Active Weather Alerts
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Issued: 5:56 PM Mar. 16, 2026 – National Weather Service
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM EDT FOR NEW HANOVER...EASTERN PENDER AND EASTERN BRUNSWICK COUNTIES... At 154 PM EDT, strong to severe thunderstorms were from near Burgaw to Wilmington and Oak, moving northeast at 50 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect some wind damage to trees and power lines. Locations impacted include... Wilmington, Leland, Burgaw, Wrightsville Beach, Surf City, Figure Eight Island, Hampstead, Boiling Spring Lakes, St. James, Topsail Beach, Maple Hill, Hightsville, Wilmington International Airport, Murrayville, Castle Hayne, Ogden, and Winnabow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for southeastern North Carolina. Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Please send your reports of hail or wind damage, including trees or large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in Wilmington at 1 800 697 3901. && TORNADO...POSSIBLE; HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN; WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
Special Marine Warning
Issued: 5:52 PM Mar. 16, 2026 – National Weather Service
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a * Special Marine Warning for... Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm... * Until 230 PM EDT. * At 151 PM EDT, strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts to around 50 knots and the potential for waterspouts were located front near Wilmington to Oak Island. These storms were, moving northeast at 45 knots. HAZARD...Waterspouts and wind gusts to nearly 50 knots. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. * Locations impacted include... Fort Fisher, 10 Mile Boxcars, Liberty Ship, Dallas Rock, Billy Murrell Reef, Johnny Mercer Pier, Masonboro Sea Buoy, North Masonboro Island, Harris Reef, 10 Mile Rocks, Kure Beach Point, Sheepshead Rock, Buoy Off Carolina Beach, Topsail Boxcars, Topsail Tire Reef, Dredge Wreck, 5 Mile Boxcars, Rich Inlet, Kure Beach, and South Masonboro Island. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for southeastern North Carolina...and the adjacent coastal waters. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until these storms pass. If caught on the open water, prepare for deteriorating conditions. Make sure you and your crew are wearing properly fitted life jackets. && WATERSPOUT...POSSIBLE; HAIL...0.00IN; WIND...49KTS
Freeze Warning
Issued: 5:46 PM Mar. 16, 2026 – National Weather Service
...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 10 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... ...WIND ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Freezing temperatures as low as around 32 expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Brunswick, Coastal New Hanover, and Coastal Pender Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry County. * WHEN...From 2 AM to 10 AM EDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. &&
Tornado Watch
Issued: 5:26 PM Mar. 16, 2026 – National Weather Service
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 69 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS COASTAL WATERS FROM SURF CITY TO CAPE FEAR NC OUT 20 NM COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE FEAR NC TO LITTLE RIVER INLET SC OUT 20 NM COASTAL WATERS FROM LITTLE RIVER INLET TO MURRELLS INLET SC OUT 20 NM COASTAL WATERS FROM MURRELLS INLET TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SC OUT 20 NM
Tornado Watch
Issued: 5:26 PM Mar. 16, 2026 – National Weather Service
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 69 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA BLADEN BRUNSWICK COLUMBUS NEW HANOVER PENDER ROBESON IN SOUTH CAROLINA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA DILLON FLORENCE GEORGETOWN HORRY MARION WILLIAMSBURG THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ANDREWS, BLADENBORO, BOILING SPRING LAKES, BURGAW, CHADBOURN, CONWAY, DILLON, ELIZABETHTOWN, FLORENCE, GARDEN CITY, GEORGETOWN, KINGSTREE, LAKE WACCAMAW, LELAND, LITTLE RIVER, LONG BEACH, LUMBERTON, MARION, MULLINS, MURRELLS INLET, MYRTLE BEACH, NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, OAK ISLAND, RED HILL, SOCASTEE, SOUTHPORT, SUNSET BEACH, SURF CITY, TABOR CITY, WHITEVILLE, AND WILMINGTON.
Gale Warning
Issued: 1:48 PM Mar. 16, 2026 – National Weather Service
...GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... * WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 7 to 10 ft expected. * WHERE...Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN...Until midnight EDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions. &&
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