


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Newport/Morehead, NC
Issued by NWS Newport/Morehead, NC
037 FXUS62 KMHX 021903 AFDMHX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 303 PM EDT Sat Aug 2 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure departs to the NE Sunday. High pressure will build in through the weekend with a few low pressure waves expected to traverse an offshore boundary through early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 3 PM Sat...Low pressure spinning off the NC coast will continue to pull away from the area overnight, taking with it the areas of drizzle and spotty showers. A dry and very pleasant night expected as dry air filters in behind the low with mo clr skies expected. Lows range from the mid 60s interior to the mid 70s beaches, as a stout nerd breeze over the warm waters keeps conditions warm and humid here. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY/... As of 3 PM...Dry cond expected to cont, with partly cloudy skies in the morning becoming partly sunny to mo cloudy in the afternoon, as bkn strato cu develops with daytime heating. A dry bndry layer will preclude shower development, and a dry forecast ensues. Highs in the mid 80s, though TD`s only in the 60-65 degree range will make it feel amazing, especially after the oppressive heat and humidity we have been held hostage to as of late. && .LONG TERM /MON THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 2 PM Saturday... Key Messages - Extended period of relief from the recent stretch of dangerous heat A baroclinic zone is forecast to remain parked off the coast of the Southeast U.S. through much of this coming week, its movement being slowed by ridging out over the SW Atlantic. Guidance continues to favor 1-2 deepening low pressure systems that form south of the ENC coast this week before pushing offshore. For much of the week, then, this pattern will lead to persistent northeasterly, onshore flow across the coastal Carolinas. This flow will help to knock down temperatures and dewpoints, especially through about mid-week. This should equate to highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s to low-70s (inland) and low-to-mid 70s (coast). This will provide a much-deserved break from the dangerous heat and humidity that we have seen over the past 7-10 days. Late this coming week, the humidity will begin to creep back up as the flow becomes more southerly. One of the primary forecast challenges through next week will be daily precipitation chances. Guidance suggests multiple areas of low pressure will develop along the stalled frontal boundary at times through the week. On the NW periphery of any low, there may be areas of enhanced low-level convergence that develop, favoring the development of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Each day this will probably be dependent on where any low develops and how close to the coast it tracks (which will be influenced by the location of the stalled frontal boundary and the strength of the high pressure system forecast to build into the area mid-to-late week). Guidance differ on the track of any low development, as well as where the best lift and moisture will reside. In light of this, blended guidance shows about a 30-50% chance of showers each day. We`ll continue to try to refine which day, or days, may have a higher chance than others, but the key message at this point is that most days next week carry at least a low to moderate risk of showers and thunderstorms, with the highest chance along the coast. Should better lift/moisture setup across ENC, showers and thunderstorms could pose a risk for heavy rainfall and localized flooding. WPC currently has areas south of Highway 70 in a marginal Excessive Rainfall Outlook for Wednesday. Will continue to monitor the threat for heavy rainfall. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... SHORT TERM /through Sunday/... As of 2 PM Sat...VFR cond expected through the TAF pd. The NEerly breezes gust upwards around 20 kt this afternoon, and again on Sunday as area of low pressure moves offshore, keeping the gradient pinched through the weekend. LONG TERM /Sunday night through Thursday/... As of 2 PM Saturday...A moist and weakly unstable northeasterly flow appears supportive of isolated to scattered SHRA and TSRA throughout much of the extended period. This will also support periods of sub VFR conditions, especially CIGs. && .MARINE... SHORT TERM /through Sun/... As of 3 PM Sat...Low pressure off the NC coast will slowly pull away, and will combine with strong high pressure over the Northeast U.S. to produce moderately strong northeasterly winds and high seas tonight and beyond. Current observations of 20-30kt winds and seas 6-9 ft. Occasional gusts to 35kt for esp the ctrl/srn waters s of C Hatteras through this evening. We`ll continue with strongly- worded SCAs. The nerly gradient winds will cont into Sun as well. Will drop the Neuse river from suite of SCA`s at noon, but remainder of the area will cont with 15-25 kt gusting to 30 kt. LONG TERM /Sunday night through Wed/... As of 2 PM Saturday...Elevated northeasterly winds and seas are expected to persist through mid-to-late week thanks to a series of low pressure systems forming offshore and a strong surface high over the Northeast U.S. The stronger than normal gradient (for this time of year) will yield the potential for multiple periods for Small Craft Advisory conditions throughout the week. Winds/gusts are expected to drop below SCA thresholds Sunday night, but occasional gusts to 25 knots will remain possible through Monday before winds eventually drop to 10-20 kts (gusts to 20-24 knots) Tuesday/Wednesday. Seas will be slower to fall off with 5-8 foot seas on Sunday becoming 4-6 feet on Monday (with some lingering 7-footers possible for the coastal waters north of Ocracoke Inlet. Seas drop further to 4-5 feet on Tuesday. Seas/winds look to begin to increase again late Wednesday as a second area of low pressure begins to deepen off the NC coast. The potential for additional SCA`s later this week will continue to be monitored. Occasional shower and thunderstorm activity is also expected through mid-to-late week, especially for the central and southern waters. && .MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ196- 203>205. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT Sunday for AMZ131-135-230- 231. Small Craft Advisory until noon EDT Sunday for AMZ137. Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Tuesday for AMZ150. Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM EDT Tuesday for AMZ152-154. Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Monday for AMZ156-158. && $$ SYNOPSIS...MHX NEAR TERM...TL SHORT TERM...TL LONG TERM...RM/ZC AVIATION...RM/TL MARINE...RM/TL/ZC