textproduct: NWS Wilmington

WHAT HAS CHANGED

Discussions updated. Cancelled the Small Craft Advisory for the coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 nmi. Lowered forecast dew points through Thursday, especially during each afternoon.

KEY MESSAGES

1) A deep layer of northerly winds will maintain a dry Canadian airmass through the remainder of the week.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1...A deep layer of northerly winds will maintain a dry Canadian airmass through the remainder of the week.

Persistent northerly flow continues over the Carolinas between a ridge over the southern Plains and a nearly stationary low east of the northern Outer Banks. This low is expected to continue meandering while drifting northward off the mid- Atlantic coast through Thursday before being shunted away to the northeast. With high pressure in control of the weather locally, dry weather, clear skies, and generally below normal temperatures are forecast through the end of the week.

New Canadian high pressure will expand south across the Great Lakes late this week. As the high moves south this weekend, our wind directions may veer easterly enough to bring more humidity onshore, but with sufficient ridging continuing aloft to maintain dry weather.

AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

VFR is expected to prevail through the period amidst steady northerly winds and abundant dry air.

Extended Outlook...VFR will continue through the period. Breezy northeasterly winds could gust to 25 knots at times Friday and Saturday.

MARINE

Today through Saturday...Low pressure drifting northward offshore of the northern Outer Banks is forecast to strengthen over the next couple of days. This will maintain steady north winds across the local coastal and offshore waters while speeds gradually subside through Thursday. Even so, marine conditions will remain rather rough for the next few days as a large zone of strong northerly winds off the Mid Atlantic coast maintains elevated seas across our area. Exposed portions of the North Carolina coastal waters near Cape Fear are expected to continue seeing 6-ft waves through most of Wednesday before subsiding late in the day.

Looking later in the week: high pressure nosing south from Canada on Friday should lead to increasing northeasterly winds with seas likely to surge back over 6 feet again across the coastal waters.

ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NC...High Risk for Rip Currents until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ108. SC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ056. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT Wednesday for AMZ250-252.