textproduct: NWS Wilmington

WHAT HAS CHANGED

18z aviation discussion below.

KEY MESSAGES

1) Warm and muggy through middle of next week. Nighttime fog may be dense each day, with periods of dense sea fog.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1...Warm and muggy through middle of next week. Nighttime fog may be dense each day, with periods of dense sea fog.

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION... Persistent forecast in play through most of next week courtesy of Bermuda high pressure providing continued advection of warm, moist air. Well above normal temperatures, with inland temps in the low 80s into the middle of next week, with afternoon sea breeze keeping the immediate coastline in the low to mid 70s. Low temps each night around 60F. Forecast remains dry through Saturday due to ridging aloft. Afternoon thunderstorms will be possible Sunday through Tuesday, due to daytime heating and sea breeze, as the mid-level ridge flattens and subsidence weakens.

Dense fog will be possible each night and morning into next week due to dewpoints in the 60s and high pressure keeping winds relatively light. High dewpoints will also contribute to periods dense sea fog over the coastal waters each day into next week, which will impact navigation and may move onshore and impact coastal areas.

AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Predominantly VFR into this evening. Persistence forecast, with plenty of low level moisture, will lead to another night with low visibilities across the area. Currently forecasting LIFR-IFR conditions to develop by sunrise Saturday. Conditions will improve slowly after sunrise, with widespread VFR returning by late morning to midday. South-southwest winds 10 kts or less in place through tomorrow, with calm winds tonight.

Extended Forecast...VFR conditions are expected for much of the daytime period into next week, but periods of fog could bring late night/early morning restrictions and sea fog could advect into the Grand Strand terminals through early next week.

MARINE

Through Saturday...Light southerly winds and seas 2-3 ft remain in place through Saturday with Bermuda high pressure dominating the forecast. Seas primarily a ESE 10 sec swell. The main concern for local coastal waters is the continued potential for periods of dense sea fog.

Saturday Night through Wednesday...Sub-SCA conditions will continue through the first half of next week with Bermuda high pressure maintaining its position off to the east. Previous forecast remains on track over this time period, with winds averaging 10-15 kt out of the S to SW, and seas consistently 2-4 ft, a large contribution of which is 9-10 second SE swell. Sea fog will remain a concern with high dewpoint air flowing over cooler waters, and will be handled with Dense Fog Advisories as visibilities fall below 1 NM at times.

ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NC...None. SC...None. MARINE...None.