Tropical Storm Fay moves away from NC coast, makes path for NYC

Tropical Storm Fay was moving away from North Carolina's coast Friday morning.

Posted 9:15 a.m. Jul 6, 2020 — Updated 8:58 a.m. Jul 10, 2020

Mike Maze, WRAL meteorologist,

and

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter

NAGS HEAD, N.C. — Tropical Storm Fay was moving away from North Carolina's coast Friday morning.

At 2 a.m., the storm was 105 miles south of Ocean City, Maryland, and 145 miles south of Cape May, New Jersey.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect from the New Jersey coast through Long Island and Connecticut, with tropical storm force winds expected there within the next 36 hours.

In North Carolina, a high rip current risk is still in place for the Outer Banks for the weekend, but all other threats are diminishing.

Tropical Storm Fay didn't stick around very long when it formed Thursday evening off the coast of North Carolina.

Some strong surf and choppy waves were seen up and down the Outer Banks area on Thursday, particularly in Nags Head. It made for an interesting day for tourists.

At the same time, it worried some business owners, who were on a little bit of an edge as they try to bounce back in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fay's behavior was well received, mostly.

Visitors trying to catch a break from COVID-19 and everything else in the world didn’t let Tropical Storm Fay ruin their trip Thursday to the Outer Banks. Most took a cue from mother nature and went with the flow.

"We came out bright and early (Thursday) morning, and we were out for about 15 minutes so we went back, got ready and went to the outlets and then we saw the sun came out so we went back, changed clothes to get back on the beach," said Rebecca Searce, who was visiting the area from Virginia. "The moment the sun comes out, you’re like 'We've got to get back out there."

David Elder, the Ocean Rescue Supervisor at Kill Devils Hills, had his team of lifeguards on guard. They posted yellow rip current flags around the coast.

"Those yellow flags are going to go out and flag rip currents, those rip currents are going to be pulling in some locations and picking up as the day goes on and the tide rolls out," Elder said.

Elder had the cooperation of most beach goers, who road the waves of the back and forth nature of this weather system.

The weekend on the coast and for much of the state should look much better, although there is a chance for rain in our area on Saturday.

In central North Carolina, a chance of afternoon thunderstorms are again in the forecast for Friday and Saturday. Meteorologist Mike Maze said temperatures will rise dramatically on Friday, with highs at least at 93 degrees into next week.