FXUS62 KMHX 191347 AFDMHX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 947 AM EDT Thu Sep 19 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Upper level low pressure will cross the region today producing unsettled conditions across eastern NC. High pressure will then build over the area over the weekend into early next week with mostly fair weather conditions expected. && .NEAR TERM /REST OF TODAY/... As of 930 AM Thurs...Scattered showers have begun to develop this morning across portions of the Crystal Coast and our far northwestern Counties with periods of moderate to heavy rain noted at times in some of this activity. As a matter of fact, did end up issuing a flood advisory for portions of Martin County where 2-4 inches of rain has fallen with this morning activity. Have noted a recent downtrend in rainfall rates so not expecting to issue additional flood advisories for this current activity. The morning sounding shows PWAT's sitting around 1.75 inches with a moist warm layer noted around the area as well which will promote at least a low end threat for some moderate to heavy rain later this morning and early this afternoon across ENC. Expect shower and tstm coverage to continue to increase as the day goes on. The persistent eastern upper trough will finally move east and across eastern NC today into tonight. While the initial surface cold front will has moved south of the area this morning, substantial moisture will be left in it's wake across eastern NC today. The upper trough crossing, diurnal heating and dewpoints around 70F will produce decent instability with MLCAPES up to ~1500 J/kg. This will result in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developing across the area, especially this afternoon into early this evening. With PW values forecast in excess of 1.75", torrential downpours will be the main threat as shear appears too weak to support organized severe thunderstorms. Coverage will be greatest east of Highway 17 and south of Highway 264. While we are not expecting widespread flooding with this system the heaviest amounts are forecast to occur along the immediate coast south of Hatteras, in an area which is saturated from the heavy rains of the past 7 days. The CAM's are indicating local amounts of 2+" which could produce local flooding issues along the coast. Widespread low clouds and patchy fog will tend to be persistent today and may take until early afternoon before briefly dissipating and allowing some peaks of the sun later this afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s. && .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT/... As of 300 AM Thursday...Showers and thunderstorms will be ongoing in the early evening, especially along the coast. The activity will begin to weaken rapidly after 00Z with the loss of heating. Expecting any residual shower activity to dissipate around midnight. Guidance is indicating the potential for widespread low clouds and areas of fog to develop after midnight as the low levels remain fairly moist. Lows will be in the mid to upper 60s. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 330 AM Thursday...Mid/upper level trough moves offshore Friday and ridging starts building in through the weekend as a low spins up offshore to our northeast, gradually shifting to our east. Seasonable (or just below) temps through the period and generally dry through Tuesday. Friday: Mid/upper level trough starts moving offshore to the east Friday PM as high pressure starts moving in. Decreased forcing and a drop in PWATs will bring partly cloudy skies and generally dry conditions. Some hi-res guidance is trying to show a few isolated showers along the coastal plain in the evening Friday, but kept mentionable PoPs out of the forecast for now with decreased forcing and a drop in PWATs keeping the environment more unfavorable for precip. Low continues meandering off the delmarva/NJ coast. The Weekend: Dry conditions expected to start the weekend as ridging takes over ENC. Low off the delmarva/NJ coast starts shifting south, but there is still some model uncertainty on the strength of the low and how close to us it reaches. Regardless it will be too far away for any substantial impacts, but it could produce gusts of 20-25 mph for OBX and some showers along and east of hwy 17 along a shortwave. This low could also produce high swell impacting OBX beaches. See TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING section for more information. Monday-Wednesday: Ridging and dry conditions continue through Wednesday. The high over the SE starts weakening and a low trekking across the great lakes region brings higher chances of rain to end the week. && .AVIATION /14Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... SHORT TERM /through Tonight/... As of 635 AM Thursday...Widespread LIFR to IFR conditions early this morning will persist through early afternoon before briefly dissipating. Current IFR ceilings are forecast to lift to MVFR from late morning through early afternoon followed by a potentially brief period of VFR conditions from late afternoon through the evening. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will occur this afternoon into early evening. Guidance is again indicating a period of sub VFR conditions developing after midnight mainly in low stratus clouds with ceilings lowering to IFR levels again after 6Z. LONG TERM /Friday through Monday/... As of 345 AM Thursday...VFR conditions expected through the long term, although Saturday morning could see some fog as skies clear and winds calm. && .MARINE... SHORT TERM /Through Tonight/... As of 635 AM Thursday...Outside of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms which will be occurring along and just off the coast from late this afternoon into this evening, conditions will be decent for mariners. Winds have shifted to N ~10 kt early this morning and will become NE this afternoon while increasing to 10-15 kt. NE winds will continue 10-15 kt tonight. Seas will be 2-4 ft through tonight across most of the waters with higher 3-5 ft seas expected across the outer central waters. LONG TERM /Friday through Monday/... As of 345 AM Thursday...Sustained northerly winds increase to 10-15 kt Friday, near 15 kt Saturday, then 15-20 kt Sunday/Monday. Winds have trended down a tad Sunday into Monday morning, and while SCA conditions are likely, chances of gale force winds have decreased to 10%. The strength of the winds depends on the position and strength of the low developing offshore to our northeast, and how strong the ridging pushing in from the north is. Seas will be 2-4 ft Friday, 3-6 ft Saturday, 4-7 ft Sunday, and 4-9 ft Monday as gusty winds + the low offshore results in higher swell. Waters off Crystal Coast and coastal Onslow will be a bit protected from the more easterly swell courtesy of Cape Lookout, and will be on the lower end of these wave height ranges. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... As of 4 AM Thursday...Coastal flooding will continue to be a risk given the higher than normal astronomical tide cycle. Coastal Flood Advisories for all remaining oceanside coastal areas are currently set to last through Saturday. Increased swell from a low offshore brings overwash risks late this weekend into early next week for OBX. && .MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...Coastal Flood Advisory until 10 PM EDT Saturday for NCZ195-196- 199-203>205. Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ203- 205. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...MHX NEAR TERM...JME/RCF SHORT TERM...JME LONG TERM...RJ AVIATION...JME/RJ MARINE...JME/RJ TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...MHX