Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for West Cape May, NJ

NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/
Benign weather and below normal temperatures continuing to close out the week, but with some slight improvement in temperatures compared to the frigid week we've experienced.

A modestly amplified trough will approach the area today and pass through the region tonight. Strong zonal flow will then develop in its wake into the weekend. At the surface, a decaying frontal boundary will pass through today with high pressure building in from the west and southwest in its wake. The front will not be very noticeable from a sensible weather perspective, as it will mainly just bring a slight reinforcement of arctic air for another 24 hours into Saturday. The dynamics aloft, lack of any moisture return, and decaying nature of the front will translate to a dry frontal passage, although a slight increase in cloud cover is anticipated into this afternoon. Can't completely rule out a passing flurry in the Poconos.

Temperature wise, we should experience a slight rebound in temperatures by about 2-5 degrees across the board compared to Thursday. Every little improvement counts! Highs this afternoon mainly in the upper 20s to mid 30s. The I-95 corridor looks to remain at or below freezing though, with only far southern NJ or Delmarva having a meaningful chance of rising a couple degrees above freezing. With the resurgence of arctic air tonight, we should see a return of more widespread single digit low temperatures, at least northwest of I-95 and into the rural areas of southern New Jersey. Elsewhere, lows will range from around 10-15 degrees. Fortunately, there won't be much wind to contend with, just a light WNW breeze 5 mph or less. Low temperatures will ultimately depend on the extent of the snowpack, which will probably be getting quite sparse and thinned out following the temperatures near freezing from near and southeast of I-95. The snowpack is already down to about T-1 inches in this area, and it will probably diminish even more today. This will be the factor limiting single digits in that region.

SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/
Saturday will feature zonal flow aloft as an upper-level closed low meanders over the Hudson Bay. At the surface, cold high pressure will continue to have its grip on the area for one more day. Through the day, winds will slowly gain a southerly component, and this will continue into the overnight hours. This will temper the cooling a bit Saturday night, with lows generally in the mid 10s across the Poconos to the mid 20s elsewhere.

Temperatures will moderate on Sunday, though a weak shortwave will likely pass to the north of the region, with an associated weak cold frontal passage. This will lead to colder temperatures Sunday night, but for now it looks like this will be a dry frontal passage.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/
During the early part of the next work week, an occluded low over portions of Quebec will drift eastward. In response, southwesterly surface flow will develop across the area.
Temperatures will again be near seasonal normals on Monday and Tuesday with modest warm air advection occurring. Another weak frontal passage will likely usher in slightly cooler temperatures Tuesday night, though again, no precipitation is expected.

Wednesday into Thursday, a potent trough and associated low pressure system may approach the area. This could bring the chance for some rain or snow to portions of the area, though there remains high run- to-run variability among the models.
While precipitation chances are uncertain, it does appear likely that below normal temperatures will be on their way back to the area.

AVIATION /09Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Through 12Z...VFR/SKC. WSW winds 5 kts or less. High confidence.

Today...VFR with a few passing clouds at times. WNW winds increasing to near 10 kts. High confidence.

Tonight...VFR with a few clouds lingering. WNW winds 5 kts or less. High confidence.

Outlook...

Saturday through Tuesday... VFR. No significant weather.

MARINE
No marine hazards anticipated through tonight. Northwest winds remain around 10-15 kts and seas 1-3 feet. A chance of some light freezing spray Friday morning and again late tonight into Saturday morning.

Outlook...

Saturday through Tuesday... Winds and seas will likely remain below SCA criteria through Monday. Breezy winds and slightly elevated seas could occur on Tuesday.

PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PA...None.
NJ...None.
DE...None.
MD...None.
MARINE...None.