Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Wilmington, NC
April 18, 2024 6:14 PM EDT (22:14 UTC) Change Location
Sunrise 6:34 AM Sunset 7:47 PM Moonrise 2:07 PM Moonset 3:11 AM |
AMZ250 Coastal Waters From Surf City To Cape Fear Nc Out 20 Nm- 305 Pm Edt Thu Apr 18 2024
Through 7 pm - SW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds and se 2 ft at 9 seconds.
Tonight - SW winds 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt after midnight, then becoming N late. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds and se 2 ft at 9 seconds.
Fri - E winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: ne 2 ft at 3 seconds and S 2 ft at 5 seconds.
Fri night - SE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming sw after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: se 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 1 ft at 4 seconds. A slight chance of showers and tstms.
Sat - SW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: se 2 ft at 8 seconds and E 2 ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance of tstms. A slight chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers in the afternoon.
Sat night - NE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 10 seconds and sw 1 ft at 4 seconds. A chance of showers.
Sun - NE winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon.
Sun night - NE winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Showers.
Mon - NE winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Showers likely, mainly in the morning.
Mon night - N winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft.
Tue - NE winds 10 kt, becoming E in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft.
Tue night - S winds 10 kt, becoming sw after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
AMZ200 305 Pm Edt Thu Apr 18 2024
Synopsis for coastal waters from surf city north carolina to south santee river south carolina out to 20 nautical miles - High pressure offshore in the atlantic waters over the next several days, will produce an extended period of generally southwesterly wind. Variable wind directions for start of the weekend before a cold front moves across by early Sunday.
Area Discussion for - Wilmington, NC
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FXUS62 KILM 181945 AFDILM
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 345 PM EDT Thu Apr 18 2024
SYNOPSIS
Rain chances will increase on Friday as a cold front moves across the area. The front stalls in the area for the weekend, maintaining elevated rain chances. High pressure next week leads to drying conditions once more, with a gradual warming trend.
NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/
The above normal temperatures will continue tonight. A back door cold front will sink about half way across the area overnight.
As this boundary weakens it will lift back to the north very slightly stalling in the Cape Fear region. Later Friday another cold front will approach from the west while some paltry vorticity maxima approach. Forecast soundings show rapid moistening through a deep layer as ample instability develops. SPC highlighting the area for Marginal Risk. Given the instability and healthy veering with height could see the need for a higher outlook level in future forecasts or at least some small tornado probs. Overall storm coverage may be low however given the weakness of the mid level lift.
SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/
Some of the low-level vorticity maxima (such that it is) will continue to move through the area Friday evening, which will keep up some of the rain chances. Should have less instability from the loss of daytime heating, but it still lingers around regardless, and there are still 30-40kts of bulk shear to play with. It's possible to capture a strong storm inland, particularly with damaging winds hitting the surface (confidence is still pretty meager). Rain chances taper off during the overnight hours as the surface front pushes offshore. Lows in the lower 60s.
Saturday, the front stalls offshore, while weak low pressure along the front may bring a shower or thunderstorm inland. Warm and nearly muggy, with highs in the lower 80s. Northwesterly flow brings in slightly cooler air...lows Saturday night in the mid- to-upper 50s.
LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/
Sunday, the front pushes further offshore, but a strong surface low forms along the Georgia-South Carolina coast and pushes northeastward. This brings a much better shot at showers and a couple of thunderstorms Sunday and Sunday night, particularly closer to the coast. Clouds and rain, combined with the cooler low-level flow out of the ENE, will bring mild highs in the mid- to-upper 60s. Lows Sunday night in the lower 50s.
Old frontal boundary and associated surface low pressure finally pushes out of the area for good Monday afternoon. Cooler air left in the wake, with highs Monday in the mid 60s, and lows Monday night in the mid-to-upper 40s inland, near 50 at the coast. A few coastal showers may remain Monday morning, but should push offshore by the afternoon. Cloud ceilings lift and gradually clear out.
High pressure Tuesday brings clear skies and moderating temperatures.
Highs in the low-to-mid 70s, lows in the lower 50s.
Another frontal system looks to move through the area Wednesday and Thursday, but for now, it looks like a pretty dry front, with the majority of the forcing well to the north. Forecast guidance looks strangely consistent on this idea so far out, but I would maintain a healthy skepticism. Temperatures continue to warm up to the lower 80s Wednesday, with a modest cooldown after the frontal passage by Thursday.
AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
VFR with clear skies and no fog. Winds will swing around at ILM as a backdoor cold front sinks south of the terminal just prior to daybreak. This boundary will both weaken and lift back to the north later in the day.
Extended Outlook... VFR is expected through the period.
MARINE
Through Friday...Backdoor cold front veers the winds tonight over mainly northwestern zones. This front will then lift back to the north Friday allowing SW flow to return area-wide albeit gradually. The small wind chop will accompany a minor high pressure-induced SE swell.
Friday Night through Tuesday...SSW winds at 5-10kts Friday night become more variable Saturday and Saturday night, due to a stalled front over the waters. Pressure gradient increases Sunday as the front slowly moves further offshore. Northeasterly winds kick up to 15kts, with gusts up to 20kts. Seas at 2-3ft increase to northeasterly wind waves at 3-4ft. By Monday and most of Tuesday, winds vary slightly between NE and NNE, and a few gusts may try to reach up to 25kts, and a few waves may get up to 4-5ft out 20nm from shore. Not Small Craft Advisory thresholds yet, but wouldn't be surprised if the forecast trends in that direction over the next few days. Winds decrease Tuesday and gradually veer more easterly.
ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
NC...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 345 PM EDT Thu Apr 18 2024
SYNOPSIS
Rain chances will increase on Friday as a cold front moves across the area. The front stalls in the area for the weekend, maintaining elevated rain chances. High pressure next week leads to drying conditions once more, with a gradual warming trend.
NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/
The above normal temperatures will continue tonight. A back door cold front will sink about half way across the area overnight.
As this boundary weakens it will lift back to the north very slightly stalling in the Cape Fear region. Later Friday another cold front will approach from the west while some paltry vorticity maxima approach. Forecast soundings show rapid moistening through a deep layer as ample instability develops. SPC highlighting the area for Marginal Risk. Given the instability and healthy veering with height could see the need for a higher outlook level in future forecasts or at least some small tornado probs. Overall storm coverage may be low however given the weakness of the mid level lift.
SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/
Some of the low-level vorticity maxima (such that it is) will continue to move through the area Friday evening, which will keep up some of the rain chances. Should have less instability from the loss of daytime heating, but it still lingers around regardless, and there are still 30-40kts of bulk shear to play with. It's possible to capture a strong storm inland, particularly with damaging winds hitting the surface (confidence is still pretty meager). Rain chances taper off during the overnight hours as the surface front pushes offshore. Lows in the lower 60s.
Saturday, the front stalls offshore, while weak low pressure along the front may bring a shower or thunderstorm inland. Warm and nearly muggy, with highs in the lower 80s. Northwesterly flow brings in slightly cooler air...lows Saturday night in the mid- to-upper 50s.
LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/
Sunday, the front pushes further offshore, but a strong surface low forms along the Georgia-South Carolina coast and pushes northeastward. This brings a much better shot at showers and a couple of thunderstorms Sunday and Sunday night, particularly closer to the coast. Clouds and rain, combined with the cooler low-level flow out of the ENE, will bring mild highs in the mid- to-upper 60s. Lows Sunday night in the lower 50s.
Old frontal boundary and associated surface low pressure finally pushes out of the area for good Monday afternoon. Cooler air left in the wake, with highs Monday in the mid 60s, and lows Monday night in the mid-to-upper 40s inland, near 50 at the coast. A few coastal showers may remain Monday morning, but should push offshore by the afternoon. Cloud ceilings lift and gradually clear out.
High pressure Tuesday brings clear skies and moderating temperatures.
Highs in the low-to-mid 70s, lows in the lower 50s.
Another frontal system looks to move through the area Wednesday and Thursday, but for now, it looks like a pretty dry front, with the majority of the forcing well to the north. Forecast guidance looks strangely consistent on this idea so far out, but I would maintain a healthy skepticism. Temperatures continue to warm up to the lower 80s Wednesday, with a modest cooldown after the frontal passage by Thursday.
AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
VFR with clear skies and no fog. Winds will swing around at ILM as a backdoor cold front sinks south of the terminal just prior to daybreak. This boundary will both weaken and lift back to the north later in the day.
Extended Outlook... VFR is expected through the period.
MARINE
Through Friday...Backdoor cold front veers the winds tonight over mainly northwestern zones. This front will then lift back to the north Friday allowing SW flow to return area-wide albeit gradually. The small wind chop will accompany a minor high pressure-induced SE swell.
Friday Night through Tuesday...SSW winds at 5-10kts Friday night become more variable Saturday and Saturday night, due to a stalled front over the waters. Pressure gradient increases Sunday as the front slowly moves further offshore. Northeasterly winds kick up to 15kts, with gusts up to 20kts. Seas at 2-3ft increase to northeasterly wind waves at 3-4ft. By Monday and most of Tuesday, winds vary slightly between NE and NNE, and a few gusts may try to reach up to 25kts, and a few waves may get up to 4-5ft out 20nm from shore. Not Small Craft Advisory thresholds yet, but wouldn't be surprised if the forecast trends in that direction over the next few days. Winds decrease Tuesday and gradually veer more easterly.
ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
NC...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.
Stations | Dist | Age | Wind | Air Temp | Water Temp | Waves | inHg | DewPt |
MBNN7 | 3 mi | 74 min | S 2.9G | 79°F | 29.93 | 67°F | ||
JMPN7 - 8658163 - Johnny Mercer Pier, Wrightsville Beach, NC | 5 mi | 56 min | S 12G | 73°F | 65°F | 29.93 | ||
WLON7 | 5 mi | 56 min | 88°F | 68°F | 29.93 | |||
MBIN7 | 8 mi | 74 min | SW 9.9G | 83°F | 29.94 | 67°F | ||
41038 - ILM2 - 5 miles SE of Wrightsville Beach, NC | 9 mi | 66 min | SSW 14G | 70°F | 67°F | 29.96 | 65°F | |
41110 - Masonboro Inlet, NC | 9 mi | 48 min | 67°F | 3 ft | ||||
41037 - ILM3 - 27 miles SE of Wrightsville Beach, NC | 31 mi | 66 min | SSW 9.7G | 69°F | 67°F | 29.98 | 65°F | |
41108 | 34 mi | 74 min | 71°F | 67°F | 3 ft | |||
41024 - Sunset Nearshore (SUN 2) | 41 mi | 66 min | SW 9.7G | 70°F | 69°F | 29.97 | 69°F | |
SSBN7 | 41 mi | 79 min | 68°F | 2 ft | ||||
41064 | 49 mi | 66 min | SW 12G | 68°F | 65°F | 29.97 | 66°F | |
41159 | 49 mi | 48 min | 65°F | 3 ft |
toggle option: (graph/table)
Airport Reports
EDIT (hide/show)  Help Click EDIT to display multiple airports. Follow links for more data.Airport | Dist | Age | Wind kt | Vis | Sky | Weather | Temp | DewPt | RH | inHg |
KILM WILMINGTON INTL,NC | 5 sm | 21 min | W 11 | 10 sm | Clear | 88°F | 48°F | 26% | 29.94 | |
KSUT CAPE FEAR RGNL JETPORT/HOWIE FRANKLIN FLD,NC | 21 sm | 24 min | WSW 09G15 | 10 sm | Clear | 79°F | 66°F | 65% | 29.98 |
Masonboro Inlet
Click for Map
Thu -- 04:11 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 04:47 AM EDT 3.56 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:35 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 11:20 AM EDT 0.65 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 03:06 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 05:22 PM EDT 3.39 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:45 PM EDT Sunset
Thu -- 11:37 PM EDT 0.58 feet Low Tide
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Click for Map
Thu -- 04:11 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 04:47 AM EDT 3.56 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:35 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 11:20 AM EDT 0.65 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 03:06 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 05:22 PM EDT 3.39 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:45 PM EDT Sunset
Thu -- 11:37 PM EDT 0.58 feet Low Tide
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, Tide feet
12 am |
1.1 |
1 am |
1.7 |
2 am |
2.4 |
3 am |
3 |
4 am |
3.4 |
5 am |
3.6 |
6 am |
3.3 |
7 am |
2.9 |
8 am |
2.2 |
9 am |
1.6 |
10 am |
1 |
11 am |
0.7 |
12 pm |
0.8 |
1 pm |
1.2 |
2 pm |
1.8 |
3 pm |
2.5 |
4 pm |
3 |
5 pm |
3.4 |
6 pm |
3.3 |
7 pm |
3 |
8 pm |
2.4 |
9 pm |
1.8 |
10 pm |
1.1 |
11 pm |
0.7 |
Campbell Island
Click for Map
Thu -- 04:11 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 05:50 AM EDT 3.72 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:36 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 12:35 PM EDT 0.29 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 03:06 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 06:23 PM EDT 3.77 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:45 PM EDT Sunset
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Click for Map
Thu -- 04:11 AM EDT Moonset
Thu -- 05:50 AM EDT 3.72 feet High Tide
Thu -- 06:36 AM EDT Sunrise
Thu -- 12:35 PM EDT 0.29 feet Low Tide
Thu -- 03:06 PM EDT Moonrise
Thu -- 06:23 PM EDT 3.77 feet High Tide
Thu -- 07:45 PM EDT Sunset
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Campbell Island, North Carolina, Tide feet
12 am |
0.4 |
1 am |
0.8 |
2 am |
1.6 |
3 am |
2.5 |
4 am |
3.1 |
5 am |
3.6 |
6 am |
3.7 |
7 am |
3.4 |
8 am |
2.8 |
9 am |
2.1 |
10 am |
1.6 |
11 am |
0.9 |
12 pm |
0.4 |
1 pm |
0.4 |
2 pm |
0.9 |
3 pm |
1.7 |
4 pm |
2.6 |
5 pm |
3.3 |
6 pm |
3.7 |
7 pm |
3.7 |
8 pm |
3.1 |
9 pm |
2.3 |
10 pm |
1.6 |
11 pm |
1 |
Wilmington, NC,
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