Buxton, North Carolina

... Coastal Flood Advisory in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to
11 am EST Thursday...
... High surf advisory in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to 2 PM
EST Thursday...

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City has issued
a high surf advisory... which is in effect from 4 PM this
afternoon to 2 PM EST Thursday. A coastal Flood Advisory has also
been issued. This coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 4 PM
this afternoon to 11 am EST Thursday.

Low pressure moving NE from the central Gulf Coast states is
expected to lead to strong se to S winds for the region today and
tonight. This combined with above normal astronomical tides is
expected to lead to minor ocean side coastal flooding especially
near south facing beaches. The best potential for this is a couple
hours either side of high tides... which occur around 715 PM this
evening and 745 am Thursday morning.

The strong fetch of se to S winds offshore is also expected to
produce surf in the 6 to 8 ft range with bigger sets at south
exposed beaches tonight into early Thursday.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area... producing dangerous rip currents and
localized beach erosion.

A coastal Flood Advisory indicates that onshore winds and tides
will combine to generate flooding of low areas along the shore.

... Wind Advisory in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 am EST
Thursday...

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City has issued
a Wind Advisory... which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to
8 am EST Thursday.

Low pressure will move NE from the central Gulf Coast states today
and tonight bringing increasing winds to area. Se winds of 25 to
35 mph are expected to develop this afternoon especially east of
a Morehead City to Nags Head line. The winds are then expected to
shift south tonight then southwest by Thursday morning.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Wind Advisory means that winds of 31 to 39 mph with higher
gusts are expected. Winds this strong can make driving
difficult... especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra
caution.

****************************************************************
    winter weather awareness week in North Carolina
                    Nov 29 - Dec 5, 2009
    *************************************************************

This week has been declared winter weather awareness week in North
Carolina. All week long the National Weather Service will be issuing
informative messages to help you prepare for winter weather.

Each day we will cover a different topic. Today we will talk about
snow statistics for the area and The Hazards created by snow.

A little amount of snow can adversely impact the area in very little
time. The average seasonal snowfall ranges from 4 to 6 inches across
Martin, Pitt, and Greene counties to less than 2 inches across the
Outer Banks. In recent years Winters in eastern North Carolina have
been unusually active. Three major winter storms have occurred in
with each storm depositing 8 or more inches of snow. The winter
storm that occurred in early December of 2000 dumped 8 to 12 inches
of snow over parts of Martin, Pitt, and Greene counties. In early
January of 2002, parts of Lenoir, Duplin, Greene, Pitt, and Martin
counties received up to 9 inches of snow. In early January of 2003,
portions of the Outer Banks received up to 12 inches of snow with
drifts to up to 4 feet. Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, and downeast
Carteret County received 8 inches of snow. This was the most snow
which had fallen on the Outer Banks since the snowstorm of December
1989. Another unusual fact about the storm was that all 100 counties
in North Carolina received measurable snow.

Heavy snow accumulations can bring down and trees and power lines. In
rural areas, heavy snow can isolate homes for days. Driving in snow
can become very hazardous. About seventy percent of all winter
related deaths occur in automobiles when cars slide on slippery
roads causing accidents. When snow falls and roadways become
dangerous you should only travel when necessary.

Preparing for snow before it falls is best. When snow is in the
forecast and it looks as though conditions will become hazardous,
make sure that you have enough food and medicine at your house to
last several days. Also make sure that there is enough fuel for
alternative heat sources such as fireplaces and heaters. It is also
helpful to have a full tank of gas in your car.

Being prepared also means having the necessary information to make
the right decisions. The Newport/Morehead City National Weather
Service issues winter storm advisories when 1 to 3 inches of snow
accumulation is expected. When 4 or more inches of snow is forecast
the National Weather Service issues winter storm watches and
warnings to protect life and property. These watches and warnings
are issued as much as 36 hours in advance of the snow to allow the
community and local governments to prepare and plan for the winter
weather.