Good morning! Here's your Sunday and Monday surf zone forecast for the North Carolina coast brought to you by the National Weather Service.

Starting with the Northern Outer Banks including Duck, Kitty Hawk, and Nags Head, we've got a Beach Hazards Statement in effect through this evening. Today expect moderate rip current risk with waves running three to five feet. It'll be cloudy with showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Water temperatures are in the mid-fifties, and winds will pick up from the north, starting around ten miles per hour and increasing to twenty in the afternoon. High temperatures will reach the lower sixties. Come Monday, things get more active with high rip current risk and surf heights increasing to four to six feet. It'll clear up and stay mostly sunny with northeast winds around fifteen miles per hour.

Moving down to Hatteras Island, we're also issuing a Beach Hazards Statement through this evening north of Cape Hatteras. North of the Cape, expect moderate rip currents and three to five foot surf with moderate thunderstorm potential. South of Cape Hatteras, slightly smaller waves around two to four feet with moderate rip current risk as well. Water temps are in the lower sixties. Monday sees a significant rip current upgrade north of the Cape to high risk, with impressive five to seven foot waves building in. South of the Cape stays calmer with four foot waves and low rip current risk.

Ocracoke Island is looking at moderate rip current risk today with two to four foot waves and moderate thunderstorm potential. Water temperatures here are a bit warmer in the mid-sixties, with highs reaching the upper sixties. Monday stays moderate on the rip current risk with three to five foot waves and northeast winds around twenty miles per hour.

For East Carteret, which includes Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks, Core Banks show moderate rip current risk with two to four foot surf, while Shackleford stays low risk with smaller waves. Moderate thunderstorm potential throughout. Monday, Core Banks jump to five to six foot waves still at moderate rip current risk, while Shackleford Banks remain calmer.

West Carteret beaches around Fort Macon and Emerald Isle are looking pretty mellow today. Low rip current risk, small waves around two feet, and moderate thunderstorm potential. Highs in the upper sixties. Monday stays calm with similar conditions and no thunderstorm threat.

And finally, Coastal Onslow including North Topsail Beach also shows low rip current risk today with small waves and moderate thunderstorm potential. Monday looks pleasant with two to three foot waves, low rip current risk, and mostly sunny skies.

Bottom line: If you're heading to the Northern Outer Banks or Hatteras Island, pay close attention to that rip current risk, especially Monday. The southern beaches are looking much more relaxed. Either way, beautiful clearing is expected for both days with improving conditions. Get out there and enjoy it!

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.