Wilmington, North Carolina – A powerful gale is churning up hazardous seas off the North Carolina coast this weekend, threatening mariners with wind gusts up to 35 knots and waves reaching 13 feet through Sunday. The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning for coastal waters from Cape Fear south to 31N, as a developing low pressure system moves northeast along a lingering stationary front.
According to the National Weather Service, northerly winds will intensify this afternoon, building seas rapidly from 3 to 6 feet early to as high as 10 feet by tonight. Showers and thunderstorms—some heavy—will remain likely, with the heaviest action south of the front. Winds will remain near gale force overnight, then gradually ease Sunday night as the low pulls east.
Mariners should avoid unnecessary travel in these dangerous conditions, especially in small craft. Boaters are urged to stay in port, monitor weather updates, and wear life jackets if forced to be on the water. The threat of thunderstorms adds an additional layer of danger with rapidly shifting winds and limited visibility…