175
FXUS62 KMHX 181909
AFDMHX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
309 PM EDT Fri Apr 18 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure will remain in control of the weather through
the weekend. The next cold front may approach the area early
next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 300 PM Fri...Sub-tropical upper level ridging continues to
amplify over the southeastern CONUS this afternoon as strong
southern stream shortwave digs into the Four Corners region. At
the surface, high pressure has moved offshore ushering in warm
south to southwesterly flow. Afternoon highs today have reached
the upper 70s to around 80, except mid 70s OBX.

Little change in this pattern is expected tonight as high
anchors offshore and mid-level heights continue to gradually
rise. Southerly winds will remain elevated overnight at around
5-10 kt, keeping low-levels mixed and temps much milder in the
upper 50s to around 60. Despite steadily increasing moisture,
wind will keep fog risk near zero.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY/...
As of 300 PM Fri...Upper level pattern remains stagnant
tomorrow as the ridge holds strong over the Southeast and high
pressure offshore expands westward across the Carolinas and Gulf
states. Another breezy afternoon is expected under primarily
sunny skies, but temps will continue to rise. Forecast average
1000-850 mb thicknesses of near 1400 m with largely unimpeded
insolation points to highs in the mid to upper 80s inland, mid
to upper 70s along the beach.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 230 AM Friday...

KEY MESSAGES

 - Well above normal warmth this weekend

 - Wavy frontal boundary may allow for a more unsettled period next
week, especially Tuesday-Wednesday

Synoptically, the surface and upper level pattern through next week
more resembles that of a mid to late summer setup, with weak flow
aloft and southwest Atlantic ridging dominating. However, it`s a
summer time pattern with early spring instability and moisture
(often lower than the summer).

Over the weekend, then, it`s expected that the modest increase in
low-mid level moisture won`t be sufficient to overcome the very warm
temps aloft and strong cap in place. This should keep the risk of
convection at a minimum, both along the daily seabreeze and along a
front that is forecast to dip south into the area Sunday. As we move
into next week, upper ridging is forecast to break down/flatten
some, allowing more of a zonal flow aloft to develop across the Mid-
Atlantic region. Within this flow, a weak frontal boundary is
forecast to waffle back and forth between North Carolina and
Virginia. As is to be expected, medium range guidance differs quite
a bit on the placement of this front on any given day next week.
With the ridge breaking down, temps aloft aren`t expected to be
quite as warm, which should support a weaker capping inversion. With
continued low-level moisture advection off the Atlantic, and a
weaker cap, there should be at least a modest increase in the chance
of showers and thunderstorms at points next week, with the risk
likely focused wherever the front resides on that particular day. As
mentioned above, we will have summer time deep layer shear (15-
25kt), which doesn`t favor much of a severe weather potential.
Machine learning guidance also favors a lower risk of severe weather
next week. Given the ongoing drought conditions, though, any
moisture will be welcomed. While guidance differ on where the front
will be each day next week, the most solid signal for convection
appears to be in the Tuesday/Wednesday timeframe.

By Sunday, the warmth continues, but a front dipping into the
area may lead to temperatures not being quite as warm,
especially along the OBX and Albemarle Sound vicinity thanks to
a cooler onshore flow. The coastal plan and Crystal Coast areas
still look to be above normal.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
SHORT TERM /through 18z Sat/...
As of 300 PM Friday...High confidence in VFR conditions through
the period as strong high pressure offshore remains in control.
Conditions tomorrow likely to resemble today with breezy south
to southwesterly winds Sat afternoon ranging from 20-25 kt,
especially inland and along portions of OBX. With increasing
subsidence aloft, clouds are likely to be few and far between
tomorrow but still safely at VFR levels. Elevated winds
overnight at 5-10 kt preclude any visibility issues.

LONG TERM /Saturday night through Monday/...
As of 230 AM Friday...

KEY MESSAGES

 - Gusty SW winds Saturday
 - TSRA and sub-VFR risk likely to return next week

VFR conditions are likely on Sunday. However, by next week, a
wavy frontal boundary will waffle back and forth between North
Carolina and Virginia. Along this front, there will be a risk of
SHRA, TSRA, and sub VFR conditions. The timing of the front,
and when the greatest impact to aviation will be, is less
certain. Prior to then, the other main aviation impact looks to
be gusty winds on Saturday and Sunday.

&&

.MARINE...
SHORT TERM /through Friday/...
As of 310 PM Fri...Marine conditions remain quiet for now
across area waters as high pressure sits offshore. Regional
observations show south winds of 10-15 kt with seas around 1-2
feet, although am seeing some funneling across northern sounds
and rivers with isolated gusts up to 25 kt at times.

Tightening thermal gradient tomorrow will see an uptick in winds
tomorrow, reaching up to 20 kt sustained and gusts to 25-30 kt
by midday and through the evening especially north of Cape
Lookout. Small Craft has been hoisted for all offshore waters
north of Cape Lookout, as well all soundside waters from Pamlico
Sound northward. Inland rivers were excluded, although strong
diurnal gusts over land may briefly bleed over waters.

LONG TERM /Saturday night through Monday/...
As of 230 AM Friday...

KEY MESSAGES

 - Wavy frontal boundary next week with less certainty regarding
   winds, waves, and thunderstorms

On Sunday, a front is forecast to dip south into the area with
a reduced gradient. This front will lead to a northerly wind
shift, though. This front then waffles north to south each day
next week, making the wind forecast less certain on any given
day. That front will also carry a modest increase in the risk of
thunderstorms, especially by Tuesday and Wednesday.

Seas then lay down to 2-3 ft by Sunday. Seas next week are less
certain and will be dependent on where the front is each day,
and how strong the gradient is around it on any given day.

&&

.MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from noon to 8 PM EDT Saturday for AMZ131-
     230-231.
     Small Craft Advisory from noon Saturday to 2 AM EDT Sunday for
     AMZ135-150-152-154-156.

&&

$$

SYNOPSIS...MHX
NEAR TERM...MS
SHORT TERM...MS
LONG TERM...RM
AVIATION...RM/MS
MARINE...RM/MS