Weather Alert in North Carolina
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 20 at 7:37PM EDT until August 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
AREAS AFFECTED: Northern Outer Banks; Ocracoke Island; Hatteras Island
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...For the Beach Hazards Statement, dangerous rip currents in the surf zone. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 10 to 20+ feet in the surf zone. * WHERE...The beaches from Duck to Hatteras Island. * WHEN...For the Beach Hazards Statement, through Thursday evening. For the High Surf Advisory, until midnight EDT Friday night. * IMPACTS...Extreme beach and coastal damage is likely along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property. Large dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures. Severe flooding will likely extend inland from the waterfront causing flooding of many homes and businesses with some structural damage possible. Numerous roads will likely be impassable under several feet of water and vehicles will likely be submerged. Actions will need to be taken to protect life and property. Extremely dangerous swimming and surfing conditions expected, as well as the wave action resulting in significant beach erosion. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for the Outer Banks. This is expected to be a prolonged duration event, with the potential for portions of NC-12 and secondary roads along the Outer Banks, in particular on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, to be impassable and/or inaccessible through the end of the week due to significant wave run up.
INSTRUCTION: Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet
Next Topic: Snow
Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary
components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones,
and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and
therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.
The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be
wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer
layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air
it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water
droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is
freezing rain.
Next Topic: Snow
Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds
Next Topic: Stratus Clouds
Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their
fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.
A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure
the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally
an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a
stratocumulus cloud.
It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do
it is usually a light rain or snow.
Next Topic: Stratus Clouds
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