Carolinas Coast (Experimental)

Special Marine Warning Issued for strong to severe thunderstorms with winds 34 knots or greater, waterspouts, or hail 3/4" or greater that are imminent or expected within 2 hours. They may also be issued for strong cold fronts or outflow boundaries with short duration winds in excess of 34 knots.

Marine Weather Statement Issued for non-severe phenomena that may still pose a threat to the marine community including weak thunderstorms, sea fog, hazardous material spills. Marine Weather Statements are also issued as outlooks for when Gale, Storm or Hurricane Force Wind Warnings are expected and to provide follow-up information to Special Marine Warnings.

Small Craft Advisory Required for sustained wind speeds of 25 to 33 knots and/or 6 feet or higher. The criteria for Small Craft Advisory slightly varies from region to region.

Small Craft Advisory For Hazardous Seas Issued when wave heights exceed Small Craft Advisory criteria, but wind speeds do not (this is optional depending on the region).

Gale Warning Issued for sustained wind speeds of 34 to 47 knots. There are no wave height criteria with Gale Warnings.

Storm Warning Issued for sustained wind speeds of 48 to 63 knots. There are no wave height criteria with Storm Warnings.

Hurricane Force Wind Warning Issued for sustained wind speeds of 64 knots or higher. There are no wave height criteria with Hurricane Force Wind Warnings

Coastal Flood Advisory Issued for minor coastal flooding events. These events are marked by a high astronomical tide and most times an onshore wind.

Coastal Flood Watch Issued for the possibility of moderate to major coastal flooding within 12 to 48 hours.

Coastal Flood Warning Issued for moderate to major coastal flooding expected within 12 to 24 hours, or is imminent or already occurring.

Coastal Hazard Message Issued approximately every 6 hours to provide follow-up information on a Coastal Flood Advisory, Watch, or Warning. Coastal Hazard Messages are also issued to provide information on rip current risks and High Surf Advisories.

High Surf Advisory/Warning Issued when breaking wave action poses a threat to life and property within the surf zone.

Low Water Advisory Issued when astronomical tides will be very low along with strong offshore flow.

Excessive Heat Watch Issued for a 50 percent or greater probability of reaching a heat index of 115 degrees or higher in the second or third period of the forecast. *The criteria varies from region to region.

Excessive Heat Warning Issued for a heat index of 115 degrees or higher expected within the first or second periods (on occasion third period). *The criteria varies from region to region.

Heat Advisory Issued for a heat index of 105 to 114 degrees for three or more hours expected within the first or second periods (on occasion third period). *The criteria varies from region to region.

Wind Chill Watch Issued for a 50 percent or greater probability of reaching wind chills of minus 15 degrees or lower with wind speeds of at least 5 mph in the second or third period of the forecast. *The criteria varies from region to region.

Wind Chill Warning Issued when wind chills will drop to minus 15 degrees or lower with wind speeds of at least 5 mph in the first, second, or occasionally third period of the forecast. *The criteria varies from region to region.

Wind Chill Advisory Issued for wind chills of zero degrees to minus 14 degrees with wind speeds of at least 5mph in the first, second, or occasionally third period of the forecast.

Freeze Watch Issued for a 50 percent or greater probability of temperatures dropping to 32 degrees or lower within the next 24 to 48 hours during the growing season.

Freeze Warning Issued when temperatures are expected to drop to 32 degrees or lower within 36 hours during the growing season.

Frost Advisory Issued when temperatures are expected to drop to 33 to 36 degrees and frost (areas to widespread) is expected to develop within 36 hours during the growing season.

Freezing Fog Advisory Issued for very light ice accumulation from persistent freezing fog when expected within the first, second, or occasionally third periods.>

Dense Fog Advisory Issued for widespread fog reducing the visibility to 1/4 mile or less when expected in the first, second, or occasionally third periods.

Dense Smoke Advisory Issued for widespread or localized smoke that reduces the visibility to 1/4 mile or less.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued when there is an increased potential for severe thunderstorms that may produce hail ¾ inch or greater, and/or damaging wind of 58 mph or greater.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning A severe thunderstorm warning means that a thunderstorm is producing, or expected to produce >58 mph wind gusts or hail ¾ inch or greater.

Tornado Watch A tornado watch is issued when there is the potential for three or more tornadoes, or any tornado that could produce f2 damage or greater, within the watch area.

Tornado Warning Issued when there is radar indication of a tornado, or a tornado that is observed by a reliable/trained source.

Severe Weather Statement Severe weather statements are issued to provide follow-up information on Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado warnings.

Hurricane Watch Hurricane conditions (sustained winds at least 74 mph) are possible within 36-48 hours.

Hurricane Warning Hurricane conditions (sustained winds at least 74 mph) are expected within 24-36 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds 39-73 mph) are possible within 36-48 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds 39-74 mph) are expected within 24-36 hours.

Inland Hurricane Watch Issued for non-coastal counties when there is a 50 percent or greater probability of experiencing hurricane force winds (sustained winds at least 74 mph).

Inland Hurricane Warning Issued for non-coastal counties when hurricane force winds (sustained winds at least 74 mph) are expected.

Inland Tropical Storm Watch Issued for non-coastal counties when there is a 50 percent or greater probability of experiencing tropical storm force winds (sustained winds 39-74 mph).

Inland Tropical Storm Warning Issued for non-coastal counties when tropical storm force winds (sustained winds 39-74 mph) are expected.

Hurricane Local Statement Issued when there is a Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch or Warning in effect for an area to provide specific information about a storm’s impacts.

Lake Wind Advisory Issued for the large lakes for sustained winds of 22 to 34 kt (25 to 39 mph) for 1 hour or more and/or wind gusts of 35 to 49 kt (40 to 57 mph) for any duration.

High Wind Watch Issued when there is a 50% or greater probability of experiencing sustained gradient winds 40 mph or greater for one hour or more, or non-thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph or greater for any duration in the second or third forecast period.

High Wind Warning Issued for sustained gradient winds 40 mph or greater for one hour or more, or non-thunderstorm wing gusts of 58 mph or greater for any duration expected in the first or second forecast periods.

Wind Advisory Issued for sustained gradient winds of 31 to 39 mph for one hour or more, or gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration in the first or second forecast periods.

Special Weather Statement Issued for a variety of weather hazards though it is most commonly used to describe short term weather conditions that are potentially hazardous.

Rip Currents Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves. More Information