48-hour migraine risk based on barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature changes in Wilmington.
Wilmington sits at the fall line where the Piedmont drops to the coastal plain, at the head of Delaware Bay. Pressure averages 1013 hPa, and its position on the mid-Atlantic storm track means most systems moving up the coast pass directly overhead.
Worst season for migraines: February, January and December. Running almost straight over the city, the mid-Atlantic winter storm track delivers a high frequency of passages rather than a few extreme ones. Each produces a measurable step in the barometer.
Common triggers in Wilmington: Appalachian cold air damming, freezing rain from wedge events, high frequency mid-Atlantic storm passage. Cold air damming is the defining regional pattern: cold air wedges south along the eastern side of the Appalachians and gets trapped beneath warmer air arriving from the coast. The result is prolonged periods of freezing rain and a pressure pattern that changes slowly over days. Delaware sits in the heart of the damming zone.
Typical pressure: Wilmington averages 1013 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 995 hPa. Swings of 7-14 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
Can Wilmington weather trigger migraines?
Yes. Wilmington experiences 7-14 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include Appalachian cold air damming, freezing rain from wedge events, high frequency mid-Atlantic storm passage.
What time of year are migraines worst in Wilmington?
In Wilmington the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in February, January and December. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all.
How do I track migraine triggers in Wilmington?
Use MigrAid to log your attacks with one tap. The app automatically records barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity at the time of each migraine, then finds patterns between your attacks and Wilmington's weather conditions over time.
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Is it really the weather?
Weather gets blamed for a lot of migraines, but it's hard to know if it's really behind yours. The MigrAid app saves the barometric pressure with every migraine you log, so after a few weeks you can see whether Wilmington's swings actually line up with your attacks, and get a heads-up on days that match your pattern.