Why is the Water in the Outer Banks so Cold?

That is the question that has crossed many people’s lips on the Outer Banks in the last couple days. A couple days of winds out of the west have left the ocean water of the beaches of the OBX in the low 60’s. AS of this morning the Duck FRF, was showing temperatures of 61. The winds effect is known as upwelling. Upwelling occurs in the Outer Banks when the winds from the west blow the warm surface watere back and it is replaced by the colder water underneath. For a more complete explanation here is is explain by 2 scientist from NOAA.

Winds powerfully affect the oceans and are an important force in creating currents. From global circulation of entire oceans to microscopic patterns of turbulence, winds move water and its resident animals and plants in complex and interesting patterns.

When the wind blows parallel to the coastline, an intriguing and biologically important event occurs. Affected by the rotation of the earth, winds can move water at right angles to the direction the wind is blowing, a phenomenon known as the Coriolis effect. Along a coastline oriented North-South, like much of the west coast of the U.S., winds that blow from the north tend to drive ocean surface currents to the right of the wind direction, thus pushing surface waters offshore. As surface waters are pushed offshore, water is drawn from below to replace them. The upward movement of this deep, colder water is called upwelling.

Here is some great news from the Outer Banks Daredevils. Over 1,400 people attended the game, which helped set a new attendance record for the Daredevils.

The Outer Banks Daredevils rallied from a five run deficit - scoring seven unanswered runs to defeat the Petersburg Generals 7-5 in front of the largest crowd ever at First Flight Baseball Complex. More than 1,400 fans packed in the stadium to watch the exciting come-from-behind victory by the Daredevils, which included a big two run homer by Josh Whitaker (Kennesaw State) in the fifth inning.

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Just saw this over on - The OBX Team’s Blog

The OBX made Time Magazine as one of the best American Experiences.

It may stink to be a sea captain in Hatteras, but for a diver, it can be pretty great. The area is known as the graveyard of the Atlantic, and the waters just off the coast have claimed many a vessel over the years. Dozens of wrecks lie on the bottom, including wooden vessels from the 19th century, steam freighters and even a German U-boat. You need master certification to dive to many of the wrecks but not all. Some of the boats are submerged just a few feet underwater and can be reached from the beach or on a beginner-level scuba dive: try the Outer Banks Dive Center or Nags Head Diving. Kindly forward 10% of whatever treasure you find, care of me. Dives: from $75, including gear.

What beats doing a little diving while your in the OBX?

The 3rd Annual Town of Duck Jazz Festival is taking place on Sunday October 11th. This is going to be a great weekend of music in Duck. The headline act is Mr. Kim Waters. The Duck Jazz Festival is part of Mr. Waters 20th Anniversary Tour. His act alone should be reason to come out. Besides Kim Waters the music festival will include: Jackie Scott & the Housewreckers, Joe Baione, Connected, and allegedly Joe Mapp & The Coordinates featuring the Outer Banks own Laura Martier.

This is going to be a fun-filled weekend in Duck and throughout the Outer Banks. Need a hotel for the night? Check out the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk or The Sanderling Inn, both are quite close to Duck, with the Sanderling being the closest.

Here’s a taste of the artist for the Duck Jazz Festival…

Kim Waters

Joe Baione

I know it is a bit late, but it has been a busy summer. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the fireworks but luckily someone did and put a video up. Below are 2 videos on the 4th of July Fireworks. Thanks to Keepertom, for posting the videos.

4th of July OBX Fireworks

OBX Fireworks 2009 Grand Finale

Come on out Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m at the Whalehead Club in Heritage Park. Celebrate the interesting world of wines! From connoisseurs to neophytes, this is for all!

Enjoy wine tasting and entertainment under the tents on the north lawn of Currituck Heritage Park. Admission is only $20 for adults and allows you to sample wines from North Carolina and the world. With admission you will also receive your souvenir glass. While your here take a complimentary tour of the Whalehead Club, listen to popular local musical artists perform on the stage, and sample great local food from vendors. Children and leashed pets are definitely welcome. Admission to taste the wines is $20 - parking free.

For more information call 252-453-9040.

This is a great look at what is happening on the National Seashore. This is just the intro to the post, definitely read the whole thing. He makes some great points. Follow OBRevealed on Twitter or visit his website.

I first heard whispers of trouble at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore a few years back. This was further brought to my attention when a Hatteras resident put this story on Outer Banks Revealed. I didn’t know much about it, except for what I read, and I found it very confounding. Not having seen the exact impact of Judge Terrence W. Boyle’s decree, I imagined it was little more then an extension of what I had seen in the past. You see, the development where our house in Salvo is located abuts the Cape Hatteras National Seashore for the 15 miles it runs from Salvo to Avon. In the past, I had seen areas fenced off to protect nesting birds and turtles that had come ashore to lay their eggs. I imagined the latest “settlement” to be little more than an extension of this. I have struggled mightily about whether or not to write anything, as I have tried to keep Outer Banks Revealed apolitical and more family oriented, but the details of this case have haunted me since our most recent trip to the Outer Banks. If you stay in the northern part of the Outer Banks, you are probably totally unaware of the issue. If, however, you stay in Hatteras or Ocracoke, you’ve been affected.
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Here is an excellent video on the Outer Banks Sand Sculpture Festival. If you are unfamiliar the festival is to benefit the Outer Banks Hospital Cancer Resource Center and was to raise awareness about skin cancer. The festival was held r Kitty Hawk Kites and is definitely an amazing thing to see. Check out the time lapse video below, to see it unfold in a minute and a half instead of hours and hours.

Additional information on the festival: The event was a benefit to benefit the Outer Banks Hospital Cancer Resource center and to raise awareness about skin cancer prevention. Thanks to Kitty Hawk Sports, Peace Frogs, Panama Jack, Gateway Bank, OBX, Sunny Day magazine,OBTV, Beach 104 radio, and Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Shopping Center for their support. A special thanks to Outer Banks TV, OBTV, for producing this cool video time lapse and also being a sponsor. In addition Gateway Bank was a sponsor of the first kids sculpturing contest. The Outer Banks Sandsculpture Festival is an annual event. Come check it out.

Outer Banks Sand Sculpture Festival

Well the weather forecast is predicting this will be an amazing weekend in the Outer Banks. Let’s hope so. We are due for some sun and fun.

This is an excellent opportunity to buy a home in Southern Shores at $100,000 below tax value. This opportunity won’t last. Are you ready to schedule to viewing today? From ocean views to a back yard pool enjoy the paradise that is the Outer Banks from this amazing home.

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