Weather alerts for the NWS Wilmington NC forecast area

000
FXUS62 KILM 281058
AFDILM

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
658 AM EDT Wed Oct 28 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Aviation discussion updated for 06Z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Dry high pressure to the north will produce minor coastal 
flooding and, at times, adverse marine and surf conditions this
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Dry high pressure to the north will produce minor 
coastal flooding and, at times, adverse marine and surf
conditions this week. 

Northeast flow will be enhanced today as reinforcing high
builds down the coast into Thursday, tightening the pressure 
gradient. Although winds will not be as strong or gusty compared
to last week, concerns remain at the coast. The likelihood for 
strong, dangerous rip currents will remain elevated through the
end of the week along with the potential for strong longshore 
currents at east-facing beaches. For marine implications, see 
the marine section below.

Coastal Flooding: High astronomical tides combined with prolonged, 
strong northeast flow will push water levels along the coast over 
minor flooding thresholds, especially with the morning high tides. A 
Coastal Flood Advisory has been issued for this morning's high 
tide.

As far as sensible weather goes, ridging aloft and high pressure at 
the surface will keep the region dry, but breezy. Increased low-
level moisture today and Thursday will produce cloud cover, and
possibly a few sprinkles but the shallow nature of the moisture
and lack of forcing will prevent measurable rain. Temperatures 
gradually rise through the work week before settling back to 
near normal over the weekend. A storm system affecting the 
Southern Plains late in the week may eventually bring increased 
rain chances early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
A patch of LIFR/IFR stratus is currently moving west across 
eastern NC. Low stratus has moved out of ILM and is forecasted 
to impact KLBT for a few hours this morning. Confidence is low 
regarding how far westward the low clouds will progress before 
slowly mixing out after sunrise, and have kept FLO VFR this
morning with scattered IFR/MVFR clouds until midday. After
stratus scatters/lifts, VFR will prevail into tonight with
scattered-broken mid level clouds. There is a chance for
IFR/MVFR stratus to return tonight, but confidence is low.
Northeast winds continue to prevail across the area, with gusts
of 15-20 kts this afternoon.

Extended outlook: VFR conditions are expected to prevail with 
gusty NE winds at times, especially near the coast.

&&

.MARINE...
Small Craft Advisory remains in effect. Northeast flow will 
increase today as high pressure to the north is reinforced. 
Although speeds will generally be under 20 kt within 20 NM, the 
extended duration and fetch of enhanced northeast flow, on top 
of an already elevated sea state (easterly swell 4-5 ft), will 
keep seas over 6 ft through Thu. The pressure gradient starts 
to relax late Thu with winds and seas gradually decreasing 
Thu night through Fri. High pressure returns for the weekend, 
building down the coast Sat into Sun, leading to another 
northeast surge and potential for headlines. Low pressure 
developing over the central CONUS early next week could lead to 
stronger winds than currently forecast for Sun, but have limited
confidence in timing/location/strength of low at this point.

&&

.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Coastal Flood Advisory until noon EDT today for NCZ106-108-110.
     Coastal Flood Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 2 PM EDT 
     this afternoon for NCZ107.
     High Risk for Rip Currents through this evening for NCZ108.
SC...Coastal Flood Advisory until noon EDT today for SCZ054-056.
     High Risk for Rip Currents through this evening for SCZ056.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until midnight EDT Thursday night for 
     AMZ250-252-254-256.

&&

$$

WHAT HAS CHANGED...ILM
KEY MESSAGES...ILM
DISCUSSION...ILM
AVIATION...VAO
MARINE...ILM