FXUS62 KILM 162135 AFDILM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington NC 535 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... The Tornado Watch has been cancelled with the threat of strong wind gusts remaining possible through this evening along the cold front. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Strong to severe storms are possible into early this evening. 2) Subfreezing temperatures are expected Tuesday night, and possible again Wednesday night. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1...Strong to severe storms are possible into early this evening. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect with the primary threat of damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado. Showers and storms expanded in coverage into early this afternoon limiting the potential instability but the overall threat will continue until a strong cold front moves through into this evening. The winds will continue to remain gusty and potential for damaging winds exists as the low level winds remain strong, but the instability will remain a limiting factor. Also, decent shear remains, maintaining onto the threat of a tornado. The greatest threat will end from west to east through 6 to 8 pm this evening before cold front makes its way offshore. KEY MESSAGE 2...Subfreezing temperatures are expected Tuesday night, and possible again Wednesday night. Freezing temperatures still appear likely Tuesday night, and confidence is high enough to upgrade the Freeze Watch to a Freeze Warning. The only exception is coastal Georgetown where temps may only bottom out around 33-35 degrees, so kept the watch there for now. Low temps are expected in the upr 20s most areas, with mid 20s over typical colder spots with good radiational cooling conditions. For Wednesday night, lows will range through the 30s so there's a lower chance for a freeze than Tuesday night, however patchy to areas of frost are expected over much of SE North Carolina and NE South Carolina. && .AVIATION /21Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Showers and thunderstorms will continue until about 00-02z. with possible wind gusts in excess of 50 knots. MVFR will dominate outside of convection, but all terminals will transition to VFR between 02-04z as dry and cold weather arrives behind a strong cold front. Winds shift to the west and northwest behind the front this evening and maintain some gustiness overnight. Extended Forecast...VFR through Friday. && .MARINE... Through Tuesday... Gale Warning continues in effect until midnight tonight with strong winds and mainly gale gusts. Seas will remain rough with waterspouts possible through this evening. Winds shift to the west and northwest behind the front tonight. A Small Craft Advisory will be needed following the Gale Warning to address gustiness in cold air advection. Seas will gradually recover late tonight into daybreak Tuesday. Tuesday Night through Saturday...Sub-SCA conditions for the duration of this period with sfc high pressure over the area much of the time. Winds no higher than 10-15 kt - mainly Tuesday night and Wednesday, and seas consistently in the 2-4 ft range. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...Freeze Warning from 2 AM to 10 AM EDT Wednesday for NCZ087-096- 099-105>110. SC...Freeze Warning from 2 AM to 10 AM EDT Wednesday for SCZ017-023- 024-032-033-039-054-055-058-059. Freeze Watch from late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning for SCZ056. MARINE...Gale Warning until midnight EDT tonight for AMZ250-252-254-256. && $$ WHAT HAS CHANGED...ILM KEY MESSAGES...MAS/RGZ DISCUSSION...MAS/RGZ AVIATION...RGZ MARINE...MAS/RGZ