A developing Nor’easter will bring high impacts across coastal sections of the Eastern United States over the next several days. Unfortunately, the Outer Banks will get the brunt of this system with heavy rain, strong winds, beach erosion, and flooding. Impacts will also be felt across the Delmarva Peninsula, counties along the Chesapeake Bay, and into Hampton Roads.
RAINFALL
WeatherBell – NAM Model / Rainfall Forecast
Periods of moderate to heavy rain will continue from late Friday morning through Sunday evening. The heaviest rain will fall along the Outer Banks, with rainfall amounts ranging anywhere from 5 to locally 10 inches. Across Hampton Roads 1 to 3 inches of rain can be expected, with locally higher amounts closer to Virginia Beach.
WIND
WeatherBell – NAM Model / Max Wind Gust Forecast
Strong north winds 20 to 30 mph across Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks region is likely throughout the entire weekend. Wind gusts exceeding 60 mph is possible from the Outer Banks northward to Virginia Beach. Wind gusts could peak 45 to 50 mph along the immediate coast of the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva Peninsula.
HIGH WIND WARNINGS have been issued by the National Weather Service for Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina through this weekend.Wind gusts up to 60 mph can be expected.
HIGH WAVES & COASTAL FLOODING
NOAA NWS – River Flooding Forecast
The National Weather Service is forecasting water inundation of 2 feet or GREATER across Coastal Virginia and North Carolina. The Outer Banks, including the Atlantic side and both Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds will likely be hit the hardest. Some river forecasts are close to record flood stage Sunday into Monday. Virginia residents along the Chesapeake Bay, York, James, and Potomac Rivers, need take precautions and prepare to move to higher ground if water threatens homes, businesses, and roads.
Wave heights along coastal beaches on the Atlantic side will approach 20 FEET in the Outer Banks, and as high as 12 to 16 feet along the Delmarva Peninsula to Virginia Beach. Waves could severely damage dune structures, resulting in damage to property along the shoreline, including some property located immediately behind dune structures. Actions should be taken to protect life and property.
In the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, wave heights will range 5 to 8 feet. Across the Chesapeake Bay, wave heights will reach 5 to 8 feet along the mouth of the bay, with wave heights in adjacent rivers close to the bay ranging 2 to 3 feet.
Please stay with Virginia Weather Network for additional information. Please submit any coastal flooding reports or photos to your local National Weather Service and local media stations.
