294 FXUS61 KPHI 141757 AFDPHIArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 157 PM EDT Sun Sep 14 2025
.SYNOPSIS... A weakening cold front approaches the region late tonight. High pressure briefly builds in on Monday before weakening and shifting northeastward. Meanwhile, a coastal low which is expected to develop off the coast of the Carolinas later tonight will gradually drift northward, approaching our region Tuesday into Thursday before dissipating. Late in the week, a cold front may approach the region.
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.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... A weak, decaying cold front will wash out as it moves into the region tonight. Thereafter, the local area will be caught between two systems: high pressure centered near Hudson Bay building south, and low pressure, both at the surface and aloft, over the Southeast that will lift towards the Mid-Atlantic by Monday afternoon.
In terms of sensible weather, a few sprinkles, perhaps a light shower, is possible into this evening with the approach of that cold front this evening. There is a good deal of low levels moisture, especially for mid-September, with dew points in the 50s to low 60s, but there is little, if any, upper level support for more widespread showers.
While some clouds may develop with that front, especially in northern zones, those clouds will dissipate through the overnight. Clouds associated with the low over the Southeast will lift towards Delmarva and southern New Jersey. These clouds should inhibit the development of fog, but where skies are relatively clear, some patchy fog is possible. Not expecting dense fog. Warm and muggy tonight with lows in the 50s to low 60s.
Clouds increase from south to north throughout the day Monday as low pressure lifts towards the Carolina coast. Onshore flow will keep temperatures generally in the 70s to low 80s, with the coolest temperatures near the coasts. Muggy with dew points rising into the lower 60s.
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.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... We should have increasing chances for rain showers especially closer to the coast as a weak coastal low meanders closer to our region Tuesday into Wednesday.
The biggest change in this period is the earlier potential arrival of both rain and breezy conditions along the coast due to the coastal low. It still appears the coast low will be weak, and weakening as it gets this far north, so at this point, it looks like wind gusts up to 30 mph along the coast, and widespread rain amounts near or below 1.5 inches. Additionally, with persistent onshore flow, boundary layer heating will be tempered, limiting instability. Consequently, there is very little risk for any significant impacts; Our region isn`t outlooked in the excessive rainfall outlook, winds should stay well below impactful levels, and while we may see some thunderstorms, at this point the risk for severe storms appears very low (less than 5%).
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.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... By Thursday, the reflection of the coastal low at the surface will be very diffuse, if not completely dissipated. However, a mid and upper level open wave trough may still be near our region, resulting in continued chances for rain, primarily for the coastal plains.
Once the mid/upper level trough slides eastward by late Thursday, we could see a brief warm up on Friday, thanks in part to a short wave ridge. However, it still appears a cold front will approach the region late in the week. It has some characteristics of a backdoor cold front which are notoriously hard to model, especially with respect to timing, this far out, so have stayed close to the blend of guidance.
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.AVIATION /17Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.
Rest of today...VFR. E-NE winds 5 to 10 kt. High confidence.
Tonight...Prevailing VFR. There is the potential for some fog, but confidence is quite low for sub-VFR conditions to develop. NE winds less than 5 kt, becoming nearly calm at some terminals.
Monday...VFR. E winds 8 to 12 kt. High confidence.
Outlook...
Monday night and Tuesday...Prevailing VFR for most TAF sites. MVFR or IFR possible (30-60% chance) with low clouds, and brief visibility restrictions in rain showers.
Tuesday night through Thursday...30 to 60 % chance of periods of MVFR or IFR conditions with rain showers.
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.MARINE... Sub-Small Craft Advisory conditions tonight through Monday. East to northeast winds around 10 kt tonight, increasing to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt on Monday. Seas 2 to 3 feet tonight, building to 3 to 4 feet on Monday.
Outlook...
Tuesday through Wednesday night...SCA conditions are likely (60% or more) for at least a portion of this period. Areas south of Great Egg Inlet are likely to see SCA conditions develop the earliest, with winds at or above 25 kt possible as early as pre-dawn Tuesday. Seas above 5 feet are likely to develop along the coast by late Tuesday. Main period of concern for the Delaware Bay is during the day on Tuesday and primarily due to winds at or just above 25 kt.
Thursday...Increasing chance (80% or higher) that winds and seas will subside below SCA criteria before Thursday morning.
Rip Currents...
For today, winds become more southerly around 10-15 mph. Breaking waves will be around 1-2 feet with an easterly swell around 7-8 seconds. Due to winds becoming more shore parallel and breaking wave heights slightly lower, a LOW risk for the formation of dangerous rip currents is forecast.
For Monday, the winds back to easterly at around 10 to 15 mph and breaking waves increase to around 2 to 3 feet with a continuing easterly swell around 8 seconds. Due to the winds becoming onshore along with building wave heights the risk for dangerous rip currents is expected to increase to a MODERATE risk for all of the New Jersey Shore and Delaware Beaches.
For specific beach forecasts, visit weather.gov/beach/phi
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.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...None.
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SYNOPSIS...Johnson NEAR TERM...MPS SHORT TERM...Johnson LONG TERM...Johnson AVIATION...Johnson/MPS MARINE...Johnson/MPS
NWS PHI Office Area Forecast Discussion