Outer Banks Infographic: How to Forecast the Weather

Posted on January 26, 2012

The other day I posted the first installment in our new blog series, Outer Banks Infographic. It is a nifty little picture of the benefits of renting an Outer Banks vacation home vs. hotels.

As a quick refresher, here’s how wikipedia defines an infographic:

Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. These graphics present complex information quickly and clearly.

Basically, it’s a lot of information boiled down into a pretty picture so knuckle-heads like me can understand it.

As I mentioned in the previous post, we are going to create a whole bunch of original Outer Banks infographics to share with you, but in addition, we’re going to share some great one’s that we come across in our online hunting.

Today’s Outer Banks infographic is one that I found while hunting. So we can’t take credit for creating it, but we’ll take credit for sharing it.

It focuses on how to forecast the weather without gadgets, and I have to say that I am super excited about this one.

The Outer Banks has some awesome weather, and being fortunate to call the OBX home gives me the opportunity to experience these often mystifying weather patterns on a daily basis.

I’ve promised myself numerous times that I would become better at understanding the daily OBX weather. It’s fun to understand nature and the world around us, but it will also give me a chance to get a jump on great surf conditions.

Unfortunately, as many times as I’ve made this promise to myself, I’ve never really followed through on it. Sure, I can tell you what direction the wind is blowing, but how hard is that when you’re standing on the beach – i.e. the furthest point east?

So, today’s Outer Banks infographic is right up my alley. I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. Thank you inforgraphic gods (and DailyInfographic.com).

Let’s get to some weather forecasting! Enjoy…

PS – If this one is a little small to read, you can use the above link to see an enlarged version.

Outer Banks Infographic: How to Forecast Weather

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Sometimes, it even rains at the beach…

Posted on October 12, 2011

Outer Banks: 10.12.11 - Overcast at Avalon Pier

It’s hard to believe, but, yes, sometimes it even rains on the Outer Banks. Boo!…I know.

It’s not too shabby today, only a 50% chance of showers, but it’s definitely an overcast day. The warms temps still feel great though. Temps in the 70′s, water @ 68, a relatively stiff east wind at about 10-15 mph. The good news is it looks like the sun will be back soon, and the weekend looks perfecto!

There’s some decent swell in the water, but no surf today. Although, fun Surf tomorrow? The OBX surf forecast looks good tomorrow morning with chest high, clean surf and a light southwest breeze. But the wind should pick up and switch south in the morning, so get at the waves early. Friday and the weekend look decent for clean waves, but they’ll be small in the knee to waist range.

The Fall fish are biting! Piers are full, surf casters are lining the shore. It’s a great time to be fishing on the Outer Banks. Here’s a great OBX fishing overview we posted yesterday.

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks: Hurricane Irene Update – 8.24.11, 9:00 PM

Posted on August 24, 2011

Hurricane Irene Projected Path - 8.24.11 - 9 PM

It sure is gorgeous on the Outer Banks right now. Perfect end of summer beach weather.

Unfortunately, that could all change very soon. Hurricanes tend to be pretty erratic. Their path can change drastically, and computer models tend to have a wide range of error. However, as the storm draws closer, the models get stronger, and Hurricane Irene is getting pretty consistent.

At this point, Hurricane Irene is a category 3 hurricane, and the projected path brings it to Ocracoke late Saturday night and into Sunday.

However, it’s too early to know for sure. We are starting to implement emergency plans. As of tomorrow (Thursday, 8.25.11) at 8:00 AM, all Dare County guests are required to evacuate.

From Dare County:

The Dare County Control Group has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all visitors throughout all of Dare County effective 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 25.

All visitors are urged to make preparations and leave the area. Dare County Emergency Management urges visitors to take all personal belongings with them during evacuation. Other preparation steps are available at www.ReadyNC.org and www.darenc.com

Although the mandatory evacuation order is for all Dare County visitors, residents are advised to take proper precautions and make general storm preparations. This effort should include securing all loose items outdoors. Monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

The Dare County Control Group will meet again on Thursday, August 25 after the 5:00 p.m. storm advisory has been issued by the National Hurricane Center. Further evacuations should be anticipated as Irene moves closer to the Outer Banks.

At this time there are no new reentry stickers being issued. The previously issued stickers, for 2008/2009, are still valid. Residents can also use a North Carolina driver’s license showing a Dare County address. Property owners may use a Dare County tax bill with proper identification for reentry.

Updates and bulletins will be issued on an as needed basis and will be available on www.darenc.com and Government Access Channel 20.

From The Weather Channel:
Hurricane Irene, a large, powerful Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, continues to plow through the Bahamas, with more impacts in its sights.

As you can see on our projected path map above, Hurricane Irene will track towards the East Coast this weekend. It is still too early to determine the exact path and the potential impact to the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 8.24.11 – Gorgeous OBX Sunrise. Ugly Hurricane Irene!

Posted on August 24, 2011

Outer Banks: 8.24.11 - Gorgeous OBX Sunrise

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

This video was shot at the Carlow Ave. beach access in Kill Devil Hills at 6:15 AM.

I made it to the beach early this morning to catch the sunrise, and it was well worth it. Gorgeous OBX sunrise, and a gorgeous OBX day.

I’ll move through the beach report quickly so I can get to Hurricane Irene since that’s the main topic on our minds today.

We’ve had perfect beach weather the past week, and it will continue today and through the next couple days. Humidity has dropped, and temps are in the mid 80′s. Bright sun and almost no wind this morning.

No surf to report today, but the forecast gets gnarly over the next few days as Hurricane Irene approaches. Surf grows to double overhead by the weekend!

OBX fishing is going great. Offshore is catching dolphin, wahoo, black and yellow fin tuna, and some bill fish mixed in. The piers, bridges, surf, & Sound are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – spot, croaker, flounder, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, blue fish, cobia, trigger fish, spade fish, pompano.

But the main topic on everyone’s mind is Hurricane Irene. What path will Hurricane Irene take? Will it impact the Outer Banks? A direct hit to the OBX?!

Hurricanes are pretty erratic. Their path can change drastically, quickly.

At this point, Hurricane Irene is a category 2 hurricane, and the projected path brings it to Ocracoke late Saturday night and into Sunday.

However, it’s too early to know for sure. We are starting to prepare, and think through emergency plans, but there is still ample time for things to change. It’s only Wednesday, so we have 3-4 days for predictions, computer models, and the actual path that can change considerably.

It’s more “wait and see” than anything at this point. Preparations are being made, but the hope is the beast of a storm will continue to move east and head out to sea. Some great waves and no impact to land would be awesome!

Ocracoke is in the process of being evacuated starting today. Guests must leave the island today, and permanent residents are being asked to leave tomorrow. But this is just a precautionary step. The emergency planning needs to give enough time for everyone to evacuate if need be, and this is just the first step in the process.

We’ll keep you updated as things progress. Please keep an eye on our website (www.OuterBanksVacations.com) for the most current updates, and we’ll also update Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SeasideVacationsOBX) along the way.

Please keep the OBX in your thoughts, and send good vibes to push Hurricane Irene out to sea.

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

PS – How about that earthquake yesterday?! That was wild. Definitely a first for this East Coast kid.

Here’s the projected Hurricane Irene paths as of 8:00 AM 8.24.11:

Hurricane Irene Project Path - 8.24.11

Here’s the Outer Banks surf forecast for Hurricane Irene as of 8:00 AM on 8.24.11:

Outer Banks & Hurricane Irene Surf Forecast - 8.24.11

Seaside Vacations
www.OuterBanksVacations.com
Facebook.com/SeasideVacationsOBX

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 8.5.11 – Great Beach Weekend. Surf on Sunday?!

Posted on August 5, 2011

Outer Banks: 8.5.11 - Great Beach Weekend

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, August 5, 2011.

This video was shot at the Kitty Hawk Pier at 9:00 AM.

Before I dive into the report, I’d like to say a quick Happy Anniversary to my Grandparents who are celebrating their 67 wedding anniversary today. Considering that they are in their 90′s and don’t know how to use the internet, it’s a safe bet they won’t see this video, but I’m sending out my love and good vibes none-the-less. Thanks for being great role models!

Back to the beach! It’s a start to the weekend with great beach conditions. It’s been in the 90′s all week, but the temps have cooled to the mid 80′s today, and will stay there through the weekend. The sun is out, the sky is blue, and there’s strong wind blowing off the ocean out of the east, northeast.

The winds are chopping up the water pretty good for today and tomorrow, but the winds will switch offshore out of the southwest by Sunday…just in time for some surf!….hopefully.

There has been some excitement this week about the potential for surf from Tropical Storm Emily, but that storm dissipated over the Caribbean yesterday. Now that it has broken apart a bit, the surf doesn’t look quite as promising, but we could still have a great day of surf on Sunday and Monday.

The forecasts have dropped the swell from shoulder to waist +, but with a great offshore wind, sun, air and water temps in the 80′s, waist + surf could be all we need for some prime OBX summer surf conditions. Keep your fingers crossed!

As for OBX fishing, tight lines all around. Offshore is catching wahoo, dolphin, big eye and yellow fin tuna, and some bill fish mixed in. The piers, bridges, surf, and Sound are very consistent with a wide variety of fish – speckled trout, spot, croaker, blue fish, Spanish Mackeral, flounder, sea mullet, trigger fish, cobia.

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Great OBX Beach Day & More Surf on the Way?!

Posted on August 4, 2011

Outer Banks: 8.4.11 - Longboard Wave in Kitty Hawk

Another great Outer Banks beach day. Bright sun, blue skies, temps in the 90′s, water temp 75 – 80. And a fun longboard wave with southwest wind keeping the waves clean. Tight lines all around; fish are biting offshore, near shore, piers, bridges, surf, & Sound.

Some more good surf this weekend? The forecast for Tropical Storm Emily keeps it out to sea and moving past the OBX Sunday and Monday with an offshore wind! Great wave conditions. The surf forecast shows swell jumping to chest to shoulder for Sunday and Monday and clean surf. Keep your fingers crossed!

Tropical Storm Emily Forecast - 8.4.11

Outer Banks Surf Forecast - 8.4.11

Y Partnership Loves Vacation Rentals Too!

Posted on January 3, 2011

: Seaside Vacations – Sandy Oasis

Ypartnership is a global marketing communications agency specializing in the travel, leisure, and entertainment industries. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the agency is one of the most frequently quoted sources on emerging trends in travel and tourism.

Ypartnership chairman and CEO Peter Yesawich recently issued their detailed forecast for the travel industry in 2011, and they see good things for travel as a whole, and great things for vacation rentals specifically.

I’ll spare you the all of the ingredients of the detailed report (you can find more here), but I’ll pull out a couple highlights…

1. Interest in condominium and vacation home rentals will demonstrate robust growth (almost half of all leisure travelers are now interested in a vacation home rental as an alternative to conventional lodging when on vacation), particularly among family travelers seeking more space and better value.

2. As of October of this year, fully 55 percent of all U.S. adults were planning at least one overnight trip primarily for leisure purposes during the first two calendar quarters of 2011, up slightly from the 53 percent who expressed this sentiment at the same point in time in 2009.

It’s great to see some positive forecasts. Could be a good idea to book your vacation home early, and we’d love to help.

www.OuterBanksVacations.com

Hurricane Earl on the Way to the Outer Banks? 9.1.10 – 10:30AM

Posted on September 1, 2010

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.

Hurricane Earl Forecast 9.1.10

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

Current Weather Conditions

Tropical Storm Danny On Course to Breeze by Outer Banks

Posted on August 27, 2009

Tropical Storm Danny is moving westward towards the Outer Banks, but the current forecasts have it turning north and heading up the East Coast prior to making landfall.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): TROPICAL STORM DANNY IS FORECAST TO BECOME A MINIMAL HURRICANE AS IT PASSES EAST OF THE OUTER BANKS FRIDAY NIGHT. GUSTY WINDS…LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN AND ROUGH SURF WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG THE COAST FRIDAY NIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY AS DANNY MOVES BY OVER THE OFFSHORE WATERS. AT THIS TIME THE FORECAST TRACK IS FAR ENOUGH OFFSHORE TO KEEP THE STRONGEST WINDS AND HEAVIEST RAIN EAST OF THE REGION…HOWEVER A SLIGHT SHIFT TO THE WEST COULD GREATLY INCREASE THE IMPACTS.

The Outer Banks seems secure for now, possibly some wind and rain, but no major impact; however, as the NOAA report indicates a small shift in course could change the impact significantly. Danny needs continued monitoring.

Currently, the OBX surf is predicted to increase over the next few days.

Tropical Storm Danny Forecast
TS Danny Forecast - 8.27.09

Tropical Storm Danny Computer Models

Outer Banks Surf Forecast

Tropical Storm Danny…More Outer Banks Surf?!

Posted on August 26, 2009

The 2009 Hurricane Season made a late debut in the Atlantic. The first named hurricane didn’t move up the East Coast until the middle of August, but it seems a late start doesn’t necessarily correlate to lower levels of activity.

Hurricane Bill pushed past the Outer Banks last weekend and left some great OBX surf in it’s wake. Now Tropical Storm Danny is forming in the Atlantic hurricane basin and threatening a close call for the Outer Banks by Saturday.

Tropical Storm Danny formed in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas on Wednesday and set a course that could take it near North Carolina’s Outer Banks and the northeastern U.S. states as a hurricane by the weekend. Danny is expected to gather strength over the Atlantic and could be a Category 1 hurricane by the weekend.

It is too early to forecast a precise path, but the current forecasts call for Danny to stay east of the Outer Banks. However, forecasters say the average error in their forecast three days in advance is about 200 miles.

Most computer models have the storm staying well off the U.S. East Coast, but one forecast shows it passing very close to the Outer Banks and heading up the coast.

Hopefully Danny follows a similar path to Bill and sends great surf but spares any potential damage. The storm’s progress will need to be monitored over the next few days.

The silver lining is that the Outer Banks will get some increased swell over the next few days. Hopefully the conditions line up for some great surf!

Tropical Storm Danny Forecast