What to know when visiting Wilmington-area beaches in October

Although Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of fall, that doesn't mean a sudden drop in people enjoying area beaches.

While temperatures aren't as consistently warm as in the summer months, it's typically warm enough to take in the ocean and put your feet in the water without concern of being too cold.

Here's more to know about Wilmington-area beaches in October.

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Weather

The beaches are affected by the weather just like anywhere is, but have some key vulnerabilities that inland areas don't experience. These vulnerabilities normally develop during storms and include impacts from large waves, beach erosion, storm surge, and a tendency for higher wind speeds given the large open expanse of ocean adjacent to the beaches.

One positive of beach weather is that daily temperature ranges are usually smaller than is experienced farther inland: high temperatures are cooler and low temperatures are warmer due to the moderating influence of the ocean.

Even when a storm isn't occurring, larger tidal ranges that naturally occur during a full or new moon can sometimes create coastal flooding after the summer months.

In September during a full moon, while the weather was otherwise calm, there was some flooding in Carolina Beach.

Speaking of weather... yes, hurricanes

Hurricane season continues throughout October and into November.  Even though September has historically had the most number of impacts from tropical systems on the Cape Fear area beaches, October has brought storms even in recent history, including Tropical Storm Michael on Oct. 11, 2018, and Hurricane Matthew on October 8, 2016. In 2020 the remnants of two hurricanes brought impacts in October of that year: heavy rain fell and a tornado occurred in Brunswick County from the remnants of Hurricane Delta on Oct. 11.

And on October 29, 2020, the remnants of Hurricane Zeta produced wind gusts as high as 57 mph at Wrightsville Beach and 53 mph in Wilmington.

While the area's most recent tropical activity, Hurricane Ian, arrived at the end of September, some of the effects still lingered into the first of October.

Forecasts for tropical storms and hurricanes are made by the National Hurricane Center (a part of the National Weather Service) and go out five days into the future.

Lifeguards

Typically towns with ocean rescue staff will take down lifeguard stands not long after Labor Day. Outside of most New Hanover County beaches, many area beaches are without lifeguards but do have some safety personnel patrolling.

That doesn't mean there is no beach rescue presence among area beaches, however, it's not as prevalent in October.

Rip currents

The risk of rip currents can exist at any time of the year at the beaches when the right combination of winds and waves exists.  Since 2004 we've made daily calls to Wrightsville Beach lifeguards to gather surf height reports and the occurrence of rip currents.  September sees the most impact with almost one out of every five days seeing a "high" occurrence of rip currents and over half of the days seeing at least "moderate" rip currents. Rip currents become less common in October, but a high number are still reported.

The office in Wilmington produces daily forecasts of surf height and rip current risk at https://www.weather.gov/beach/ilm

Cooler air arrives in October and water temperatures begin to quickly fall.  Average water temps in early October are in the upper 70s but fall into the lower 70s by the end of the month.  Local water temperatures can be viewed at https://www.weather.gov/ilm/WaterTemp-WrightsvilleBeach.

Paid parking

Carolina Beach: Parking is currently year-round. There are multiple public parking options for visitors and residents. Town-operated lots and metered spaces are open year-round, and paid parking is in effect 8 a.m.-8 p.m. March 1-Oct. 31, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1-Feb. 28.

Holden Beach: Paid parking is enforced 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with free parking before and after that time. Details: https://holdenbeachnc.com/paid-parking-now-in-effect/.

Surf City: Paid parking runs through Oct. 31. Details: https://www.surfcitync.gov/2425/Beach-Parking.

Wrightsville Beach: Paid parking continues through October 31 except where otherwise posted. Parking rates are $5 per hour or $25 per day.  No refunds or credit for unused time will be given for inclement weather.  Please check local weather before making your purchase. For more information, please visit https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/163/Parking/.

Dogs on the beach

Carolina Beach: All dogs are required to be on a leash at all times when on the municipal beach strand. Dogs are allowed on the beach Oct. 1-March 31.

Carolina Beach State Park: Pets are welcome on the beach. Must be on a leash. 1010 State Park Road, 910-458-8206.

Freeman Park: Dogs can be off the leash Oct. 1-March 31, provided they are well trained and follow voice commands, and the owner stays close by.

Oak Island: Dogs that are leashed are permitted year-round on Oak Island beaches. Dogs are allowed off their leash Oct. 15-March 15 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. in locations marked by beach access signs.

Ocean Isle Beach: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day dogs are prohibited from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and only allowed if on a leash the rest of the time.

Sunset Beach: Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet in length at all times. times. After 6 p.m. and before 9 a.m. from the Friday immediately preceding Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are permitted on the strand if leashed and under the control of a responsible person.

Surf City: Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round, but must be on a leash at all times.

Wrightsville Beach: Dogs are allowed during the off-season, Oct. 1-March 31.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington-area beaches: Things you should know when visiting in October