Rip current risk over holiday weekend as Hurricane Larry expected to strengthen to Category 4

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

The rip current risk off the North Carolina coast could be a hazard over the holiday weekend, when Hurricane Larry is expected to strengthen into a Category 4.

Hurricane Larry, the third major storm this Atlantic Hurricane season, strengthened into a Category 3 late Friday night, reaching maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.

Steering currents will help keep Larry off the United States coast, but North Carolina’s coast could experience some rip currents or large ocean swells.

“If you’re heading to the beaches and you see the red flags flying, stay out of the water,” said WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze.

Dangerous rip currents are expected to develop along many western Atlantic shores.

The storm could impact portions of Bermuda by mid-week next week before it steers to the northeast.

The hurricane is not expected to have a direct threat on the United States, meteorologist say.

Hurricane Larry is the fifth hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.