Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

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657 FXUS62 KILM 052358 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 758 PM EDT Sun May 5 2024 .SYNOPSIS... The area will remain between an inland trough and Atlantic high pressure with warmer than normal temperatures through mid week. A cold frontal passage will then bring cooler and drier weather for late week and this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... Low pressure over the Great Lakes and trailing front will lift off to the northeast and will help to push trough eastward as shortwave exits the coast this evening. This will combine with loss of heating. Therefore expect rain chances to diminish into tonight. A weak ridge will build up through the Southeast into early Mon and therefore expect the possibility of a few showers over the coast toward morning and possibility of fog or low clouds, mainly where rain fell, but otherwise mainly quiet overnight. Temps will remain in the mid 60s for lows most places. Expect thunderstorm activity to pick up into Mon aftn as another shortwave approaches from the west. Greatest lift and axis of moisture will be over the I-95 corridor by mid to late aftn on Mon with pcp water values up to 1.7 inches. This will shift eastward through the area into early evening. High temps for Mon will be in the low to mid 80s. Issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for minor coastal flooding along the Cape Fear River withing a couple of hours surrounding high tide this evening which will occur around 830 pm. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... Highlights: *Much above normal temps *Little to no severe storm/flood risk Confidence: *Moderate to High Details: High pressure offshore and an inland trough will prevail at the surface along with periodic weak disturbances aloft. This will keep it warm and muggy with some showers and storms at times, especially Tuesday afternoon/evening during peak heating. Temps will be on an upswing, staying well above normal, with mid to upper 60s generally each night (warmest Tuesday night) and mid to upper 80s for highs Tuesday. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Highlights: *Much above normal temps through at least Thursday; possible record high at Wilmington Wednesday *Possible elevated risk of severe storms Thursday Confidence: *Low to Moderate through Friday *Moderate to High Friday night through Sunday Details: High pressure centered offshore along with a trough inland should prevail until a cold front moves through later in the work week, although timing of this frontal passage is uncertain as the latest guidance suggests it will be earlier than previously thought. Given the mostly zonal flow aloft, there is some uncertainty regarding timing of shortwaves, and thus the rain/cloud coverage which will impact temps to some extent. Cooler and drier weather will then move in after the cold front passes later in the week and continue over the weekend. The warmest temperatures this period should be Wednesday and Thursday when they`ll be near 90 for highs. No records are expected to be reached, although could come the closest at Wilmington on Wednesday (92 degrees). Heat indices should stay mostly in the mid 90s or less so no Heat Advisories are anticipated. Temps should fall Friday as a cold front approaches, possibly even more so than currently forecast depending on the timing of the frontal passage. && .AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
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Bermuda high pressure will result in moist southerly- southwesterly flow through Monday. Afternoon convection has dissipated, and the possibility of a late night shower advecting onshore appears to be lessening. Scattered shower/tstm activity should begin to blossom inland Monday afternoon as heights fall in advance of a weak shortwave. Have included VCTS for KFLO and KLBT. Extended Outlook...Scattered convection will bring periodic visibility and ceiling restrictions Monday aftn into Tuesday. Otherwise, looking at VFR dominating late Tuesday through at least Wednesday night with limited convection. Storms should increase again later Thursday ahead of a cold front, possibly clearing for Friday depending on the frontal timing which could be a bit earlier than previously anticipated.
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&& .MARINE... Through Monday... Southerly winds will continue over the waters with S-SE winds shifting to a more S-SW direction into Mon. Sea breeze will back winds and produce increasing gusts each aftn. Seas will remain around 3 to 4 ft, dominated mainly by short period wind waves. Monday night through Friday...The local waters will remain between Atlantic high pressure and an inland trough maintaining southerly winds until a cold front moves through, possibly on Friday. Should see elevated winds/seas through the period with winds gusting to near Small Craft Advisory levels (25+ kt) at times, especially each afternoon/evening due to the sea breeze. Seas should mostly stay below 6 ft but could reach SCA levels briefly on Thursday ahead of the approaching cold front. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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NC...Coastal Flood Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for NCZ107. SC...None. MARINE...None.
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&& $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM NEAR TERM...RGZ SHORT TERM...RJB LONG TERM...RJB AVIATION...RGZ/CRM MARINE...RJB/RGZ