Severe Weather Event
This page is updated when a severe weather event is predicted to impact the Bald Head Island area. If action needs to be taken, the Village will notify Islanders via the CodeRed notification system. Sign up for CodeRed (HERE).
The National Weather Service starts updating its Tropical Weather Outlook page (HERE) starting on May 15 of each year. This webpage will show any active storms in the Atlantic.
The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Seasonal Outlook has been released.
Some key points:
- The 2026 outlook forecasts below-normal activity (8-14 named storms; normal is 14). A below normal outlook can cause messaging challenges because people may misinterpret what it means for any potential local impacts. All it takes is one storm to define a hurricane season regardless of the outlook. Given southeast NC’s and northeast SC’s hurricane history our communities must prepare the same way every year.
- Regarding hurricanes, the outlook highlights 3 to 6 hurricanes (normal is 7), and 1 to 3 major (Category 3, 4, or 5) hurricanes (normal is 3).
- A key driver contributing to a less active season is the developing and intensifying El Nino. The El Nino phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) typically supports fewer tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Hurricane Basin.
- However, warmer ocean temperatures and weaker trade winds could counteract any inhibiting factors resulting from El Niño.
- Now is the time to prepare for hurricane season, and remain vigilant this summer and fall.
View a presentation of the 2026 NWS Tropical Program: Updates & Reminders HERE and the 2026 NWS Wilmington Hurricane Guide for Southeast NC & Northeast SE released on April 20, 2026, HERE.
Below is the weather briefing webpage for NWS Wilmington. It automatically updates when a new briefing is posted.