textproduct: NWS Wilmington

WHAT HAS CHANGED

A Small Craft Advisory replaces the Gale Warning. SCA will remain in effect through Friday afternoon.

High Surf Advisory lowered for the New Hanover County Beaches. Remains in effect for the Georgetown County Beaches.

Strong longshore and moderate to high rip current conditions will continue for the east and southeast facing beaches today.

KEY MESSAGES

1) Small Craft Advisory will continue through atleast mid-day Friday, before lowering in time for the upcoming weekend.

2) Hazardous surf conditions will continue into early Friday then gradually subsiding late Friday through this weekend.

3) A gradual warming trend begins today and continues through this weekend.

AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

VFR. NE winds remain breezy today, up to 20 knots at times. Some mid level clouds may develop with a sea breeze just afternoon noon, but CIGs should remain VFR.

Extended Forecast... VFR.

MARINE

Through Tonight...The Gale Warning has been replaced by a Small Craft Advisory for all nearshore waters. Although the strongest winds remain east of the nearshore waters, the compressed gradient will maintain breezy conditions and elevated seas up to 7 feet through early Friday. Gusts up to 30 knots are expected through this afternoon, but a gradually improving gradient will see winds fall below 25 knots by late afternoon. Northeast winds around 15 knots continue through the end of the period which will maintain elevated seas.

Friday through Monday night...High pressure ridging across the Carolinas from its center located offshore from the NE States will lose its influence across the waters by late Friday with the ensuing weak pressure pattern/gradient resulting in light and variable winds over the weekend. The 1 fly in the ointment will be a backdoor cold front dropping to the NC waters late Sat followed by ridging from the north enhancing the gradient, again especially across the NC waters. Could see winds later Sat night into Sun increase to 10-20 kt, especially Cape Fear northward. Otherwise, late Sun thru Mon Bermuda high pressure will settle in with its ridge axis south of the local waters resulting in SSW-SW winds becoming dominant. The ENE-E 10 second swell will continue affecting the area waters thruout this period, albeit, likely in a very slow decaying trend. Could observe aftn/evening nearshore sea breeze wind chop on top of the swell Sat thru Mon.

ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NC...Beach Hazards Statement from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening for NCZ106. High Risk for Rip Currents from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening for NCZ108. SC...Beach Hazards Statement from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening for SCZ054. High Risk for Rip Currents from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening for SCZ056. High Surf Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for SCZ056. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM EDT Friday for AMZ250-252-254- 256.