Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

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717 FXUS62 KILM 271955 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 355 PM EDT Mon May 27 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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An approaching cold front will enhance thunderstorms through this evening. Mostly dry weather is expected to commence from Tuesday onward as the front pushes offshore after stalling through mid-week. Relatively cool and dry high pressure should remain in control late week going into this upcoming weekend.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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Strong to severe thunderstorms should move across the Carolinas into this evening. SPC has area outlined in slight risk (level 2 of 5). Greatest threat would be strong winds and hail, but can not rule out a tornado. Earlier convection cleared the coast with a break in convection this afternoon, but atmosphere remains unstable with very warm and moist conditions. Gusty S-SW will continue into early eve in tightened gradient ahead of an approaching cold front. Looking at convective parameters and model soundings, looks like greatest potential for strong to severe convection will be into this evening, probably 7p to midnight. Pcp water increases at this time up to 2 inches, especially across SC and another perturbation in the mid- levels should move through at this time which should also help to enhance the convection. The warm and humid airmass will keep temps up around 70 for lows. The cold front should move across the forecast area through Tues morning but should get hung up near the coast as sea breeze develops. This should provide additional convergence with the westerly flow behind the front meeting the onshore flow from the sea breeze. Therefore expect some convection along the coast Tues aftn before front exits the coast later in the day. Downslope flow should help push temps up around 90 again, especially inland as drier air makes its way in behind front, but afternoon convection closer to the coast should affect the temps a bit.
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&& .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
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Dry and warm weather in store for Tuesday night through Wednesday night as stalled front near the coast slowly shifts further offshore. Lows mid 60s Tuesday night. Weaker downslope flow Wednesday, but with sunny skies and late May sunshine will again push highs into upper 80s. A second, dry front is progged to move across the area from the northwest Wednesday night ushering in drier and slightly cooler air behind it. Lows in the lower 60s Wednesday night.
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&& .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
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Summertime CAA kicks in behind the front for Thursday through the end of the week. Temps drop to below normal for Thursday through Saturday along with dewpoints in the low 50s, possibly upper 40s in the afternoon. GFS continues to show a wave, albeit weaker, moving up the coast Thursday afternoon, though at this point looks better for some increased upper clouds versus any precipitation. Guidance has come into better agreement of an upper trough digging down across the Mid-Atlantic late week, moving across the Carolinas Thursday night into Friday. Given meager moisture availability, and bulk of PVA north of the area, have kept pops out of the forecast. Strong mid level ridge looks to build over the area late Friday through the weekend, with surface high pressure overhead to start the weekend before shifting offshore. Slow warming trend forecasted for next weekend, with strength of mid ridge and timing of return flow around offshore high pressure dictating the forecast for early next week.
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&& .AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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SW winds 10 to 15 kts will remain gusty out of the S-SW up to 20 to 25 kts into this evening with tightened gradient ahead of an approaching cold front. Wind direction inland will be slightly more westerly and at the coastal terminals, more S-SSW due to the sea breeze through late this aftn. Convection upstream will approach and move across the terminals into this evening. Looks like strongest convection should cross the area from west to east between 00z and 05z with some lingering shwrs into early Tues. Have included prevailing VCTS with a 4 hr Tempo group to highlight the better timing of the thunderstorm activity. Winds will diminish a bit and slowly veer to the W-SW during the pre- dawn hrs on Tues and could see some lower clouds or showers with front moving toward the coast after 14-15z. Front may get hung up close to the coast as sea breeze develops into Tues aftn with enhanced convergence with westerly flow behind front and potential for an iso thunderstorm or two. Overall, drier air should begin to makes its way in from the W-NW. Extended Outlook...Mainly dry conditions and VFR thereafter for the remainder of the work-week.
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&& .MARINE...
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Through Tuesday...A cold front approaching from the west tonight into Tues will maintain a tightened gradient flow with gusty SW winds up to 25 kts. The cold front should reach near the coast by mid-morning on Tues but should get hung up near the coast as sea breeze develops and pushes against it. The boundary should clear the coast later on Tues with winds shifting to the west behind it. The southerly push will maintain seas 3 to 4 ft, with occasional 5 footers possible especially outer waters. A slightly longer minimal southeast swell around 8 seconds will mix in. Tuesday Night through Saturday...Relatively benign marine conditions expected Tuesday night through the end of the week and into next weekend. Front stalled near the coast Tuesday night will slowly move further offshore Wednesday, before a second, dry front pushes through Wednesday night. Winds generally 10 kts or less through Thursday night, alternating between southwesterly and northwesterly. North-northeast winds develop Friday into Saturday as high pressure builds inland. Seas around 2 feet Tuesday night through Saturday, with a window of 1-2 ft seas Thursday into Friday, mix of weakening S wind wave, a weak wind chop, and a 1-2 ft SE swell.
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&& .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ106- 108. Coastal Flood Advisory from midnight tonight to 4 AM EDT Tuesday for NCZ107. SC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ054- 056. MARINE...None.
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&& $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM NEAR TERM...RGZ SHORT TERM...VAO LONG TERM...VAO AVIATION...RGZ MARINE...RGZ/VAO