Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wilmington, NC

Current Version | Previous Version | Graphics & Text | Print | Product List | Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
000 FXUS62 KILM 222333 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 733 PM EDT Mon Apr 22 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will move offshore and allow for a gradual warmup until a back door cold front arrives Wednesday night. High pressure then builds from the north Thursday, retreating on Friday. && .UPDATE...
-- Changed Discussion --
A slight uptick in the concern for a bit of frost mainly in the more favored areas via the radiational conditions/application. This led to adding patchy frost to mainly northern Pender County at least for now. With minimal drying today and the development of a considerable cumulus field earlier, wouldn`t be surprised if fog developed limiting any frosty concerns.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... Mid/upper trough axis is passing overhead this afternoon. Low-level moisture is exiting to the east, with dry air being ushered in by a deep layer of NW flow. Once this afternoons residual cloud cover dissipates, overnight and Tuesday will be mainly clear, with winds becoming light and variable as the surface ridge moves to the coast. Winds inland stand a good chance of decoupling inland late tonight, and this should lead to temps falling into the upper 30s in low-lying areas. Would not be surprised if some of those typically colder spots have a few patches of frost before sunrise Tuesday. Coastal zones should continue to stir with a few kts of wind overnight, but temps still likely to fall to around 40 there. Tuesday will be mostly sunny, and with high pressure centered just south of the area, temps will rebound back to around 70. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... High pressure moving off the coast will allow us to emerge from the cool pattern as southerly winds allow for a return to more normal temperatures. Some guidance is showing some very light rain Wed and/or Wed night but dewpoint depressions look too large Wed for this to be possible esp given the weakness of the forcing. Perhaps some small POPs will be warranted Wednesday night in future forecasts but will stay dry at this time. d discussion here. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... High pressure wedges in from the north on Thursday though there is some spread regarding how far south it gets, farther meaning more cooling locally. Given that the downstream mid level trough is fairly weak the less aggressive solutions appear more accurate. The mid level ridge progresses east and moves overhead for Friday and the weekend meaning generally warm and rain-free conditions. A cold front approaches on Monday but it`s progress appears to be halted by the ridge. && .AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
VFR conditions expected through the period. Some concern for fog development later via the drop off in winds and the cumulus field that developed this afternoon. This at times...although not exacting can be a signal for development. Will monitor closely. Extended Outlook...VFR through Wednesday. There is a low probability of MVFR ceilings Wednesday night and Thursday associated with the next cold front.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .MARINE... Through Tuesday: Seas will subside and winds diminish through the period, as surface high pressure shifts from the inland Carolinas to off the SE coast by Tuesday afternoon. Early afternoon obs from buoy 41013 continue to show gusts of 25-30 kt and 7 ft seas, so although conditions should improve by early evening, am planning to maintain the Small Craft Advisory with the afternoon forecast package. On Tuesday morning, the ridge axis looks to still be west of the waters, which would result in a northerly wind component, however during the afternoon, the high will move eastward allowing winds to swing around to the ESE. Seas will be dominated by a 2-4 ft ENE swell around 9-10 sec. Tuesday through Saturday... HIgh pressure offshore will bring SW winds locally until a backdoor cold front moves through Wednesday night. Winds veer to NE behind this boundary which may steepen wave faces especially if the E swell continues to abate. Late in the period as the high both retreats and moves east flow will gradually turn ashore and then to the SE, generally capped in the 10-15 kt range. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ106- 108. Coastal Flood Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for NCZ107. SC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ056. MARINE...None.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ SYNOPSIS...ILM UPDATE...SHK/CRM NEAR TERM...CRM SHORT TERM...MBB LONG TERM...MBB AVIATION...SHK MARINE...ILM

USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state and local government web resources and services.