


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC
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051 FXUS62 KILM 291814 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 214 PM EDT Fri Aug 29 2025 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will bring dry weather through tonight. A weak cold front will move through Saturday before stalling offshore through mid next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... Latest surface analysis shows a weak cold front sinking into Appalachia, while modest high pressure continues to have a hold upon the sensible weather across the coastal Carolinas. A cumulus deck has popped up within the last couple of hours at 5000-6000 ft, allowing for a picturesque day. This cumulus will gradually thin out by this evening, allowing for mostly clear skies to kick off the night. However, an upper shortwave comes in from the west after midnight tonight, bringing in some scattered cloud cover with it (mostly cirrus). This keeps tonight`s lows from getting quite as low as last night. Lows generally in the mid-to-upper 60s, about 2-4 degrees warmer than the previous night. The aforementioned weak frontal system will slowly drop southward into the local forecast area Saturday, and may stall out just south of I-95. This front is being "pushed" (such that it is) by some extra shortwave energy aloft, which is part of a broad upper low spinning up in Quebec. Heights drop very slightly, and there`s a little bit more forcing in place than what we`ve seen today. As a result, there is a slight chance of showers that builds by midday and into the afternoon, with the front itself and the weak seabreeze being the trigger points. Overall, moisture is not impressive with this front, so the activity is expected to be isolated to scattered at best. Even the instability is lacking, and while a few rumbles of thunder cannot be ruled out, frequent lightning is not expected. Highs Saturday generally in the low-mid 80s. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... A frontal boundary resides offshore this period as weak waves of low pressure form along the front. The front`s close proximity in conjunction with cyclonic flow aloft will allow for a low chance of rain over coastal areas and moreso over the coastal waters. With NE flow and slightly below normal temps (highs in the low 80s Sunday), not anticipating any strong storms. By Sunday night, temps as low as the upr 50s are possible in the typical colder spots with low/mid 60s likely elsewhere. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Sfc high pressure anchors north of the area Monday/Tuesday leading to mainly dry weather (PoPs aob 20%) and slightly below normal temps (highs in the low 80s). The upr-level trough over the eastern CONUS further digs midweek with increasing onshore moist low-level flow allowing for better rain chances...30-40% Wednesday/Thursday...before a slight drying trend later in the week. So the general theme of the week is frequent low/moderate chances for rain esp. towards the coast and marine area with continued slightly below normal temps. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... High confidence in VFR through the 18Z TAF period. Variable to westerly winds at 5-9 kts expected this afternoon, while a SCT to BKN cumulus deck at 5000-6000 ft lingers over the area. A weak seabreeze will try to veer the winds to the southeast at KCRE and KMYR, and perhaps KILM as well. Winds calm after sunset this evening while the diurnal cumulus dissolves. Late tonight, more high clouds come in from the west. ESE winds build in towards the end of the TAF period, while a weak front may bring in a few isolated showers by midday. Very little confidence in SHRA hitting a specific terminal, so I went with VCSH by 16Z. Extended Outlook...Flight restrictions are possible in isolated SHRA or TSRA Saturday afternoon/evening, though confidence is low. These chances modestly increase everyday through next Wednesday, with scattered SHRA and TSRA possible each afternoon, especially closer to the coast. && .MARINE... Through Saturday...Southwesterly winds at 10 kts become more light and variable by tonight, before becoming southeasterly at 10-15 kts by Saturday afternoon. Seas linger at 1-2 ft. Saturday Night through Wednesday...A frontal boundary remains well offshore as sfc high pressure builds north of the area. The increasing NE flow over warm waters will lead to around a 50% chance of SCA conditions Sunday night/Monday, from both seas up to 6 ft and gust to 25 kt. As the high weakens its influence thereafter through midweek, winds will similarly weaken, but only slightly and while continuing out of the NE. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM NEAR TERM...IGB SHORT TERM...MAS LONG TERM...MAS AVIATION...IGB MARINE...MAS/IGB