Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
719 FXUS62 KILM 201841 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 241 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
-- Changed Discussion --
This week will feature a warming trend. A cold front will introduce rain chances Friday that will linger into the weekend as it stalls to our west.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
A ridge axis sfc-aloft, oriented SW-NE across the Carolinas today, will transition very slowly eastward through Tuesday. Time-height cross sections show a very dry column above 800 mb, and the low- level moisture gets even shallower tomorrow. As a result, rain chances will be nil, although some stratus development will be possible late tonight. With the surface ridge remaining inland, northeast flow will continue tonight and through most of Tuesday. Lows tonight will be a couple of degrees below climo, however with more sunshine on tap, and given the positive height anomalies overhead, high temps Tuesday should reach seasonable norms of lower to mid 80s.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Winds still out of the NE Tuesday night as wedge of high pressure still sites to our north. This will bring fairly quiet weather and seasonable temperatures. A slight retreat of this high will turn winds more onshore and then southerly Wednesday bringing highs in the mid to upper 80s. The continued WAA will add about 5 degrees to Wednesday night`s lows compared to its predecessor.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Humidity will be creeping up on Thursday but zonal flow just upstream from an offshore mid level ridge should keep the area rain- free. Changes get underway on Friday as the ridge moves farther offshore and some vort-laden southwesterly flow impinges upon the area from the west. This will also drive a front towards the area. The best mid level forcing and surface boundary arrive Friday night, which appears to offer better rain chances than Friday`s daytime hours. The weekend forecast details are murky as the boundary likely stalls out in the area. It`s not that any given day late in the period looks like a washout but temperatures will hinge considerably on the uncertain placement of the boundary. At this time it appears that the boundary does not in fact push through and temperatures will remain elevated above climatology.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Surface high pressure oriented NW-SW across the NC Piedmont and upstate of SC will result in enhanced NE flow across the area the remainder of the day. The gradient will gradually weaken through the evening, and the high will shift eastward very slowly. Therefore winds will ease up overnight, however a NE or ENE trajectory will persist through the TAF period. Clouds will vary between broken and scattered through early evening before clearing out, but will remain VFR. Extended Outlook...VFR will dominate but early morning vis/cig restrictions possible each day. Also, showers/storms also possible starting Thu night. && .MARINE...
-- Changed Discussion --
Through Tuesday: Surface ridge inland is resulting in a moderate gradient across the waters. The gradient will ease up this evening into Tuesday as the high slowly transitions eastward, and winds will begin to veer from NE to E by late Tuesday. Tuesday night through Saturday... High pressure still nosing in from the NE at the start of the period keeping winds NE to E and quite light, generally capped at 10kt. A light southerly component develops on Wednesday as the ridge axis retreats to the N. The remainder of the period will feature a SW wind that will become more and more typical as we head further into the warm season as the Bermuda high establishes increasing semi-permanence.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ108. SC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ056. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM NEAR TERM...CRM SHORT TERM...MBB LONG TERM...MBB AVIATION...CRM MARINE...