Rain, wind expected along coast

Coastal areas of Onslow and Carteret County can expect to start feeling the remnants of Hurricane Ida Tuesday.

“The main impact on area beaches and in the coastal areas will be the potential for a widespread rain event,” said Jim Merrell, a duty forecaster for the National Weather Service in Newport. “These areas are likely to receive heavy rain, from two to four inches, in a 36 to 48-hour period — late (Tuesday) through Thursday.”

Merrell said low pressure that will begin to develop off the Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coast will impact Eastern North Carolina in the form strong winds and building seas.

“Kind of like a Nor’easter situation,” he said.

He said northeast winds from 25 to 30 knots are expected and wind gusts of 40 knots are likely Wednesday into Wednesday night.

“Northeast winds usually don’t affect southern beaches as much, but the higher swells and surf could cause some minor beach erosion,” he said.

Elevated rip current threats are anticipated starting Tuesday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of showers developing Monday night into Tuesday with increased potential for rain to develop during the day.

“The biggest threat of heavy rains will be Wednesday and Wednesday night,” Merrell said.

Contact Suzanne Ulbrich at 910-219-8454 or sulbrich@freedomenc.com.