Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

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736 FXUS62 KILM 061024 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 624 AM EDT Sat Jul 6 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Dangerous heat and humidity will persist today along with a better chance of showers and storms. The rainier than normal pattern should persist through most of next week as a front stalls inland with a bit of a break in the heat. && .UPDATE...
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No major changes made with the 7AM forecast update. Eyes will be on our inland counties as we heat up during the day...
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... A stalled cold front will stay to our west through the day, enhancing coverage of afternoon/evening convection near and west of I-95. At the same time, highs away from the coast are expected to reach near 100F again (with possible record highs at KLBT/KFLO), heat indices 105-110. The difficulty regarding Heat Advisory vs Excessive Heat Warning will be the effects of rain, clouds, and mixing. Opted to raise an Excessive Heat Warning for Robeson and Bladen counties where probabilities of sustained heat indices at or above 110 were highest, but it`s hard to rule out that other spots inland could briefly reach 110 as well. Perhaps this could be better evaluated with subsequent updates to the forecast later in the morning. The sea breeze will limit warming at the coast, where a Heat Advisory has not been raised. Rainfall amounts/location will also likely influence fog formation overnight, as winds should become calm roughly after midnight with mostly dry conditions. Lows in the mid 70s. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Highlights: *Bit cooler with above normal rain chances inland *No significant impacts expected Confidence: *Moderate Details: A stalled front inland along with plentiful moisture and some upper forcing will lead to higher than normal rain chances inland with coastal areas likely to miss out on most of the rain given the onshore flow/sea breeze. Temps are a bit tricky though given some uncertainty in rain/cloud coverage but should generally be near to maybe slightly above normal. Fortunately peak heat indices should stay below Heat Advisory levels (105 degrees). && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Highlights: *Hot/humid weather continues with Heat Advisories possible each day inland, mainly through Thursday *Much-needed rainfall possible, especially inland Confidence: *Moderate Details: A more unsettled pattern than normal is likely given a stalled front/trough inland while Atlantic high pressure centered to the east prevails. Severe storms will only be a low threat with localized flooding likely a slightly bigger threat. Although temps look to be held down a bit closer to normal the high dewpoints could still push heat indices above Heat Advisory levels (105-109 degrees) each afternoon away from the coast, mainly through Thursday. && .AVIATION /12Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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VFR expected for coastal terminals with MVFR and possibly IFR for inland terminals through the 12Z TAF period. SW winds will become more S this afternoon with a sea breeze moving through the coastal terminals around 15-17Z, gusts 20-25 kts. Highest chances for showers/storms are at inland terminals during the late afternoon and evening. Tried to add timing/restriction info with PROB30 but this should be able to be honed in on with later TAF updates. Mostly dry conditions expected at the coast with afternoon cu ~4kft. Restrictions in the way of fog and/or low stratus could remain at inland terminals depending on rainfall amounts/coverage. Extended Outlook...VFR is expected to prevail outside of convection. Early morning fog and low clouds are possible each morning, especially where precip falls the previous day.
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&& .MARINE... Through Tonight...Sub-SCA conditions expected. SSW winds 15-20 kts will yield a wind wave 2-3 ft at 4-5 seconds with a SE long period swell at 2 ft and 8-9 seconds. Wave heights should be 2-3 ft amidst the competing swells. Sunday through Wednesday...Atlantic high pressure will prevail with a stalled front inland. The pretty typical summertime pattern will lead to periodic higher winds, mainly each afternoon/evening due to the sea breeze and nocturnal surging. However, with winds mostly staying below 20 kt and seas mostly 3 ft or less we are not expecting any Small Craft Advisories. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...Excessive Heat Warning from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ087-096. Heat Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ099-105-107-109. SC...Heat Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ017-023-024-032-033-039-055-058-059. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM UPDATE...LEW NEAR TERM...LEW SHORT TERM...RJB LONG TERM...RJB AVIATION...LEW MARINE...RJB/LEW