A hurricane warning is in effect for the North Carolina coast as Hurricane Earl churns in the Atlantic.
At noon Wednesday, Earl was 725 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, moving northwest at 17 mph.
The current forecast track puts Earl off the coast of North Carolina as a category 3 storm with sustained winds of 125 mph.
Hurricane-force winds (75+ mph) extend 60 miles outside of the eye. Tropical storm force winds will reach some inland counties near the coast.
If you're headed to Charleston this weekend, expect rough surf and rip currents now through Friday. The weekend weather should be fine.
In Myrtle Beach, expect rough surf and rip currents now through Friday with a nice weekend.
In Wilmington, expect rough surf with winds increasing to 20-30 mph now through Friday. Once again, the weekend should be fine.
Cape Hatteras has the highest risk for rough weather. Winds can be as high as 40-60 mph (gusts could be higher), which could cause power outages and beach erosion. North winds will cause sound-side flooding. Clean up for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
In Kitty Hawk, expect winds 30-45 mph, causing some power outages and beach erosion, mainly late Thursday and Early Friday morning. Clean up expected Friday and Saturday.
Remember, if the storm moves west of current track, conditions will be worse and if the storm tracks to the east, the weather will be much better.
