could cause flash flooding over portions of the Carolinas through Saturday.

A moderate risk of rip currents is posted for Wednesday along all Outer Banks beaches and more low clouds and fog are forecast for northeastern N.C. before the rain moves in, thanks to a continued onshore flow.

National Weather Service forecast for Nags Head, as of Wednesday 8 a.m.:

A chance of showers after 8am. Areas of fog before 2pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Sunny, with a high near 68. Breezy.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunny, with a high near 70.

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