Cape Hatteras

Cape Hatteras is a prominent cape located at a sharp bend in Hatteras Island. This island is one of several barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

These islands arch out into the Atlantic Ocean and then curve back toward the mainland. This shape creates sheltered lagoons and estuaries. The cape sits at the location where two great ocean basins meet. It is also the nearest landmass on the North American mainland to Bermuda. The landscape is a temperate barrier island system. It is shaped by the constant force of wind, waves, and storms. You will find sand dunes, marshes, maritime forests, and long beaches here.

The geography of the area creates a very dangerous environment for maritime travel. Off the coast, a bank of shifting sand ridges exists beneath the turbulent sea. These ridges are known as Diamond Shoals. Because of these shoals, storms, and shallow waters, the area is called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic."

Over 600 ships have wrecked in these waters due to storms, war, or the shoals. For 400 years, this region has claimed many lives. However, local villagers have historically worked to save mariners. Since the 1870s, villagers have served in the United States Life-Saving Service. Others have worked in lighthouses to help guide ships safely through the dangerous waters.

The climate at Cape Hatteras is classified as humid subtropical.

This means the area has long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The proximity to the surrounding water moderates the temperature. This makes summers cooler and winters warmer than inland North Carolina. The area falls into USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9. The cape is also the northern limit for tropical fauna. Summer days are often hot with brief, intense thundershowers. Temperatures above 90 °F are rare, averaging only 2.3 days per year. In January, the average daily high is 54 °F. The growing season lasts for 283 days.

Precipitation is a major feature of the local weather patterns.

Cape Hatteras is the wettest coastal location in North Carolina. Most precipitation falls as rain, and it is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. September is typically the wettest month. This is due to summer thunderstorms and tropical weather systems. These systems include hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions. These storms often bring heavy or torrential rains from August to October. Because of its exposed position, the cape is at very high risk for hurricane damage. It is one of the most frequently struck areas by hurricanes on the U.S. eastern seaboard.

Storms can physically change the shape of the land.

Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was particularly devastating to the Outer Banks. The storm was so powerful that it split Hatteras Island into two pieces. It created a new inlet between the towns of Frisco and Hatteras. This destroyed the NC 12 highway, which connects Nags Head to the island. Students had to use a ferry to reach their schools. The Army Corps of Engineers eventually filled the inlet with sand. This process took nearly two months to complete. After the fill, workers rebuilt the road, water, and electrical lines.

The history of the area is tied to its name and its landmarks. The name Hatteras comes from the Hatteras Indians. In 1585, Sir Richard Grenville named a nearby inlet "Hatrask." This name was later modified to "Hatteras." The first lighthouse was built in 1803. The current Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built in 1870. It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States.

In 1999, the 4,830-ton lighthouse had to be moved. The receding shoreline had come too close to the structure. It was moved inland by 2,900 feet to a safe distance. Other historic sites include the USS Monitor and several shipwrecks. These are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the region is a place for both residents and visitors. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects parts of Bodie Island, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island.

Visitors can explore nature trails, campgrounds, and lighthouses. The community of Buxton is the largest on Hatteras Island. It sits at the widest part of the island. Buxton contains the local schools and governmental offices. The area is also recognized for its natural beauty. Several organizations have named it one of the top beaches in the United States.