textproduct: NWS Wilmington

WHAT HAS CHANGED

The Storm Warning for the offshore SE NC waters has been replaced with a Gale Warning.

KEY MESSAGES

1) A developing nor'easter will bring strong northerly winds to the area, leading to prolonged dangerous marine conditions.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1... A developing nor'easter will bring strong northerly winds to the area, leading to prolonged hazardous marine conditions.

The cold front is well offshore with the developing nor'easter now resolving much farther east than previously forecast. Our last bit of rain/drizzle is near I-95 which will make it's way to the coast through the rest of the afternoon. Clearing and dry conditions will be in place by tonight. This has lead to a decrease in the wind forecast that will mainly impact marine headlines. For marine impacts, see the marine discussion below.

Low temperatures will remain below normal but warm enough to where frost formation is not expected with the current forecast.

AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

N winds are well established at this point with gusts 20-30 kts. Showers have largely cleared the inland terminals with maybe some drizzle lingering in the area. CIGs have been scattering out here and there but large scale lifting probably won't happen for the next several hours. Tonight should be clear with the threat of LLWS as surface winds weaken slightly with a 45 to 50 kt NNELY low- level jet. Similarly strong N/NE winds can be expected Sunday with VFR.

Extended Outlook... A nor'easter well offshore will maintain breezy northerly winds, but sub- VFR conditions are not expected.

MARINE

A developing nor'easter may linger east of the area through the forecast period. Gale force winds are expected through the weekend with gales expected to linger longer in our SE NC waters. As the nor'easter moves further away early next week, conditions should improve, but Small Craft Advisory conditions may linger into mid week depending on it's exact track.

ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ108. SC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ056. MARINE...Gale Warning until 8 AM EDT Monday for AMZ250-252-254-256-284. Gale Warning until 8 PM EDT Monday for AMZ280.