Core Banks, North Carolina

Access

Islands can be reached by two vehicle ferries. One ferry crosses Core Sound from Atlantic to North Core Banks, and another crosses the sound from Davis to South Core Banks. There are no roads on the islands: vehicles use the beach and four wheel drive tracks. Passenger ferries also take tourists from Harkers Island to the Cape Lookout area at the south end of South Core Banks.

Portsmouth Island, on which Portsmouth Village stands, is a tidal island accessible from North Core Banks at most states of the tide.

History

The Cape Lookout Coast Guard Station, Cape Lookout Light Station, and Cape Lookout Village Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

The geography of the Core Banks has changed since the mid 19th century. At that time South Core Banks was connected to the Shackleford Banks. Over the years inlets have closed and opened in the barrier islands. From north to south these inlets have been Whalebone Inlet, now closed, which separated Portsmouth Island from the Core Banks, Swash Inlet (closed), Old Drum Inlet (closed in 1971 and reopened by Hurricane Irene in 2011), New Drum Inlet (opened by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1971), Ophelia Inlet (opened by Hurricane Ophelia in 2005), Cedar Inlet (closed) and Barden Inlet (opened by a hurricane in 1933, separating Shackleford Banks from South Core Banks).

From northeast to southwest, the islands are located in the Townships of Portsmouth, Atlantic, Sea Level, Stacy, Davis, Smyrna, and Harkers Island, all in Carteret County.

Climate

According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Core Banks, North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation (Cfak). Cfak climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature 32.0 °F ( 0.0 °C), at least eight months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (≥ 10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (≥ 22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Core Banks, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F (≥ 38 °C). Core Banks is prone to hurricane strikes, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season which extends from June 1 through November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September. During the winter months, episodes of cold and wind can occur with wind chill values

| Jan dew point F = 37.4 | Feb dew point F = 39.4 | Mar dew point F = 44.3 | Apr dew point F = 51.9 | May dew point F = 60.1 | Jun dew point F = 68.7 | Jul dew point F = 73.0 | Aug dew point F = 71.5 | Sep dew point F = 67.3 | Oct dew point F = 57.4 | Nov dew point F = 49.9 | Dec dew point F = 41.3 | year dew point F = 55.3

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Core Banks, North Carolina would have a dominant vegetation type of Live oak/Sea Oats Uniola paniculata (90) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20).

Gallery

File:Core Banks ferry - 2013-06 - 1.JPG|Access by ferry File:Cape Lookout Lighthouse - 2013-06 - 03.jpg|Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters. File:Cape Lookout Lighthouse view - 2013-06 - 2.JPG|View from Cape Lookout Lighthouse looking North East File:Cape Lookout Coast Guard Station - 2013-06 - 03.jpg|Cape Lookout Coast Guard Station File:Portsmouth - Methodist Church - 03.JPG|Portsmouth church File:Core Banks beach - 2013-06 - 12.JPG|Bodyboarding near Great Island cabins File:Core Banks beach - 2013-06 - 14.JPG|Surf fishing File:Core Banks vehicles - 2013-06 - 02a.JPG|Recreational vehicle customized for beach driving and surf fishing. File:Core Banks cars - 2013-06 - 1.JPG|In 1976, about 1,500 vehicles were removed from the island. Few remain. File:Core Banks shipwreck - 2013-06 - 3.JPG|Many shipwreck remains can be found on the beaches File:Cape Lookout Point - 2013-06 - 09.JPG|Confusing wave patterns at the beach at Cape Lookout point. Waves are coming from several directions. File:Core Banks - Aug 2017 - 58.jpg|Fires are allowed on the beach

References

References

1. [https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/ferry.htm Cape Lookout National Seashore: Ferry Services]
2. {{NRISref
3. David J. Mallinson. (2008). "Past, Present and Future Inlets of the Outer Banks Barrier Islands, North Carolina".
4. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070626232108/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/science/9/chap3.htm Barrier Island Ecology of Cape Lookout National Seashore, NPS Scientific Monograph No.9, Chapter 3]
5. "USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map". [[United States Department of Agriculture]].
6. "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University".
7. "Water Temperature Table of All Coastal Regions".
8. "U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)".
9. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19760625&id=m5UbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=glEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6592,5039852 The Dispatch; Jun 25, 1976]
10. Surface Interval Diving Company (SIDCO). "The 2002 and 2005 Core Banks Beach Wreck Survey(s)".