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Sound vs Ocean in March

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Sound vs Ocean in March
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My family is hoping to travel to OBX over spring break the last week of March. Would an oceanfront house have more cold and wind vs a house on the sound? I would like to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view and be semi-comfortable without too much cold wind. Is there much of a difference with wind and temp between ocean and sound? We are looking in the Hatteras Island area.

Thanks in advance!

New Kent, Virginia
Destination Expert
for Virginia, Outer Banks
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1,624 posts
1 review
1. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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Hard to predict. You might have a beautiful day without much wind, and warm enough to walk the beach barefoot, and the next day rainy and cold and windy. Generally the sound had a gentler wind than the Oceanside, but once again that depends. March is so variable.

Chapel Hill, North...
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15,396 posts
37 reviews
16 helpful votes
2. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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Some houses you can have a view both ways!

South Mills, North...
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25 reviews
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3. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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I would recommend a Soundfront home rather than Oceanfront as you will get more wind coming off the ocean than the sound at that time of year. I work with homes from Corolla to Nags Head so can't attest to the soundfront experience further south in Hatteras.

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1 post
95 reviews
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4. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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The wind switches direction often this time of year. One day it'll blow east, the next west...you might want to look into staying between the highways, but if you're really worried about the cold wind, stay soundside.

Kitty Hawk, North...
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for Outer Banks
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138 reviews
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5. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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March often has pretty windy days and it is predominantly from NE and comes in over the ocean which is cold that time of year. It's not as bad a February. That is the easy answer, but it can change a lot so it's hard to really predict. March can also be rainy with days of rain too.

Outer Banks, North...
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45 reviews
26 helpful votes
6. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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My suggestion, since you're planning to stay on Hatteras, is to look up some maps with distances marked from one side of the island to the other. *Most* of Hatteras island is very narrow! In some parts, you may only be talking about a difference of 40 or 50 feet from the sound to the ocean! I know there is more than one rental house there with unobstructed views of both the sound and ocean!

That said, it's not going to make a ton of difference which side you stay on when it comes to wind. It's always windy here on the OBX. A slight difference has been noted, and I agree with that. But usually March still has just a bit of that winter nip in the air. You're likely to need at least a sweatshirt a lot of the time, either place.

I think NOAA's or the different weather channels' websites have charts of average temps here by month by town, should you want to check those out.

Wherever you land, have a fantastic time! :) And welcome (or welcome back)!

2 posts
7. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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Thank you everyone for your responses! We are still looking at our options so all this info is very helpful!

Warren, Pennsylvania
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464 reviews
220 helpful votes
8. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March
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Depending upon just where you will be staying on the island, you won't be far from either the sound or the ocean. You might be able to locate a place with balconies facing both east and west so you could enjoy the sunrises and the sunsets. There shouldn't be much difference in the wind or the temp. Go online and give somebody down there a call and ask.

9. Re: Sound vs Ocean in March

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