Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

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693 FXUS62 KILM 181932 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC Issued by National Weather Service Raleigh NC 332 PM EDT Tue Jun 18 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Seasonably warm conditions will continue for the next few days as high pressure sits well offshore. A warming trend begins late in the week with afternoon showers and thunderstorms for the weekend. Heat indices may reach the triple digits over the weekend. Onshore flow will bring more humid conditions by the beginning of next week with a better chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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A strong ridge overhead and elongated high pressure offshore continues to bring onshore flow. Inversion aloft will keep the area dry overnight and into Wednesday. Convergence along the coast and easterly moisture advection may bring a stray shower tomorrow afternoon. Overnight lows in the mid and upper 60s, Wednesday`s highs in the upper 80s to around 90 inland.
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&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
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A ridge over the mid-Atlantic gets nudged southward into the Mid South this period. Meanwhile, offshore surface high pressure well to the northeast drops a bit more towards the mid- Atlantic. Quiet and dry forecast this period with a gentle east- southeast wind. Highs Thursday in the lower 90s inland, mid 80s at the coast. Lows each night in the mid 60s inland, lower 70s at the coast.
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&& .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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Upper ridge gets pushed pushed further south still, aided by a series of shortwaves that exit out of the Rockies and push eastward towards the Ohio River Valley over the weekend. Meanwhile, low pressure makes its way towards the GA/SC coast Friday. Most of the moisture and energy associated with it remains well to the south of the area, and subsidence from the ridge will keep the forecast mostly dry Friday and Saturday. Exceptions are for the southern portions of the Grand Strand area, where some of that moisture may sneak up and bring a stray shower or thunderstorm to the area from offshore. Rain chances increase steadily Sunday through Tuesday, as subsidence from the ridge decreases. Diurnal convection becomes the theme initially, with an approaching cold front bringing better shower and thunderstorm chances by early next week. Perhaps the biggest story in the long term period is the heat. Afternoon heat indices climb up into the triple digits by Saturday, lasting through the end of the period. Inland areas may hit heat indices between 100-105 degrees. With it being the weekend, increased outdoor activity would be expected, so it`s important to take frequent breaks, wear loose fitting, light- colored clothing, and drink plenty of water. For more heat safety tips, head over to weather.gov/safety/heat. Be safe out there!
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&& .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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Mostly VFR for the remainder of the forecast period. Onshore flow tonight could bring a brief period of MVFR clouds along the coast, but chances are low. Onshore flow continues tomorrow with afternoon gusts approaching 20 knots. Extended Outlook... VFR.
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&& .MARINE...
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Through Wednesday...Elongated high pressure continues to produce persistent onshore flow and easterly swell. Swell has built to 3-4 feet at 7 seconds and will continue to build on Wednesday. SCA conditions may develop on Wednesday as wind waves and swell combine to frequent 6 foot seas. Wednesday Night through Saturday...Small Craft Advisory conditions possible through Thursday evening. Easterly winds at 10-15kts. From there, seas rapidly drop from 3-4ft on Friday to 2-3ft on Saturday. Easterly winds at 10kts become more southeasterly Friday night through Saturday. Easterly swell clocks in at 8-9 seconds.
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&& .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... Other - Rip Currents: A building easterly swell will maintain an elevated rip current risk for east and southeast facing beaches in our area through (at least) the end of the week. A high risk of rip currents is forecasted for Pender, New Hanover and Georgetown county beaches Wednesday through Friday, with moderate rip risk for Horry County. The south facing beaches of Brunswick county (east of Ocean Isle) will likely have strong east to west longshore currents these days due to easterly swell and winds versus strong rip currents. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ110. SC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM NEAR TERM...21 SHORT TERM...IGB LONG TERM...IGB AVIATION...21 MARINE...21/IGB TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...ILM