Storm Warnings are in effect for offshore waters from Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, to Little River Inlet, South Carolina, with north winds of 35 to 40 knots, gusts to 50 knots and seas up to 18 feet.
A nor’easter is developing off the coast.
Mariners are urged to remain in port, alter course or secure their vessels.
Storm force winds and hazardous seas will capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
A knot is about 1.15 mph, so 50 knots is roughly 58 mph.
Source: NWS Newport/Morehead City on X
Oregon Inlet to Cape Lookout, North Carolina
NWS Newport/Morehead City extended its Storm Warning.
It runs 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. EDT Sunday.
Winds: north at 35 to 40 knots, with gusts up to 50 knots.
Seas: 13 to 18 feet.
Areas: offshore waters 20 to 60 nautical miles out, from Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras, Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Inlet, and Ocracoke Inlet to Cape Lookout.
NWS Newport/Morehead City says the highest impacts are on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, where Saturday may be the last day to get off the islands.
Source: NWS Newport/Morehead City on X
Surf City, North Carolina, to Little River Inlet, South Carolina
NWS Wilmington has a two-stage warning for waters 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.
A Gale Warning remains in effect from noon Saturday to 8 a.m. EDT Sunday.
Winds are north at 30 to 40 knots, gusting to 45 knots, with seas of 8 to 13 feet.
A Storm Warning takes over from 8 a.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. EDT Monday.
Winds are north at 30 to 40 knots, gusting to 50 knots, with seas of 10 to 15 feet.
Source: NWS Wilmington, NC on X
Farther Offshore: Up to 25-Foot Seas
The Ocean Prediction Center also has Storm Warnings for waters 100 to 250 nautical miles offshore.
Baltimore Canyon to Hatteras Canyon: northeast winds of 40 to 50 knots Sunday, with seas of 14 to 24 feet.
Seas build to 15 to 25 feet Sunday night.
Hatteras Canyon to Cape Fear: north winds of 40 to 50 knots Sunday night, with seas of 14 to 25 feet.
Winds stay at 25 to 45 knots in both zones through Wednesday night.
Seas stay between 11 and 24 feet through Wednesday night.
Southwest Gulf of America
A separate Storm Warning covers the southwest Gulf of America, south of 22N and west of 94W.
NWS National Hurricane Center expects northwest winds of 40 to 50 knots south of 21N and west of 95W on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the zone, winds are northwest to north at 30 to 40 knots.
Seas: 15 to 23 feet Saturday, building to 16 to 25 feet Saturday night.
Conditions ease Sunday, with seas of 14 to 22 feet, and drop to 5 to 7 feet by Wednesday.
Safety for Mariners
A Storm Warning means winds of 48 to 63 knots are expected.
Stay in port or alter course.
Secure your vessel for severe conditions.
Check the marine forecast again before any trip. Seas stay rough for days.
Local forecasts and briefings: NWS Newport/Morehead City and the NWS Wilmington briefing page.
