Memorial Day weekend brings rain, wind and flood watch to Wilmington area

As a coastal low pressure system brought scattered showers and heavy winds, New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties remained under a flood watch Saturday.

Rain began Friday and continued through the evening and all day Saturday, dampening Memorial Day weekend in the Cape Fear. The storm is expected to taper off Sunday.

According to the National Weather Service, many in the tri-county area saw between 1 to 1.5 inches of rain Saturday. As of Saturday afternoon, no local law enforcement agencies had reported major flooding. The area remains in a flood watch until 9 p.m.

More:Check our storm tracker for the latest updates

As the storm moved onshore Saturday morning, the National Weather Service placed the area under a flood watch, with the areas closest to the coast at moderate risk for rapid onset flooding.

Instead of welcoming beachgoers with sunny skies and calm waters, the beaches in New Hanover and Pender counties were under a high surf advisory Saturday. Issued by the National Weather Service, a high surf advisory warns coastal communities of large waves and dangerous swimming conditions.

According to the advisory, beaches in New Hanover and Pender counties are seeing seven- to 10-foot tall breaking waves and dangerous rip currents Saturday. Wave activity at those beaches is expected to contribute to beach erosion and could damage property along the immediate shoreline. The advisory is in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday.

Inland New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties saw cloudy skies, rain showers and high winds Saturday, which are expected to continue through the evening.

While Saturday's anticipated high was 70 degrees, temperatures remained in the low and mid 60s, according to the National Weather Service. Winds blew to the northeast at 18 to 22 mph, with gusts up to 33 mph in Wilmington.

Related:What rising sea levels mean for where and how we live along the NC coast

While the rainfall between Friday and Saturday was predicted to total eight inches near the coast and four inches inland, the area saw just 1-1.5 inches of rain, according to the National Weather service.

Sunday's forecast calls for a 60% chance of showers in the early morning and a 30% chance of rain after 8 a.m. Sunday could also see wind, with gusts around 18 mph. The high is 75 degrees and the low is 63 degrees.

The storm is predicted to fully pass by Memorial Day -- with partly sunny conditions expected to return Monday. The high is 80 degrees with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms through the day.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November.

Reach reporter Jamey Cross at jbcross@gannett.com.