The weather system Arthur was upgraded to a hurricane early this morning, Thursday, July 3, and is forecast to move past the North Carolina Outer Banks tonight.

Hurricane watches and warnings, along with tropical storm watches and warnings, remain in effect from southeast Virginia to South Carolina.

In addition to coastal flooding, dangerous rip currents will impact much of the East Coast through this weekend due to Hurricane Arthur.

In Lincoln County, Thursday will be partly sunny, with areas of fog this morning. There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms are expected, mainly this afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall this morning and afternoon. High temperatures will be in the upper 70s.

Thursday afternoon, the chance of rain climbs to 50 percent.

Thursday night will be cloudy, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall in the evening.

The Fourth of July is forecast to have showers and thunderstorms. It may be humid with highs in the mid-70s. Chance of rain is 50 percent.

For Friday night, thunderstorms are likely in the evening.

Saturday will be partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers, but less humid with highs in the mid-70s.