800
FXUS62 KMHX 152240
AFDMHX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
640 PM EDT Tue Sep 15 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Dropped the last SCA in effect for Central Coastal Waters. Introduced
minor patchy fog to inland grids in early morning hours
tomorrow. Updated Aviation discussion.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Dry conditions and seasonable temperatures expected through
mid week with a warming trend late in the work week.

2) Unsettled weather returns over the weekend and into next
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...An upper ridge centered over the Southeast CONUS
and sfc high pressure ridging in from the north will keep dry
conditions across ENC through much of the work week. However,
upper low retrograding to the SSW across the offshore waters
Thursday into Friday may bring a few showers near the Gulf
Stream, but dry conditions expected to persist across land
areas. Gusty NEerly winds will continue until around sunset
when they will begin to ease. NE flow regime remains in place
through mid week bringing seasonable temperatures and
comfortable humidity levels, then will see gradually warming
and increasing dewpoints Thursday into Friday as high pressure
weakens and slides offshore allowing low level flow to veer to
southerly ahead of an approaching cold front.

KEY MESSAGE 2...A weak cold front will drop south into the area
Saturday and briefly stall before lifting back north as a cold
front on Sunday. Sfc convergence and lowering heights aloft as
shortwave energy rides over the upper ridge along with
increasing moisture will allow for a better chance of showers
and thunderstorms across the area over the weekend and into
early next week, especially through peak heating when
instability is greatest.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Not much change in the forecast as eastern North Carolina will
remain dry while under the influence of high pressure ridging
which will extend S`wards over the area from the Northeastern
CONUS. Primarily VFR conditions are expected through the period
as well. NE`rly winds become light/calm tonight and could allow
for patchy shallow fog development inland. Have included TEMPO
MVFR groups for ISO/PGV, but can never really count out OAJ
completely. Even if patchy fog does develop it is not
anticipated to impact operations. VFR conditions are expected
Wed with light NEerly winds and FEW- SCT diurnal CU around
FL040. Winds are expected to go light to calm over a greater
area WED night, upping the chances for fog across all TAF sites.

Outlook (Wed night through Sat): High pressure builds in
through the middle of the week with predominantly VFR and dry
conditions expected. A cold front is progged to push south into
the area over the weekend bringing increased chances of precip.

&&

.MARINE...
Current buoy obs show NE winds generally 10-15kt inside, 15-20kt
with some slightly higher gusts outside. Seas generally
3-4ft@7-8sec predominant periods save for Crystal Coast
nearshore waters where choppier conditions are evident. Have
dropped last remaining SCA for central coastal waters with
Diamond Shoals showing seas falling faster than previously
forecast.

Outlook (Wed through Sat): NE winds around 15 kt or less
continues on Wednesday, then will become light and veer to SE
then S on Thursday into Friday as the high to the north weakens.
A cold front is expected to drop into the area Saturday and
briefly stall bringing light and variable winds across the
waters. Lingering 6 ft seas across the central waters are
expected to drop below SCA criteria by late Wednesday, if not
sooner. Seas around 3-5 ft continues Thursday, then subsides to
2-4 ft Friday into Saturday.

&&

.MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ203-
     205.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...CEB
AVIATION...CEB/RCF
MARINE...CEB