Key MESSAGE 1, Sea fog has returned to portions of the marine areas especially over the Outer Banks, and has become very dense in some areas. As we go through the rest of the early morning hours, sea fog should also expand to cover not only most of the Outer Banks, but also farther south along the Crystal Coast and Onslow beaches.
Inland fog may hang around until 9AM in spots, but will dissipate quickly once it starts. Sea fog along the coast will be slower to dissipate, and could hang on for most of the day in some areas.
Tonight, light to calm winds and low dewpoint depressions will bring another round of fog. There is some uncertainty on how cloud cover will impact the timing and intensity of fog, so capped visibilities at 1 mile for now. There is potential for dense fog (1/4sm or less) so this will be worth monitoring.
For planning purposes, sea fog could continue to plague the coast the next few mornings through this weekend, but the exact location and intensity is hard to predict this far out.
KEY MESSAGE 2, An anomalously strong ridge will set up over the southeast US today and remain in place into early next week. This will bring near record temperatures possible for some inland zones some afternoons, especially Thursday through this weekend (see Climate Section below). Highs will reach the upper 70s/low 80s generally along and west of US 17, and upper 60s/low 70s closer to the coast. The immediate coast will remain cooler due to very cold ocean/sound temperatures.
Latest forecast trends show a weak front moving into the Carolinas late this weekend and into early next week, with the potential for scattered showers and thunderstorms as the well above normal conditions hold on.
12z Wednesday through Sunday Dense fog earlier this morning is gradually improving, expected to scour out completely away from the coast by 9AM. Stubborn sea fog may cause areas along the immediate coast north of Cape Hatteras and south of Cape Lookout to hang on to sub- MVFR VIS through the day today. Cigs will scatter out by mid- morning as well with a mixture of SCT mid and high clouds through the day. Another round of fog is likely tonight, with the potential for LIFR to VLIFR conditions. Winds have gone calm this morning, becoming S/SW at 5-10 kt today before becoming light to calm again tonight.
Sea FOG: Sea fog has also returned to portions of the marine areas especially over the Pamlico Sound and portions of the Outer Banks, and has become very dense in some areas. As we go through the rest of the early morning hours, sea fog should also expand to cover not only most of the Outer Banks, but also farther south to the nearshore waters along the Crystal Coast and other portions of Raleigh Bay.
For planning purposes, sea fog could continue to plague the marine areas the next few mornings through this weekend, but the exact location and intensity is hard to predict this far out.
WINDS/SEAS: Small craft seas will linger over the nearshore waters adjacent to Cape Hatteras for most of today, before finally dropping below 6 ft. Otherwise, good boating conditions are expected with winds light and variable this morning, and then S/SW at 5-15 kts through tomorrow. Seas will be mostly 3-5 ft.
Outlook: Pleasant boating conditions continue into this weekend. Winds generally be 10-20 kts out of the S/SW as high pressure remains offshore. The pressure gradient will tighten Sunday and into early next week as a front move into the area, and winds/seas will approach Small Craft criteria for portions of the marine area.
Nc, none. Marine, dense fog advisory until 10 am EST this morning for amz135-136- 152-230. Small craft advisory until 11 am EST this morning for amz152. Small craft advisory until 8 pm EST this evening for amz154.
