Updated: Coastal low to cause overwash, beach erosion into the weekend

No Swimming flags have been up just about every day for the last two weeks along Outer Banks beaches. [Kari Pugh photo]

Gusty winds and high surf are expected to continue through Saturday as a large coastal low intensifies off the mid-Atlantic coast, bringing the threat of overwash and beach erosion from Corolla to Buxton.

Minor soundside flooding will also possible for areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound, including Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras and Ocracoke.

According to a National Weather Service briefing, north-northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph along the Outer Banks are forecast to continue into Friday.

Rough surf and a strong onshore breeze have been experienced up and down the Outer Banks since a cold front passed through the area Tuesday.

Seas will run between 10 to 14 feet just offshore from Cape Hatteras North, and a high surf advisory has been posted until Saturday morning for breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet onshore.

South of Cape Hatteras, seas will run 6 to 9 feet and an onshore break of 4 to 6 feet.

The most likely time of overwash will begin with Thursday evening’s high tide at 6:50 p.m. at Oregon Inlet. High tide on Friday is at 7:18am and 7:26 p.m., and at 7:51 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday

Ocean swimming is not advised along all of the Outer Banks because of the dangerous shore break and frequent rip currents.

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Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.