661 FXUS61 KAKQ 171836 AFDAKQAREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Wakefield VA 236 PM EDT Wed Sep 17 2025
.SYNOPSIS... Coastal low pressure lingers over the area today before moving offshore by Thursday. A brief warmup is expected by late week before a return to slightly below normal temperatures this weekend into early next week.
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.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1000 AM EDT Wednesday...
Key Messages:
- The coastal low pressure lingers over the area today bringing additional chances for rain, primarily inland.
Morning weather analysis shows the coastal low pressure is now centered over the Northern Neck progged to move further west today before moving out of the area by this afternoon/evening. As the low shifts further inland, the chance of showers continues, primarily for the inland area north of I-64 and west of I-95 this morning/early afternoon. While the heavy rain is over, light to moderate showers are expected to continue with additional rain amounts up to 1.5" is possible. The low pressure will weaken early this afternoon with rain chances decreasing through the day as only a few lingering showers are possible across the area. Temperatures today will remain cool with highs in the mid 60s to lower 70s and lows in the lower 60s.
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.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 250 AM EDT Wednesday...
Key Messages:
- Improving conditions as the coastal low moves offshore and high pressure returns to the area.
By Thursday morning, the low pressure will have moved offshore allowing for improving conditions throughout the day. A few lingering showers may be possible on the Eastern Shore in the morning, but otherwise should be dry. Skies will clear from west to east as the low moves offshore, which will allow temperatures to warm back up with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Overnight lows on Thursday will be in the lower 60s. High pressure will return to the area on Friday bringing clear skies and warmer temperatures in the mid 80s across the area.
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.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 250 AM EDT Wednesday...
Key Messages:
- A front drops southward across the region this weekend, bringing comfortable temperatures and dry conditions.
- Moisture returns early next week as the front stalls south of the area.
Strong high pressure over Quebec pushes a cold front south into the region Saturday. This front is will bring cooler temperatures to the area, but isn`t strong enough to provide additional showers/storms. A gradient of high temperatures on Saturday is expected based on the front but currently looks like the Eastern Shore will be coolest in the mid 70s with the rest of the FA in the lower 80s. Overnight lows will remain similar to previous nights in the lower 60s. Sunday will be the coolest day with highs in the mid 70s. Slight chance of showers returns early next week as high pressure ridges against the Appalachia mountains and the surface front stalls near the area.
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.AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 152 PM EDT Wednesday...
A mix of IFR and MVFR conditions have been noted across the area this afternoon. As the weak low pressure over the area continues to slowly tries to move away it continues to bring light rain showers/drizzle and lower CIGS. RIC this afternoon continues to remain the only terminal with IFR conditions as the light rain/ drizzle move out of the piedmont and over the terminal. These light showers/drizzle will bring a brief reduction in visibility. Winds this afternoon have lightened as the pressure gradient has decreased. Winds this afternoon are between 5 to 10 kt. Through the late afternoon and into tonight IFR and LIFR conditions are expected to make its way across all terminals with reduction in visibility and lower CIGS. CIGS are expected to drop to LIFR conditions across RIC, PHF, and ORF. While across SBY and ECG they will remain IFR. With the drizzle/patchy fog this evening and tonight recent guidance has visibilities remaining MVFR with the potential of some IFR visibility possible near RIC. These flight restrictions are expected to last through the night into tomorrow morning.
Outlook: The coastal low will continue to linger over the area tonight, then moving offshore Thursday. As the low moves away from the area, flight conditions should gradually improve Thursday with dry and VFR conditions returning by Friday.
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.MARINE... As of 235 PM EDT Wednesday...
Key Messages:
- Small Craft Advisories for elevated seas are in effect until 7 PM this evening north of Cape Charles.
- Lighter winds and sub-SCA conditions expected Thursday and Friday.
The low pressure system that brought the strong winds to the area yesterday has spun down and weakened considerably over central/eastern VA today. With the low center W of the waters, the wind direction is generally S-SE and speeds are only around 10 kt. Earlier Small Craft Advisories in the Chesapeake Bay were allowed to expire given the reduction in winds. Seas have also fallen, but remain 4-6 ft N of Cape Charles in the ocean. Therefore, Small Craft Advisories are in effect through 7 PM this evening for these areas as seas continue to diminish. Whatever is left of the low opens up into a trough and slowly drifts NE of the area tonight, allowing winds to become NW 5-10 kt. Similar winds are expected Thursday into early Friday. Weak flow then prevails Friday and Friday night with sea breezes dominating the wind direction in the afternoon.
High pressure builds N of the region (across SE Canada into New England) this weekend. This will push a backdoor cold front through the region early Saturday with a N-NE wind surge spreading across the waters Saturday afternoon. Wind speeds of 10-15 kt are generally expected but cannot rule out a period of 15-20 kt winds (with higher gusts) along and just behind the front. Marginal SCAs are possible, but not expecting anything significant for this time of the year. This should also bring another increase in the seas, with 4-5 ft expected at this time. Onshore flow and elevated seas then persists into next week.
Rip Currents: A High rip risk continues at all beaches today, becoming moderate everywhere Thursday. A Low risk is expected by Friday.
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.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... As of 235 PM EDT Wednesday...
Water levels and tidal anomalies have dropped significantly today with the decrease in winds and seas. However, nuisance to perhaps low-end minor flooding is possible along the tidal Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, as well as the bay side of the MD Eastern Shore (near Bishop`s Head and Crisfield). With all gauges below minor, feel no need to issue an coastal flood headlines at this time. Nuisance flooding is forecast to continue in these areas through early Friday, though water levels will inch down with each cycle.
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.CLIMATE... Record Low Maximum Temperatures:
9/16 9/17 RIC 65/1959 61/2011 ORF 64/1963 65/1986 SBY 59/1963 63/1924 ECG 66/1963 65/2011
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.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for ANZ650- 652-654.
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SYNOPSIS...AJB/KMC NEAR TERM...HET/KMC SHORT TERM...KMC LONG TERM...KMC/RHR AVIATION...HET/KMC MARINE...SW TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... CLIMATE...
NWS AKQ Office Area Forecast Discussion