Good morning, this is your surf zone forecast for coastal North Carolina and South Carolina, issued Monday April 27th at 3:30 AM.
A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through this evening for our northern beaches due to moderate rip current risks and strong longshore currents. If you're heading to the water today, stay aware and stay safe.
Let's break down what's happening across the region.
Starting with coastal Pender County, including Surf City and Topsail Beach, we're looking at moderate rip current risk continuing through tonight. Surf heights will range from 2 to 4 feet with that strong north-to-south longshore current we mentioned. Conditions look mostly cloudy this morning before clearing out to mostly sunny by midday. Water temperature is settling in the upper 60s with highs reaching near 70 degrees. Northeast winds are running around 15 miles per hour.
Moving south to coastal New Hanover, which covers Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher, conditions are similar with moderate rip current risk through this evening. You'll see 2 to 4 foot surf, mostly cloudy skies clearing to mostly sunny by early afternoon, and northeast winds between 15 and 20 miles per hour. Again, that strong longshore current will be in play.
Over in coastal Brunswick County at places like Oak Island, Holden Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach, things calm down a bit. We're looking at low rip current risk today with just 1 foot surf on the eastern beaches, though you might see 1 to 2 feet west of Ocean Isle. Conditions are mostly cloudy turning mostly sunny with highs in the upper 60s.
Down in coastal Horry County covering the Myrtle Beach area, we've got low rip current risk across the board today. Surf is minimal with just 1 to 2 feet, though you might see slightly more south of Myrtle Beach. Mostly cloudy skies clear to mostly sunny by midday. Northeast winds stay around 15 miles per hour with a moderate longshore current.
And finally, coastal Georgetown at Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet shows low rip current risk with 2 to 4 foot surf and another strong north-to-south longshore current. Mostly cloudy skies clear to sunny this afternoon with highs in the mid 60s and northeast winds around 15 miles per hour.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, the moderate rip current risk eases for our northern zones while remaining low elsewhere. Surf stays in the 1 to 4 foot range depending on location, with mostly sunny skies taking over and temperatures climbing into the lower 70s. Winds become much lighter, shifting from northeast to southeast as the afternoon progresses.
Wednesday brings a slight unsettled pattern with showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms across all beaches. Rip current risk remains moderate in the north and low in the south. Surf conditions hold steady at 1 to 4 feet with southwest winds around 10 miles per hour.
Thursday improves considerably with mostly sunny skies, low rip current risk, and just a slight chance of show
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.