Unfortunately, today is a bit different, with the initial clouds of Earl bringing overcast skies and a mandatory evacuation in effect for all of Dare County.

Please be kind to the Outer Banks Earl.

As Hurricane Earl heads northwest through the Atlantic, officials are unsure of its impact on the Outer Banks.

The latest reports project Earl nearing the Outer Banks late Thursday/early Friday – passing about 70 miles off the coast. This would bring high winds, possibly hurricane force winds, heavy rain, beach erosion and moderate sound side flooding. Weather conditions will deteriorate this evening as the storm approaches.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for all of Dare County and the North Carolina Coast from north of Surf City to Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are expected in 24 hours or less. Warnings can remain in effect when dangerously high water or waves exist even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

The Dare County Control Group has issued a mandatory evacuation for all visitors throughout the entire County effective 6:00 am Thursday, September 2.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and urges all residents and visitors to take necessary precautions for possible hurricane force winds as the storm is expected to pass approximately 80 miles off the Outer Banks early Friday morning. Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com.

• Dare County Emergency Management Bulletins

Earl Links: Public Advisory | Forecast | Tracking

Other Popular Weather Resources

• National Weather Service Homepage
• National Weather Service – National Hurricane Center
• Currituck County: Hurricane Preparedness
• Dare County: Typical Storm Questions and Answers
• North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Weather.com: Hurricane Earl News Ticker

Current Weather Conditions

• Corolla
• Duck & Kitty Hawk
• Kill Devil Hills
• Nags Head
• Manteo
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Current Storm Activities

Hurricane Earl – Updated Wednesday, 9/1, 10:30AM

As Hurricane Earl heads northwest through the Atlantic, officials are unsure of its impact on the Outer Banks.

The latest reports project Earl nearing the Outer Banks late Thursday/early Friday – passing about 80 miles off the coast. This would bring high winds, possibly hurricane force winds, heavy rain, beach erosion and moderate sound side flooding.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for all of Dare County and the North Carolina Coast from north of Surf City to Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and urges all residents and visitors to take necessary precautions for possible hurricane force winds as the storm is expected to pass approximately 80 miles off the Outer Banks early Friday morning. Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com.

• Dare County Emergency Management Bulletins

Earl Links: Public Advisory | Forecast | Tracking

Other Popular Weather Resources

• National Weather Service Homepage
• National Weather Service – National Hurricane Center
• Currituck County: Hurricane Preparedness
• Dare County: Typical Storm Questions and Answers
• North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Weather.com: Hurricane Earl News Ticker

Current Weather Conditions

• Corolla
• Duck & Kitty Hawk
• Kill Devil Hills
• Nags Head
• Manteo
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Perfect conditions; water temps in the 70′s, air temps in the upper 80′s, a light off-shore wind, and clean waist to shoulder sets lining up one after another.

This video was shot in about 10-15 mintues, and I lost track of the number of great waves and great rides I saw.

Pretty darn close to perfect OBX surf.

Thanks Mother Nature.  Please come again soon.

Now we are setting our sights on the two tropical systems moving through the Atlantic.  At this point, both Danielle and Earl seem to be staying out to sea.  This could spell a very good scenario for OBX surf.

Then again, it could be a lot of water moving around with no surf.  Surf conditions are sensitive to say the least, and right now, the winds don’t seem to be cooperating, but who knows, we could be surprised.  Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

At this point, the surf report seems to be saying early Monday is the best bet.

Outer Banks Surf Report - 8.27.10

Hurricane Danielle as of 8.27.10

Hurricane Danielle - 8.27.10

Topical Storm Earl as of 8.27.10

Tropical Storm Earl - 8.27.10

I braved life and limb to snap this picture…not to mention getting awful soggy and sandy.  But it’s worth it.

That’s an ugly looking storm rolling through; lots of rain, thunder and lightening.

A great storm to relax and watch pass by.  The great thing about most OBX thunderstorms is that they are gone as quickly as they arrived.

PS – Those two “orbs” in the picture are most likely the ghosts of Wilbur and Orville…or just sand and rain that was blowing around.

Outer Banks Thunderstorm

At this point, it’s tracked to stay out to sea…sorry Bermuda, but yay OBX!  No worries about an interrupted vacation and the strong likelihood of waves.

Tropical Storm Colin - 8.6.10

Now the big question is will the stars align to offer the clean waves OBX surfers are craving?  I’m not sure if the winds are going to lineup, but the swell will be here, so with some luck, we could be enjoying some fun waves this weekend and into next week.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Outer Banks Swell - 8.6.10

I won’t go on a weather report rant, but let’s just say they’re not always right, and when it comes to the Outer Banks and thunder storms, “not always” could be an understatement.

Chance of thunderstorms is a daily occurence on the OBX…especially during the heat of the summer.   The good news is that this “chance” often does not arise, and when it does there’s always a silver lining.

The OBX thunder storms are genearlly isolated and brief…plus, they are fun to watch.  Here’s a picture of a thunder storm rolling across the Sound last night.  There was some heavy rain, but it only lasted about 15 minutes.  So, don’t change your plans…but an umbrella may be helpful.

Outer Banks Thunder Storm

Wow, what a beach day! Sun is shining, warm temps, light breeze, gorgeous green/blue water, but most importantly, warm water! The water is warm enough to surf without a wetsuit!

Here’s a fun pic of a skimboarder, but the key point is just boardshorts!

Outer Banks Skimboarder

Early flowers are poking through, birds are singing, the sun is shining in the bright, Carolina blue skies, and the temps are heating up while the winds are calming down. 

This past weekend saw sunny skies and temps climbing into the 50′s; still a bit below average, but the 5 day forecast shows sunny skies and temperatures approaching 60 this week.  Looks like great weather for the Taste of the Beach and the St. Patrick’s Day parade this weekend. 

The fish are still biting, and surf is always inviting…especially with empty beaches.  

It’s always a great time to be on the Outer Banks.  Gorgeous vacation homes available!   

Here’s the description from NASA’s Earth Observatory:

With miles of sandy beaches and generally good weather, coastal North Carolina isn’t a place you would usually expect to find snow. But the view from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite on February 14, 2010, shows snow extending to the Outer Banks. The sandy islands, normally pale tan, are bright white in this image. Harkers Island received 8.8 inches of snow, reported CNN. The snow fell in a winter storm that moved across the southern United States from Texas to the Atlantic Coast on February 12-13.

NASA View - Snow on the Outer Banks