Surf's up, beach lovers! We're looking at some wild coastal conditions today along the North Carolina shoreline. The sun might be playing peek-a-boo through the clouds, but don't let that fool you - we've got some serious wave action brewing.

Starting from the Northern Outer Banks, expect a modest 1 to 3 foot surf today with southwest winds cranking up to 15 to 20 miles per hour. Water temps are chilly in the upper 50s, so grab that wetsuit. The UV index is blasting at very high, so sunscreen is your best friend.

Things get more intense as we move down to Hatteras Island. South of Cape Hatteras, we're talking high rip current risks and surf heights climbing from 3 to 5 feet and potentially building to 4 to 7 feet. Winds will be howling at 25 to 30 miles per hour, making for some serious maritime drama.

Ocracoke Island and the Carteret County beaches aren't holding back either. Expect high rip current risks, building surf from 3 to 4 feet up to 4 to 6 feet. Water temperatures are creeping into the mid-60s, and those southwest winds will keep things spicy.

The coastal Onslow beaches are joining the party with similar conditions - high rip current risks, surf heights ramping up from 3 to 4 feet to 4 to 6 feet. Breezy southwest winds around 20 to 25 miles per hour will keep things interesting.

Tuesday's forecast shows a dramatic shift. Temperatures will drop significantly, winds will swing north, and surf heights will gradually calm down. Rip current risks remain high across most areas, so water safety is crucial.

Bottom line: Today's a day for experienced surfers and careful beach-goers. Stay alert, respect the ocean, and enjoy the raw coastal energy!