


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC
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275 FXUS62 KILM 300641 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 241 AM EDT Sat Aug 30 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A weak cold front will move through today followed by high pressure building from the north. A storm system could impact the area mid next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Mid to upper trough will push a weak front southward through the area as high pressure builds down behind it through today. At the same time, a coastal trough to the south will help to turn winds around to the east and will spread moisture northward and hold up the front. The increasing moisture and convergence along weak front tis afternoon will be enhanced a bit by shortwave energy this aftn. Expect iso to scattered shwrs or thunderstorms this aftn. This front should linger along the coast or nearby as weak low pressure develops along the coast to our south as shortwave rides by moving off the coast overnight. This should leave a a few shwrs or tstms around into tonight mainly along and off the coast where moisture and better forcing exist. Pcp water values will be up over 1.5 inches along and south of the boundary and where low develops off the Southeast coast. Looks like some drier air will build in behind the front as high pressure exerts itself from the north. Pcp water values may drop back down near an inch across inland North and South Carolina. Temps will remain below normal with highs in the low to mid 80s, generally lower heading south into South Carolina where clouds will be more widespread. Very light and variable winds this morning will become more onshore through this afternoon. Lows tonight will be in the mid 60s. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Key Messages/Highlights: *Near to below normal rain chances *No severe storms or flash flooding expected *Below normal temps Confidence: *Moderate to High Details: No major changes from the previous forecast. High pressure will remain centered to the north with a stalled front well offshore. This will keep a pretty good moisture contrast across the area from the coastal areas where there is the best chance for showers compared to areas farther inland. Locations near and west of I-95 may not see any rainfall during this period. Instability looks minimal so we removed mention of thunder. Temps will stay below normal with highs generally in the lower 80s and lows generally in the lower to mid 60s. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Key Messages/Highlights: *Near to below normal rain chances early in the week; possibly above normal starting Wed *Very low risk for severe storms/flash flooding starting Wed *Mainly below normal temps Confidence: *Thru Tue Night: Moderate to High *Wed thru Fri: Moderate Details: A broad upper trough looks to remain in place over the eastern U.S. while surface high pressure remains centered to our north thru Tue night. Beyond then the forecast becomes more tricky as much depends on the potential for low pressure to the south to track over or near the area. This pattern should keep coastal areas more wet than inland areas through Tue night before all areas potentially see some rain starting Wed. Another cold front could approach late week. Temps will be below normal for the most part, although could get back closer to normal starting Thu. && .AVIATION /06Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... VFR conditions are expected through much of the period. Expect ISO to SCT SHRA with a small possibility of a TSRA mainly after 19-20z as weak front drops through the area and moisture streams back into the area. Included Prob30 to indicate small chc of MVFR ceilings and/or vsbys due to SHRA or TSRA. Winds will be light and variable before becoming E-SE through this aftn. Extended Outlook...Flight restrictions are possible in lingering, mainly iso SHRA or TSRA Saturday 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 tonight...Weak southwesterly return flow will become more variable early this morning before becoming onshore, E-SE through this aftn, remaining 5 to 10 kts. Seas will remain 2ft or less. Sunday through Wednesday...High pressure will remain centered to the north through Tue night while low pressure offshore develops and moves off to the northeast early in the week. The tight pressure gradient between the high and low will lead to elevated winds/seas which will near Small Craft Advisory levels (25 kt and 6 ft) starting Sun and become more likely Sun night through Mon. Although SCA conditions are marginal tomorrow we felt compelled to issue the Advisory given the holiday weekend and drastic change in conditions from today to try to increase awareness. Another low pressure system could move over or near the area Wed. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...None. SC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM Sunday to midnight EDT Monday night for AMZ250-252-254-256. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM NEAR TERM...RGZ SHORT TERM...RJB LONG TERM...RJB AVIATION...RGZ MARINE...RJB/RGZ