Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

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352 FXUS62 KILM 200444 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 1244 AM EDT Mon May 20 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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High pressure and drier air will move into the area to start off the work week. Temperatures warm through mid week with rain chances not returning until late Thursday into the weekend.
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&& .UPDATE...
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No big changes with the latest update. Main near term concern is the threat for low clouds moving in from the northeast through around daybreak. Low-level winds should remain a bit too strong for much fog but can`t rule out some, mainly in sheltered rural locales.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/... Other than the potential for lingering showers into the evening, mainly southern areas, the big question for the near term is when clouds will depart/dissipate. Forecast shows improving skies tonight into Monday but it should be noted that abundant moisture trapped below an inversion in the low levels could delay this process into Monday. Lows tonight should fall to the upper 50s to lower 60s with highs Monday in the upper 70s to lower 80s. && .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... Dry weather continues for the duration of this period as sfc high pressure over the Carolinas gradually shifts east and offshore through the week, with weak mid-level ridging in place. This will allow for increasing temps each day...highs mainly in the low 80s Tuesday rising to around 90 by Thursday. Otherwise, expect daily sea breezes with skies averaging mostly sunny/clear. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... Low chances for rain return with shortwave energy passing through the fairly zonal flow aloft. Daily sea breeze will also aid in afternoon convection with a warm and moist airmass in place. PoPs are consistent each day (20-40%) with the fairly stagnant pattern in place. Some guidance (e.g. 12Z ECMWF) even keeps it dry most days with shortwave energy staying just off to the north. Temps remain slightly above normal with highs averaging in the mid/upr 80s. && .AVIATION /06Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
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Generally VFR to start the 06Z TAF period across SE NC and NE SC. Still leaning toward VFR at all 5 TAF sites through the period with high pressure in control, although some low-level moisture will be present so can`t rule out MVFR cigs, especially at KILM around daybreak. Extended Outlook...VFR will dominate with early morning vis or cig restrictions possible each day.
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&& .MARINE... Through Monday...Expect NE winds of 10 to 15 KT tonight and Monday with 20 KT possible nearer 20 NM on Monday. Seas will generally run 2 to 4 FT through the period, though 2 footers will be confined to areas sheltered from NE flow Monday. Monday Night through Friday...Sub-SCA conditions will continue. Sfc high pressure over the Carolinas slowly slides farther offshore through the week, with southerly flow becoming established Wednesday afternoon through Friday, no higher than 10-15 kt. After 2-4 ft seas Monday night, expect only 1-3 ft heights with a weak ESE 9-10 second swell component for the remainder of the week. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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NC...Beach Hazards Statement from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening for NCZ108. SC...Beach Hazards Statement from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening for SCZ056. MARINE...None.
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&& $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM UPDATE...RJB/31 NEAR TERM...31 SHORT TERM...MAS LONG TERM...MAS AVIATION...RJB MARINE...MAS/31