Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RR" "RUC13" "RUC" received at GSD on 06/29/16

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
805 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016

.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure will move somewhat north and east of Arizona this week
allowing warm temperatures to prevail, but also bring a couple of
weather disturbances through the state. An increase in monsoon
moisture will accompany these weather systems, providing a threat of
afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms the remainder of
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Evening objective analysis depicted several low amplitude waves
captured within easterly flow through the SW Conus with the most
notable vorticity center through eastern New Mexico. 00Z KTWC
sounding sampled a nice looking 10 g/kg mixing ratio through the
boundary layer with little inhibition while KPSR showed 8 g/kg with
more capping around the H7 layer. Despite the MLcape near 500 J/kg
in a weakly capped environment allowing scattered deep convection
surround the forecast area, distinct subsidence more downstream from
ascent structures have caused much of storms over SE AZ and northern
AZ to fizzle.

However, more organized storms have materialized through eastern AZ
and activity continues to percolate through Gila county. Numerous
weak outflow boundaries were converging through the lower elevations
of central AZ likely modifying the environment. In addition,
easterly steering flow through the H7-H5 layer should also advect a
lobe of better midlevel moisture towards the forecast area. Thus,
feel activity will continue later into the evening and overnight
hours associated with shortwave activity. Have made some minor
adjustment to pops based on this analysis.

&&

.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...
/305 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016/
Tonight through Saturday...
Another and perhaps stronger upper level disturbance is forecast to
move from just off the central Baja west coast tonight, into
southern AZ late Wednesday afternoon. Interesting is the MOS precip
guidance is forecasting a higher probability of precipitation over
the south central AZ, including Phoenix Wednesday evening.

More recognizable upper level disturbances, like those currently
seen on water vapor imagery 650 miles southwest of San Diego, are
forecast to move into southern AZ Thu and Fri. Timing of these
disturbances are uncertain, and with the monsoon moisture in place,
a broad brush chance approach to afternoon and evening thunderstorms
is perhaps the best approach for now. The threat of tstms will be
primarily confined to portions of southwest and south central AZ for
the tonight through Saturday period.

Sunday through Tuesday...
Models are forecasting a somewhat airmass to overspread our forecast
area, southeast CA to south central AZ, from the west this period.
Although drier air pushes into southeast CA and the Colorado River
Valley, south central and southeast AZ will still hang on to some
remnant moisture. The monsoon moisture boundary retreats east
into the far southeast corner of AZ Mon and Tue.

However perhaps more importantly Monday through Wednesday is a major
adjustment in the upper level flow pattern. Winds at and above 300
mb become broadly anti-cyclonic, devoid of disturbances, and
certainly imply a very stable subsident airmass that could kill the
threat of afternoon/evening high elevation mountain storms.

Therefore this period will be a quiet one, meaning mostly clear
skies, warmer afternoon temperatures, with just a very slight chance
of an afternoon mountain thunderstorms in southern Gila County
bordering the White Mountains.

&&

.AVIATION...
South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL:
Converging outflow boundaries and lift from waves approaching from
the east should allow thunderstorms to develop east of terminal
sites, and move towards/through the metro during the late evening
hours. Somewhat lower confidence in coverage of actual storms near
terminal sites, but shifting outflow winds from an E/NE direction
seem more likely. Periods of variable directions are also probable
after storms/outflow pass until a predominant east flow develops
tonight. Cigs will remain in a 10K ft range with/around these
storms.

Probability and coverage of storms appears even better late
Wednesday afternoon and evening with more direct impact likely for
terminals. Morning and early afternoon hours should remain quiet
with higher cloud decks, light easterly winds, and minimal to no
aviation impacts.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
Little aviation impacts through Wednesday afternoon with storms
remaining well east of SE CA. While surface winds will favor a south
and southeasterly direction, outflow boundaries from distant storms
may cause abrupt wind shifts, or variable winds overnight.

Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Thursday through Tuesday...
Enhanced humidities and storm chances will continue into Saturday.
Humidities will trend down substantially Sunday and Monday. In fact,
minimum humidities on the low deserts will be near 10 percent by
Monday. Similarly, overnight recovery will trend down to only fair.
Thunderstorm chances will be confined to the higher terrain of south-
central AZ Sun-Tue and be only slight. Apart from strong erratic
winds associated with thunderstorms, southerly breeziness can be
expected over southwest AZ and southeast CA Thu-Sat(less so over
south-central AZ). Winds will favor southwesterly directions next
week.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not expected.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...None.
CA...None.

&&

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix

DISCUSSION...MO/Vasquez
AVIATION...MO
FIRE WEATHER...AJ



  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 718 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Scattered showers and thunderstorms will occur through tonight, with the favored areas south of Tucson and across the White Mountains. Increasing moisture and a favorable flow regime will then provide even greater coverage of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday through Friday. A drying trend will then limit thunderstorms to mainly near the New Mexico border by early next week. && .UPDATE...Ran a quick update to the forecast based on latest runs of the HRRR which has been rather consistent on a rim shot to move across the area during the overnight hours. Will continue to monitor. && .DISCUSSION...Visible satellite imagery and KEMX WSR-88D showed isolated to scattered convection this afternoon, mainly south and west of I-10. So far the storms seem to be relatively tame, since they are being sheared apart by low level easterly flow and upper level southwesterly flow. It`s still feeling soupy out there with sfc dewpoints holding steady in the 50s. 28/18z CIRA LPW indicated the bulk of moisture was located near the international border and across the western half of Pima County. Not as much activity as anticipated over the White Mountains, but the latest runs of the HRRR/WRFEMS are hinting at convection developing over that area later on this evening, so there`s still time. Overall, it still looks like scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue into this evening, with isolated activity into the overnight hours. The 28/12Z runs of the GFS/ECMWF remain in very good agreement through at least the first part of the holiday weekend. The anticipation is for an upswing in convective activity starting tomorrow, with a focus on Thursday into Friday especially. High pressure aloft currently located near the preferred Four Corners region will remain quasi-stationary through tomorrow, with a shift toward the east and southeast through the end of the work week. In response, expect upper level flow to becoming increasingly southeasterly and then southerly, which will really aid in ramping up our moisture in the form of a Gulf surge. As such, wouldn`t be surprised to see sfc dewpoints jump into the mid to upper 60s as early as Wednesday night into Thursday morning. In addition, the GFS/NAM indicate PWAT will jump to between 1.6 and 2 inches by 00Z Friday, with the highest values across western Pima County. Thereafter, PWAT values look to drop to around 1.25 inches by 12z Saturday, and continue to decrease into early next week as we lose our monsoonal flow and a weak upper ridge/westerly flow develops over the southwestern deserts. This will shut us down for a few days with regard to convection, with the exception being areas adjacent to the NM border and across the mountains. The GFS then tries to reconsolidate high pressure over the four corners while the ECMWF maintains westerly flow. As such, have continued with just slight chance PoPs for eastern zones at the end of the forecast period. We will also have to keep an eye on the tropics, as both the GFS/ECMWF bring a system southwest of the Baja tip late next week. Something to watch. Expect a slow decrease in daytime temperatures through Friday, when highs will top out 5-10 degrees below normal. We will then warm right back up to normal levels by Sunday into early next week. && .AVIATION...VALID THRU 30/00Z. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be in and around the terminals through 29/08Z. KTUS, KDUG, and KOLS have the best chance of seeing activity. VFR conditions will be the rule, however, brief MVFR conditions in heavy rainfall are possible. Additionally, wind gusts upwards of 30 kts will be possible in and around the strongest storms. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...With plenty of moisture and instability we will have daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. The strongest storms will be capable of very strong winds and heavy downpours especially during the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Moisture will diminish across the region Saturday onward resulting in a decrease in the amount of convection each day. By Monday any isolated convection will be limited to the mountains near the eastern border and over the White Mountains. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NWS LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
650 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 Updated Aviation Discussion .SYNOPSIS... A slight chance of thunderstorms and showers into this evening for Ventura and Los Angeles...mainly in the mountains and deserts. Above normal temperatures will occur into next week with a cooling trend for this weekend. An overnight coastal marine layer will persist into next week. The weekend should see the high exit... but may roll back in by Monday for a warming trend. && .SHORT TERM...(TDY-FRI) Mid and high level moisture continues to stream into the area this afternoon. It`s still very dry at lower levels and so far we`ve mostly just seen a few spits of light rain, mainly mtns and Antelope Valley. The clouds have moderated the temperatures a bit, especially in those same areas. Still a small chance of a shower or tstorm across the interior this afternoon and evening, though main threat would be gusty winds and dry lightning. Along the coast a shallow marine lyr continues to hug the coast, mainly west of malibu and south of Pt Conception. Unless the mid and high clouds thicken up over the coast tonight and disrupt the marine lyr it`s likely we`ll see a very similar coverage pattern again Wednesday with dense fog likely in some areas. With less moisture aloft tomorrow most areas that saw cooling today will see a rebound of temps back to near Monday`s levels. Elsewhere similar to slightly cooler. The ridge starts to break down Thu and especially Friday as a trough moves into the Pac NW. Coast and valleys will see a little cooling Thu with increasing onshore flow, then additional and more widespread cooling Friday as the trough deepens. Low clouds may be sneaking into the valleys by then. Highs should return to near normal levels. .LONG TERM...(SAT-TUE) The trough is expected to move east by Sunday and at least inland areas should start to see a slight warmup Sunday afternoon. Models in general agreement through early next week showing the ridge at least trying to rebuild over the area, though not nearly as strong as we saw it this week. ECMWF lags a bit with the warmup as it keeps some troughing going across northern CA. Current forecast is a blend of the two solutions, thus some warming but not as much as the GFS is showing. && .AVIATION...29/0150Z... At 2300Z, at KLAX, the marine layer depth was 800 feet. The top of the inversion was at 2700 feet with a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Low confidence exact timing and flight category of low cigs at coastal TAF sites due to scattered marine deck interaction with mid level clouds currently moving off the coast of SW CA. The timing of low cigs may be off by +/- 3 hours a break in low cigs are possible for KLAX KLGB and KOXR between 04Z and 10Z. There is a 40 percent chance of lifr cigs/vsbys at KLAX and KLGB between 06Z and 15Z. There is a 20 percent chance that vfr conditions prevail at KSMX and KSBP. There is a 20 percent chance of brief IFR cigs between 11Z and 16Z at KBUR and KVNY. KLAX...Low confidence in 06Z TAFs due to uncertainty in timing and category of low cigs. The timing of low cigs may be off by +/- 3 hours a break in low clouds possible between 04Z and 10Z. There is a 40 percent chance of lifr cigs/vsbys mainly between 06Z and 15Z. There is a 30 percent chance that IFR cigs return by 29/00Z. There is also a 10 percent chance that ifr to low MVFR cigs prevail throughout the day. KBUR...Good confidence in the 00Z TAF. There is a 20 percent chance of brief IFR cigs between 11Z and 16Z. && .MARINE...28/200 PM... For the Outer Waters, good confidence in current forecast. Gusty northwest winds will continue through the week. The strongest winds will occur across PZZ670/673 with a high likelihood of SCA level winds continuing for most of the week. For PZZ676, there will be a chance of SCA level winds from Wednesday through the rest of the week. For the Inner Waters, good confidence in current forecast. There is a high likelihood of conditions remaining below SCA levels through the week. Patchy dense fog in the coastal waters will be possible in the overnight and morning hours through the week, particularly south of Point Conception. && .LOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA...NONE. PZ...Small Craft Advisory in effect until 3 AM PDT Wednesday For zones 670-673. (See LAXMWWLOX). && $$ PUBLIC...MW AVIATION...Munroe MARINE...Sweet SYNOPSIS...Seto weather.gov/losangeles
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA 511 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .UPDATE...UPDATED AIR QUALITY ISSUES. && .SYNOPSIS... Temperatures will rise to much above normal today. Upper level disturbance will trigger showers and possible thunderstorms today across the Kern County Desert and mountain area. Showers and thunderstorms are possible through thursday in the Sierra. && .DISCUSSION...The monsoonal high parked over the four corners region over the last couple days has continued to bring above normal temperatures to most of the area. A weak disturbance has rounded the high and has brought a surge of moisture into eastern Kern County and northward along the crest. There has been some cloud cover in place for most of the day over this area as well thanks to this moisture. This should keep temperatures down a few degrees. The moisture has also brought some sprinkles and/or virga to Kern County this morning...with a couple locations reporting a trace of precipitation. The showery activity has edged north into the Sierra Nevada this afternoon. Not expecting much precipitation with these showers either, though with thunderstorm potential in place into the evening across both the Sierra Crest and Kern Mountains a few locations could see some measurable precip. Tomorrow looks like another hot day across most of the forecast area. There will be some lingering moisture across the eastern edge of the forecast area which would bring another round of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Then Thursday the upper high will weaken enough and slide eastward allowing for a slight cooling trend. This cooling will be enhanced by a shortwave trough edging onshore. In fact, could see near or slightly above normal temperatures by the weekend or a cooling of 5 or so degrees. Other than some lingering showers and thunderstorms along the Sierra Crest until Friday and Kern County Mountains and Desert over the 36 hours the forecast looks dry. && .AVIATION... Smoke from the Erskine wildfire will produce reduced visibilities in the vicinity of Lake Isabella. Local mountain obscurations in showers and thunderstorms over the southern Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi mountains. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail throughout the Central CA interior during the next 24 hours. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... On Wednesday June 29 2016... Unhealthy in Fresno and Kern Counties and Sequoia National Park and Forest. Unhealthy for sensitive groups in Kings... Madera... Merced and Tulare Counties. Further information is available at Valleyair.org && .CERTAINTY... The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is medium. The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium. Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.php for additional information an/or to provide feedback. && .HNX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ weather.gov/hanford
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area 504 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...High pressure over the region will result in continued very warm and dry inland conditions through midweek. Some cooling is anticipated late in the week and more so into the weekend, especially over inland areas. Dry weather and near seasonal temperatures are likely for the Forth of July Holiday Weekend. && .DISCUSSION...as of 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday...Current observed temperatures are ranging wildly this afternoon with 97F at Livermore and 59F at Monterey. Several unofficial sensors are also reporting temperatures at or above 100F throughout the inland valleys to the north, east, and south of the Bay Area. This large temperature gradient is the result of a broad 595DM ridge over the Four Corners region warming from the east and cool marine air cooling from the west, with a thermal trough in between. As of 2PM, temperatures are 2 to 6 degrees cooler than this time yesterday with slightly more cooling seen further inland than near the coast. Visible satellite shows a thinly veiled marine layer across much of coastal California this afternoon. Portions of this layer will mix out into the afternoon before the layer deepens slightly late this evening before pushing inland overnight. Patchy dense fog and drizzle will again be possible for coastal areas tomorrow morning, as well as all of the remaining mornings of this week. The Four Corners ridge is modeled to gradually become flat and weakened over the central CONUS through the remainder of the week. Temperatures will cool aloft as a result and lead to a cooling trend at the surface with temperatures bottoming out on Saturday. Temperatures will shift from the above average to below average from today to Saturday by a few to several degrees with the largest difference seen further inland. Locally, the models show a relatively quiet pattern through the next several days. A weak mean trough with an unimpressive embedded disturbance will form over California/Oregon late in the week into early next week as high pressure rebuilds over the central CONUS. This will likely lead to moderated near normal values and fair weather for Sunday and beyond. && .AVIATION...as of 4:59 PM PDT Tuesday...Mainly clear skies prevail this afternoon with the exception of areas of coastal stratus along the coast. The marine layer remains shallow at around 1000 feet. The marine layer is anticipated to deepen slightly overnight as a weak trough moves over the region resulting in more stratus coverage over area terminals tonight. Moderate onshore flow will persist through this evening then gradually weaken overnight. Vicinity of KSFO...VFR conditions are expected to prevail through 09Z tonight at which point cigs bkn008 are expected to begin impact the terminal. First guess at morning burnoff is 1730Z Wednesday morning. West winds around 20 kt with afternoon gusts to around 25 kt expected through this evening. Moderate confidence. SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to KSFO. Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR conditions are expected to prevail this evening with cigs returning around 3330Z at KMRY and 0700Z at KSNS. Moderate west winds around 10 to 15 kt expected through this evening...winds will ease overnight becoming light and locally variable. Moderate confidence. && .MARINE...as of 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday...A strong surface pressure gradient will maintain gusty northwesterly winds across a majority of the coastal waters through at least Thursday. These winds will support large, steep seas through late week. A long period southerly swell will also move into the waters midweek. The surface pressure gradient is anticipated to weaken Thursday evening bringing lighter winds to the inner coastal waters for the weekend. && .MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... .Tngt...SCA...Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm SCA...Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm SCA...Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm SCA...Pt Arena to Pigeon Pt 10-60 nm SCA...Pigeon Pt to Pt Piedras Blancas 10-60 nm SCA...Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm SCA...SF Bay until 8 PM && $$ PUBLIC FORECAST: DRP AVIATION: CW MARINE: Larry Visit us at www.weather.gov/sanfrancisco Follow us on Facebook and twitter at: www.Facebook.com/nwsbayarea www.twitter.com/nwsbayarea
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Eureka CA 333 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...An upper level ridge will continue to bring hot and dry conditions to interior areas of Northwest California through Wednesday. A cooling trend will begin on Thursday as a trough settles over the Pacific Northwest. Seasonable temperatures and mostly cloudy conditions will persist along much of the coast for at least the next few days. && .DISCUSSION...The ridge axis has only shifted slightly east to near the eastern Yukon border in the last 24 hours which has resulted in very little sensible weather change as compared to yesterday. However, a shortwave ridge in the wake of the shortwave trough passage yesterday has allowed thickness values to increase today and high temperatures this afternoon should be a couple degrees warmer than yesterday. An approaching longwave trough will push the ridge farther east on Wednesday. High temperatures will likely still reach 100 degrees Wednesday afternoon in some interior valley locations, but a cooling trend will be in store as the trough moves into the Pacific Northwest and heights fall. Temperatures will fall back to near or slightly above normal and the marine layer will deepen along the coast Friday into this weekend. It is possible that enough mixing may occur along the coast to dissipate much of the coastal cloudiness each afternoon late in the week and this weekend depending on the exact positioning of the upper trough. Additionally, if enough moisture can be brought into the region, the cooler air aloft will have the potential to support convective development over the interior mountains. Considering the pattern is not particularly supportive of thunderstorms, only very low chances for precipitation have been included in the forecast on Thursday when a mid-level cap is predicted to be weakest. /RPA && .AVIATION...Marine clouds continued to blanket the North Coast today even extending into local coastal valleys, a typical June pattern. Inland areas were basically clear today (except for a few brief pockets of fog in river valley this morning). Therefore interior areas will remain basically clear through the forecast period. Back along the coast, limited and brief clearing mid-late afternoon and early evening expected along sections near the immediate coast. However, marine clouds will once again redevelop and push farther into coastal and near coastal inland areas this evening through Wednesday morning. Breezy winds expected at airfield along the coast and a few coastal valleys through afternoon-early/evening. Several offshore eddies caused CEC and ACV winds to vary from mostly south-west in the afternoon. && .MARINE...Northerly winds and short period seas will continue to increase tonight through Wednesday as high pressure offshore interacts with a thermal trough over the California interior. For tonight, GALE WARNINGS for wind gusts to 35KT remain in effect for the outer waters 10-60nm offshore. Northerly wind waves of 10 ft or more will build tonight as well. GALE force wind gusts along with very steep wind waves are expected to continue Wed morning before northerly winds approach FULL GALE Wednesday afternoon and evening. Strong northerly winds and very steep wind waves will continue Wed night and Thu. Persistent northerly breezes and steep seas will most likely continue on Fri and Sat across the outer waters. Closer to shore and inside 10nm, primary concern Wed through Fri will be the short period wind waves. Short period wind waves should steadily increase tonight and Wed. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORies for steep and hazardous wind waves remain in effect tonight through Wed. If the northerly winds offshore reach full gale, then seas inside 10nm north of Cape Mendocino will become very steep at 10 ft or more late Wednesday afternoon and evening. Therefore, a HAZARDOUS SEAS WATCH remains in effect through Wed night. Wave conditions may ease up some Thu morning, before wave heights increase to 10 ft or more again Thu afternoon and evening again. Steep and hazardous seas will probably continue on Fri and Sat, especially north of the Cape. && .EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA...NONE. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM PDT Wednesday FOR PZZ450. Hazardous Seas Watch from Wednesday afternoon through late Thursday night FOR PZZ450. Gale Warning until 11 PM PDT Friday FOR PZZ470. Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT Saturday FOR PZZ455. Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT Saturday FOR PZZ475. && $$ Visit us at http://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/EUREKA Follow us on facebook and twitter at: http://www.facebook.com/NWSEureka http://www.twitter.com/nwseureka FOR FORECAST ZONE INFORMATION SEE FORECAST ZONE MAP ONLINE: http://www.weather.gov/eureka/zonemap.png
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 315 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Hot and mainly dry weather this week. Isolated late day thunderstorms possible over the mountains. && .DISCUSSION... 24 hr temp trends at 20z were running close to yesterday...albeit there was less of a N/NWly zephyr at the surface than yesterday. Max temps still expected to trend similar to yesterday...although the Carquinez Strait and portions of the west Delta may be a degree or two cooler. Still can`t rule out the potential for a record tying max temp for DTS this afternoon...given the late "run-for-glory" with a SW wind and minimal marine layer as air from the hot pavement of US-50 wafts over the DTS sensor late in the day. The table below shows the records for the rest of the month and illustrates that only DTS has a chance/potential for a record tying max temp today. June 28th June 29th June 30th RDD 108 (2013) 108 (2013) 113 (2015) City 111 (1918) 111 (1974) 112 (1950) RBL 112 (1977) 114 (1950) 113 (2015) DTS 108 (2009) 107 (2013) 112 (1934) SAC 108 (2009) 107 (2013) 109 (1950) MYV 111 (2009) 109 (2013) 111 (1934) SCK 110 (2009) 106 (2013) 110 (1972) MOD 111 (2009) 109 (2009) 108 (1950) An upper trof approaching the Pac NW coast will nudge the Wrn portion of the 4-Corners High Ewd on Wed with a weak "baggy" trof establishing itself over the region Thu/Fri. The short-wave along the SErn CA/Srn NV border will work its way Nwd tonight and Wed bringing some monsoonal moisture with it and the chance of T-storms mainly S of Tahoe. Some of the moisture may result in some patchy cloudiness over the Nrn SJV zone...and Srn portions of the Motherlode/Sierra Nevada zones later tonite and Wed...however most of the T-storm activity should be E of the Sierra Crest. Late Wed...Thu...Fri the aforementioned upper trof is expected to weaken the ridge enough Norcal to initiate minor cooling. The small chance of T-storms over portions of the mtns will continue on Thu although moisture will be lacking as the monsoonal moisture will be shunted Ewd by the upper trof. Some moisture could remain along the Sierra Crest for some afternoon CU/TCU on Fri. JHM && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Saturday THROUGH Tuesday) Upper troughing regime will persist along the Pacific Northwest during this forecast period. This pattern should result in near-normal temperatures across interior northern California this weekend into early next week. Dry conditions are expected, with daytime highs in the 90s across the Valley, and 70s-80s over higher elevations. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions next 24 hour period across TAF sites. Light winds generally less than 10 knots, except for occasional gusts near the Delta region. && .STO Watches/Warnings/Advisories... None. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 315 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Hot and mainly dry weather this week. Isolated late day thunderstorms possible over the mountains. && .DISCUSSION... 24 hr temp trends at 20z were running close to yesterday...albeit there was less of a N/NWly zephyr at the surface than yesterday. Max temps still expected to trend similar to yesterday...although the Carquinez Strait and portions of the west Delta may be a degree or two cooler. Still can`t rule out the potential for a record tying max temp for DTS this afternoon...given the late "run-for-glory" with a SW wind and minimal marine layer as air from the hot pavement of US-50 wafts over the DTS sensor late in the day. The table below shows the records for the rest of the month and illustrates that only DTS has a chance/potential for a record tying max temp today. June 28th June 29th June 30th RDD 108 (2013) 108 (2013) 113 (2015) City 111 (1918) 111 (1974) 112 (1950) RBL 112 (1977) 114 (1950) 113 (2015) DTS 108 (2009) 107 (2013) 112 (1934) SAC 108 (2009) 107 (2013) 109 (1950) MYV 111 (2009) 109 (2013) 111 (1934) SCK 110 (2009) 106 (2013) 110 (1972) MOD 111 (2009) 109 (2009) 108 (1950) An upper trof approaching the Pac NW coast will nudge the Wrn portion of the 4-Corners High Ewd on Wed with a weak "baggy" trof establishing itself over the region Thu/Fri. The short-wave along the SErn CA/Srn NV border will work its way Nwd tonight and Wed bringing some monsoonal moisture with it and the chance of T-storms mainly S of Tahoe. Some of the moisture may result in some patchy cloudiness over the Nrn SJV zone...and Srn portions of the Motherlode/Sierra Nevada zones later tonite and Wed...however most of the T-storm activity should be E of the Sierra Crest. Late Wed...Thu...Fri the aforementioned upper trof is expected to weaken the ridge enough Norcal to initiate minor cooling. The small chance of T-storms over portions of the mtns will continue on Thu although moisture will be lacking as the monsoonal moisture will be shunted Ewd by the upper trof. Some moisture could remain along the Sierra Crest for some afternoon CU/TCU on Fri. JHM && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Saturday THROUGH Tuesday) Upper troughing regime will persist along the Pacific Northwest during this forecast period. This pattern should result in near-normal temperatures across interior northern California this weekend into early next week. Dry conditions are expected, with daytime highs in the 90s across the Valley, and 70s-80s over higher elevations. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions next 24 hour period across TAF sites. Light winds generally less than 10 knots, except for occasional gusts near the Delta region. && .STO Watches/Warnings/Advisories... None. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 305 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .UPDATE... Updated Aviation and Fire Weather sections. && .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will move somewhat north and east of Arizona this week allowing warm temperatures to prevail, but also bring a couple of weather disturbances through the state. An increase in monsoon moisture will accompany these weather systems, providing a threat of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms the remainder of week. && .DISCUSSION... Tonight through Saturday... Model guidance and water vapor imagery showed the slow moving inverted trof coming out of the Gulf of CA into an area near the Mexican border south of Tucson this afternoon. At the same time, high speed visible satellite imagery showed a mid level disturbance moving toward southeast AZ from southern New Mexico. As a result 2 pm radar and satellite imagery showed a growing area of thunderstorms from Tucson southward. At the same time there were developing thunderstorms over the higher terrain of central AZ north of Phoenix. Meso-scale models forecast gusty outflow winds to move toward Phoenix late today sparking mtn convection east of Phoenix, followed by a stronger outflow boundary from the Tucson area late this evening. As a result, convective outflows and or colliding boundaries could generate a threat of showers and thunderstorms around the greater Phoenix area tonight, similar to last night when Sky Harbor Airport recorded 0.01 inches of rain with heavier amounts around the city. Our southeast CA and southwest AZ zones will be dry for the most part tonight. Another and perhaps stronger upper level disturbance is forecast to move from just off the central Baja west coast tonight, into southern AZ late Wednesday afternoon. Interesting is the MOS precip guidance is forecasting a higher probability of precipitation over the south central AZ, including Phoenix Wednesday evening. More recognizable upper level disturbances, like those currently seen on water vapor imagery 650 miles southwest of San Diego, are forecast to move into southern AZ Thu and Fri. Timing of these disturbances are uncertain, and with the monsoon moisture in place, a broad brush chance approach to afternoon and evening thunderstorms is perhaps the best approach for now. The threat of tstms will be primarily confined to portions of southwest and south central AZ for the tonight through Saturday period. Sunday through Tuesday... Models are forecasting a somewhat airmass to overspread our forecast area, southeast CA to south central AZ, from the west this period. Although drier air pushes into southeast CA and the Colorado River Valley, south central and southeast AZ will still hang on to some remnant moisture. The monsoon moisture boundary retreats east into the far southeast corner of AZ Mon and Tue. However perhaps more importantly Monday through Wednesday is a major adjustment in the upper level flow pattern. Winds at and above 300 mb become broadly anti-cyclonic, devoid of disturbances, and certainly imply a very stable subsident airmass that could kill the threat of afternoon/evening high elevation mountain storms. Therefore this period will be a quiet one, meaning mostly clear skies, warmer afternoon temperatures, with just a very slight chance of an afternoon mountain thunderstorms in southern Gila County bordering the White Mountains. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: Thunderstorms developing north through southeast of metro Phoenix will likely increase in coverage (especially over Gila County) through 00Z. Outflow from distant storms will likely affect at least some portion of metro Phoenix this evening - most likely after 02Z. Confidence in storms directly hitting any given TAF site not high enough yet to include TEMPO or prevailing TSRA. However, TAFs reflect the scenario of nearby storms causing erratic winds this evening. There are some indications that lingering shower/storm activity could go til 09Z. But by that point, likely this would only be debris clouds (bases AOA FL100) with otherwise light winds. Anticipate debris clouds lingering well past sunrise. Anticipate southeasterly surface winds to last for much of the day with westerly struggling to develop in the afternoon. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: A stray thunderstorm is quite possible (mainly over La Paz County) through 06Z otherwise anticipate debris clouds (bases AOA FL100) with isolated weak showers after 03Z (mainly near and east of Lower Colorado River Valley). Surface winds will favor south and southeasterly directions (being stronger Wednesday than today). Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Thursday through Tuesday... Enhanced humidities and storm chances will continue into Saturday. Humidities will trend down substantially Sunday and Monday. In fact, minimum humidities on the low deserts will be near 10 percent by Monday. Similarly, overnight recovery will trend down to only fair. Thunderstorm chances will be confined to the higher terrain of south- central AZ Sun-Tue and be only slight. Apart from strong erratic winds associated with thunderstorms, southerly breeziness can be expected over southwest AZ and southeast CA Thu-Sat(less so over south-central AZ). Winds will favor southwesterly directions next week. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...Vasquez AVIATION...AJ FIRE WEATHER...AJ
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area 246 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...High pressure over the region will result in continued very warm and dry inland conditions through midweek. Some cooling is anticipated late in the week and more so into the weekend, especially over inland areas. Dry weather and near seasonal temperatures are likely for the Forth of July Holiday Weekend. && .DISCUSSION...as of 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday...Current observed temperatures are ranging wildly this afternoon with 97F at Livermore and 59F at Monterey. Several unofficial sensors are also reporting temperatures at or above 100F throughout the inland vallies to the north, east, and south of the Bay Area. This large temperature gradient is the result of a broad 595DM ridge over the Four Corners region warming from the east and cool marine air cooling from the west, with a thermal trough in between. As of 2PM, temperatures are 2 to 6 degrees cooler than this time yesterday with slightly more cooling seen further inland than near the coast. Visible satellite shows a thinly veiled marine layer across much of coastal California this afternoon. Portions of this layer will mix out into the afternoon before the layer deepens slightly late this evening before pushing inland overnight. Patchy dense fog and drizzle will again be possible for coastal areas tomorrow morning, as well as all of the remaining mornings of this week. The Four Corners ridge is modeled to gradually become flat and weakened over the central CONUS through the remainder of the week. Temperatures will cool aloft as a result and lead to a cooling trend at the surface with temperatures bottoming out on Saturday. Temperatures will shift from the above average to below average from today to Saturday by a few to several degrees with the largest difference seen further inland. Locally, the models show a relatively quiet pattern through the next several days. A weak mean trough with an unimpressive embedded disturbance will form over California/Oregon late in the week into early next week as high pressure rebuilds over the central CONUS. This will likely lead to moderated near normal values and fair weather for Sunday and beyond. && .AVIATION...as of 11:10 AM PDT Tuesday...Mostly clear skies are being reported at the terminals this morning. The current visible satellite image is also showing mostly clear skies over land with stratus just off shore. According to the Fort Ord profiler and san Francisco Exploratorium`s radiometer the marine layer is right around 1200 feet deep. With gentle onshore flow expect the marine layer to deepen and impact the terminals overnight. Vicinity of KSFO...VFR conditions are expected to prevail through 0900Z at which point cigs bkn008 are expected to begin impact the terminal. First guess at morning burnoff is 1730Z Wednesday morning. West winds are expected to reach 24 kt this afternoon with gusts to 32 kt possible. Confidence is moderate. SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to KSFO. Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR conditions are expected to prevail today with cigs returning around 3330Z at KMRY and 0700Z at KSNS. Westerly winds are expected to reach 8 kt at KMRY and 14 kt at KSNS. Confidence is moderate. && .MARINE...as of 02:15 PM PDT Tuesday...A strong surface pressure gradient will maintain gusty northwesterly winds across a majority of the coastal waters into the weekend. these winds will also result in large, steep seas through late week. a long period southerly swell will also move into the waters through midweek. && .MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... .Tngt...SCA...Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm SCA...Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm SCA...Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm SCA...Pt Arena to Pigeon Pt 10-60 nm SCA...Pigeon Pt to Pt Piedras Blancas 10-60 nm SCA...Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm SCA...SF Bay until 8 PM && $$ PUBLIC FORECAST: DRP AVIATION: Larry MARINE: Larry Visit us at www.weather.gov/sanfrancisco Follow us on Facebook and twitter at: www.Facebook.com/nwsbayarea www.twitter.com/nwsbayarea
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area 246 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...High pressure over the region will result in continued very warm and dry inland conditions through midweek. Some cooling is anticipated late in the week and more so into the weekend, especially over inland areas. Dry weather and near seasonal temperatures are likely for the Forth of July Holiday Weekend. && .DISCUSSION...as of 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday...Current observed temperatures are ranging wildly this afternoon with 97F at Livermore and 59F at Monterey. Several unofficial sensors are also reporting temperatures at or above 100F throughout the inland vallies to the north, east, and south of the Bay Area. This large temperature gradient is the result of a broad 595DM ridge over the Four Corners region warming from the east and cool marine air cooling from the west, with a thermal trough in between. As of 2PM, temperatures are 2 to 6 degrees cooler than this time yesterday with slightly more cooling seen further inland than near the coast. Visible satellite shows a thinly veiled marine layer across much of coastal California this afternoon. Portions of this layer will mix out into the afternoon before the layer deepens slightly late this evening before pushing inland overnight. Patchy dense fog and drizzle will again be possible for coastal areas tomorrow morning, as well as all of the remaining mornings of this week. The Four Corners ridge is modeled to gradually become flat and weakened over the central CONUS through the remainder of the week. Temperatures will cool aloft as a result and lead to a cooling trend at the surface with temperatures bottoming out on Saturday. Temperatures will shift from the above average to below average from today to Saturday by a few to several degrees with the largest difference seen further inland. Locally, the models show a relatively quiet pattern through the next several days. A weak mean trough with an unimpressive embedded disturbance will form over California/Oregon late in the week into early next week as high pressure rebuilds over the central CONUS. This will likely lead to moderated near normal values and fair weather for Sunday and beyond. && .AVIATION...as of 11:10 AM PDT Tuesday...Mostly clear skies are being reported at the terminals this morning. The current visible satellite image is also showing mostly clear skies over land with stratus just off shore. According to the Fort Ord profiler and san Francisco Exploratorium`s radiometer the marine layer is right around 1200 feet deep. With gentle onshore flow expect the marine layer to deepen and impact the terminals overnight. Vicinity of KSFO...VFR conditions are expected to prevail through 0900Z at which point cigs bkn008 are expected to begin impact the terminal. First guess at morning burnoff is 1730Z Wednesday morning. West winds are expected to reach 24 kt this afternoon with gusts to 32 kt possible. Confidence is moderate. SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to KSFO. Monterey Bay Terminals...VFR conditions are expected to prevail today with cigs returning around 3330Z at KMRY and 0700Z at KSNS. Westerly winds are expected to reach 8 kt at KMRY and 14 kt at KSNS. Confidence is moderate. && .MARINE...as of 02:15 PM PDT Tuesday...A strong surface pressure gradient will maintain gusty northwesterly winds across a majority of the coastal waters into the weekend. these winds will also result in large, steep seas through late week. a long period southerly swell will also move into the waters through midweek. && .MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... .Tngt...SCA...Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm SCA...Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm SCA...Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm SCA...Pt Arena to Pigeon Pt 10-60 nm SCA...Pigeon Pt to Pt Piedras Blancas 10-60 nm SCA...Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm SCA...SF Bay until 8 PM && $$ PUBLIC FORECAST: DRP AVIATION: Larry MARINE: Larry Visit us at www.weather.gov/sanfrancisco Follow us on Facebook and twitter at: www.Facebook.com/nwsbayarea www.twitter.com/nwsbayarea
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 226 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will move somewhat north and east of Arizona this week allowing warm temperatures to prevail, but also bring a couple of weather disturbances through the state. An increase in monsoon moisture will accompany these weather systems, providing a threat of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms the remainder of week. && .DISCUSSION... Tonight through Saturday... Model guidance and water vapor imagery showed the slow moving inverted trof coming out of the Gulf of CA into an area near the Mexican border south of Tucson this afternoon. At the same time, high speed visible satellite imagery showed a mid level disturbance moving toward southeast AZ from southern New Mexico. As a result 2 pm radar and satellite imagery showed a growing area of thunderstorms from Tucson southward. At the same time there were developing thunderstorms over the higher terrain of central AZ north of Phoenix. Meso-scale models forecast gusty outflow winds to move toward Phoenix late today sparking mtn convection east of Phoenix, followed by a stronger outflow boundary from the Tucson area late this evening. As a result, convective outflows and or colliding boundaries could generate a threat of showers and thunderstorms around the greater Phoenix area tonight, similar to last night when Sky Harbor Airport recorded 0.01 inches of rain with heavier amounts around the city. Our southeast CA and southwest AZ zones will be dry for the most part tonight. Another and perhaps stronger upper level disturbance is forecast to move from just off the central Baja west coast tonight, into southern AZ late Wednesday afternoon. Interesting is the MOS precip guidance is forecasting a higher probability of precipitation over the south central AZ, including Phoenix Wednesday evening. More recognizable upper level disturbances, like those currently seen on water vapor imagery 650 miles southwest of San Diego, are forecast to move into southern AZ Thu and Fri. Timing of these disturbances are uncertain, and with the monsoon moisture in place, a broad brush chance approach to afternoon and evening thunderstorms is perhaps the best approach for now. The threat of tstms will be primarily confined to portions of southwest and south central AZ for the tonight through Saturday period. Sunday through Tuesday... Models are forecasting a somewhat airmass to overspread our forecast area, southeast CA to south central AZ, from the west this period. Although drier air pushes into southeast CA and the Colorado River Valley, south central and southeast AZ will still hang on to some remnant moisture. The monsoon moisture boundary retreats east into the far southeast corner of AZ Mon and Tue. However perhaps more importantly Monday through Wednesday is a major adjustment in the upper level flow pattern. Winds at and above 300 mb become broadly anti-cyclonic, devoid of disturbances, and certainly imply a very stable subsident airmass that could kill the threat of afternoon/evening high elevation mountain storms. Therefore this period will be a quiet one, meaning mostly clear skies, warmer afternoon temperatures, with just a very slight chance of an afternoon mountain thunderstorms in southern Gila County bordering the White Mountains. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: For the morning into the afternoon, expect winds to favor the southeast at the terminals, mostly below 12kt with a slight tendency to then turn towards the west. Variable mid/high level cloud decks will move across the greater Phoenix area with most bases aoa 12k feet and most broken decks aoa 15k feet. May see a few light showers or virga from these decks this morning. Once again expect mountain thunderstorms to develop east of Phoenix later this afternoon and evening, a few of which may move into the central deserts and affect the terminals after 03z or so. Will not get overly aggressive in the TAFs this early and will stick with VCTS for now. Have added in earlier than usual switch to east/southeast winds at the TAF sites, mostly after 04z based on expected outflow winds moving into the lower deserts. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: Most convective weather to stay east of the area today and into the evening hours with skies to be mostly sunny. Most cloud decks to be few to sct with bases above 12k feet. Winds will be rather light next 24 hours and occasionally variable but favoring the southeast to south, likely turning back towards the west this evening at KIPL. Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Thursday through Monday... Temperatures will continue to cool as moisture increases, with south central Arizona lowering below 105 degrees and even below 100 after Thursday and into the weekend. Modest warming expected later in the period as air mass dries a bit. Monsoon moisture levels continue to increase over the region with chances for afternoon thunderstorms expected across south central Arizona through Friday and slight chances further west towards the lower Colorado River valley. Over the weekend and into early next week a drying trend from the west is expected and by Sunday isolated thunderstorms should be mostly confined to higher terrain areas to the east of Phoenix. Any storms that develop have the ability to produce lightning, gusty winds, and wetting rains, especially storms that develop across south central Arizona through Friday. Minimum humidities through Friday will be highly elevated, especially west of the lower Colorado River valley, with readings generally 20 to 30 percent, and even higher across southern Gila County. Readings will fall between 15 and 20 percent Saturday, then down mostly below 15 percent Sunday into Monday as drier air spreads over the area from the southwest. Winds each day will be on the light side for the most part, mostly below 15 mph, but will be locally breezy at times from the south west of Maricopa county and along the lower Colorado River valley mainly during the afternoon hours each day. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...Vasquez AVIATION...CB FIRE WEATHER...Deemer/CB
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 213 PM PDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Highs around 100 degrees are expected for lower elevations of western Nevada through Friday as high pressure remains over the Great Basin. A few thunderstorms are possible south of Highway 50 each afternoon through Friday. There could be a few thunderstorms just north of Highway 50 along the eastern Sierra Friday afternoon, but this is highly uncertain for now. For the holiday weekend, dry conditions are expected with temperatures remaining above average. && .SHORT TERM... The primary changes to the forecast today involve trying to better refine the areas where convection may develop through Thursday. The GFS...NAM and HRRR all have development starting closer to the Sierra crest in Mono County this afternoon...then move this development farther north and east into southern Lyon and Mineral counties by this evening. There is a bit less movement to the east for Wednesday afternoon and evening but we also see stronger late afternoon and early evening westerly flow that would aid in developing convection north along the Pine Nut Mountains and possibly as far north as the southern Virginia Range. Overall...the instability is not overwhelming either day...but the very hot temperatures and a weak short wave in the mid levels is providing just enough lift to aid the development of storms. Dry sub-cloud layers today should begin to moisten just a bit by Wednesday. Dry storms today should give way to hybrid storms by Wednesday and slow storm motions will also help produce some brief moderate to heavy downpours in the strongest storms. Gusty outflow winds of up to 50 mph along with dry lightning strikes outside of the rain cores are also possible. Storms redevelop Thursday...but this development could be just a bit farther east initially. Slow storm motions should again help produce rain in the strongest storms...even with dry air near the surface. By Friday the model guidance begins to diverge as the GFS is a bit more progressive with southwest flow aloft shearing most of the moisture to the east while the NAM is digging a trough toward California that is producing backing flow in the mid levels. That allows more moisture to be drawn north and initiates convection along the Sierra and into northeast California. While the ECMWF has a little development in far northern California it mostly supports the GFS. So for now we will leave the higher pops out of the forecast for Friday. Well above normal high temperatures continue into Friday with a few records possible Wednesday and Thursday. Highs reach the 98-103 range in the lower valleys with upper 80s to lower 90s in the Sierra valleys. .LONG TERM...Saturday through Tuesday... Only minimal changes were made to the extended forecast. The GFS is still trying to maintain or rebuild the ridge through Tuesday while the latest ECMWF shows more of an elongated trough along the CA coast. The ECMWF would provide slightly cooler temperatures but the chance for stronger winds. The GFS solution supports higher temperatures and the possibility of weak convection in the favored convergence zones...especially Mono County...each day. The GEFS ensemble members show a variety of solutions with no operational model favored over any other. Thus...we will maintain a dry forecast with slightly above average temperatures through the extended period. Bear in mind this forecast remains highly uncertain and confidence is moderate at best that the current forecast will play out as stated. && .AVIATION... Thunderstorms are possible each afternoon and evening south of Highway 50 from near the Sierra crest east to about Highway 95 through Friday. There is an outside chance storms could develop farther north along the eastern side of the Sierra late Friday afternoon...but there is great uncertainty in this solution for now. Typical zephyr winds are likely each day through Friday with gusts in the 20-25 knot range immediately east of the Sierra. Lighter gusts are expected east of Highway 95 except in the vicinity of thunderstorms. VFR conditions are also likely each day through Friday except in the vicinity of thunderstorms. XX && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...None. CA...None. && $$ For more information from the National Weather Service visit... http://weather.gov/reno
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service San Diego CA
138 PM PDT MON JUN 27 2016 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure aloft will continue hot weather for inland areas through Wednesday followed by slow cooling into next weekend as high pressure aloft weakens and a weak trough of low pressure develops over the Pacific Northwest. Mid and high level moisture associated with a disturbance moving through the region will bring a slight chance of afternoon and early evening thunderstorms with gusty winds through Wednesday, mainly near the mountains. The marine layer and onshore flow will keep coastal high temperatures cooler with areas of night and morning low clouds and fog. && .DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE... SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES... Visible and radar imagery continues to show mid and high level clouds and some light radar returns associated with an easterly wave which is moving through the region. Most of the fast moving light radar returns are resulting in virga or sprinkles. However, a band of stationary showers has developed and persisted on the desert slopes near Lake Arrowhead over the past hour. The 12Z Miramar sounding shows precipitable water having increased to 1.48 inches, although the majority of the moisture appears to be above 700 mb, with a dry layer noted below 700 mb until you reach the 10 deg C marine layer inversion near 1000 ft MSL. It is due to the dry layer below 700 mb that most of the precipitation may evaporate before reaching the ground, which is why most of it will appear as virga or maybe some sprinkles. The amount of cloud cover we have today, and which locations receive more sunlight than others, is playing a factor in how hot we get today. Due to the mid and high clouds, temperatures have been slightly reduced at 1 pm today compared to 1 pm yesterday in the Inland Empire, all mountain areas, the High Deserts and Coachella Valley. However, with some higher surface dewpoints in the area (low 60s shown currently over most coast, valley and desert areas), it will feel more muggy and uncomfortable. Despite the increase in moisture and the wave moving overhead, the elevated instability parameters shown by the forecast models for this afternoon and evening are still not impressive. Also, the strong easterly flow is not conducive for thunderstorms that develop over the mountains to maintain their structure. Thus, the latest HRRR run shows some light shower activity but not much in the way of thunderstorm activity this afternoon. Nevertheless, slight chance for thunderstorms remains in the forecast today for the mountains, with some activity possibly being blown west into the valleys. Meanwhile, marine layer stratus along the coast this morning was able to clear pretty quickly, but has since re-developed along the immediate coast, likely due to the decently strong marine layer inversion. Models show drier air intruding into Southern California Tuesday and Wednesday as flow turns southerly in the wake of the easterly wave, resulting in less of a chance for afternoon and early evening mountain thunderstorms on those days. However, the clearer skies and strong ridge over the four corners region should result in hotter conditions, with highs 5-10 degrees above normal. Continued hot for inland areas on Wednesday, with 850 mb temperatures in the deserts reaching 27-29 deg C, and near 26-27 deg C in the valleys. A Heat Advisory continues for the deserts, mountains and valleys through Wednesday. Despite the ridge weakening on Thursday, looks like the 850 mb temperatures do not decrease too much, so hot conditions may continue. Cooler Friday into the weekend as a trough moves into the Pacific Northwest, with a deepening of the marine layer as well, resulting in night and morning stratus into the coast and portions of the valleys. && .AVIATION... 271950Z...Coast/Valleys...Areas of sct-bkn clouds based 800-1200 feet MSL with tops around 1500 ft MSL over the coastal waters otherwise mostly clear. After 28/0z this evening low clouds bkn- ovc based 800-1200 feet MSL with tops around 1500 ft MSL will push inland about 15 miles with local visibilities 2-4 miles along higher coastal terrain/mesas. There is a moderate risk that the coastal low clouds will again be patchy so the confidence is low on the timing and duration of the bkn low clouds at KSAN tonight. Some low clouds may temporarily move in on the sea breeze but will leave out of the KSAN TAF. Isolated SHRA/TSRA near the mountains through 28/00z this afternoon with CB bases near 9000 ft MSL and tops to near 35000 ft MSL. Mountains and Deserts...Sct-bkn clouds based around 9000 feet MSL with unrestricted visibilities. This afternoon through 28/00Z isolated SHRA/TSRA with cloud bases 9000 ft MSL and tops to 35000 ft MSL will be possible over the mountains. && .MARINE... 100 pm...No hazardous marine weather is expected through Friday. && .BEACHES... 100 pm...The long period south swell will continue to decrease, but 3-5 foot surf will continue on the southwest facing beaches through tonight. The surf will lower to 2 to 4 feet Tuesday. Another long- period south swell from 200 degrees will bring 4-7 foot surf to southwest facing beaches late Wednesday and Thursday along with dangerous rip currents. && .FIRE WEATHER... Slight chance of dry lightning over the mountains and portions of the valleys this afternoon and evening, as an easterly wave moves through the region. Drying will start to take place Tuesday, with maybe just enough moisture leftover on Tuesday and Wednesday to produce isolated afternoon thunderstorms over the mountains. && .SKYWARN... Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions. && .SGX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM PDT Wednesday for Apple and Lucerne Valleys-Coachella Valley-Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Diego County Deserts- San Diego County Mountains-San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning. PZ...None. && $$ PUBLIC/FIRE WEATHER...Harrison AVIATION/MARINE...Small
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service San Diego CA
852 AM PDT MON JUN 27 2016 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure aloft will continue hot weather for inland areas through Wednesday followed by slow cooling into next weekend as high pressure aloft weakens and a weak trough of low pressure develops over the Pacific Northwest. Mid and high level moisture associated with a disturbance moving through the region will bring a slight chance of afternoon and early evening thunderstorms with gusty winds through Wednesday, mainly near the mountains. The marine layer and onshore flow will keep coastal high temperatures cooler with areas of night and morning low clouds and fog. && .DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE... SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES... Visible and radar imagery is showing an easterly upper level wave moving through the region, bringing mid and high level clouds and some light radar returns which are likely producing only virga or sprinkles. The 12Z Miramar sounding shows precipitable water having increased to 1.48 inches, although the majority of the moisture appears to be above 700 mb, with a dry layer noted below 700 mb until you reach the 10 deg C marine layer inversion near 1000 ft MSL. It is due to the dry layer below 700 mb that most of the precipitation may evaporate before reaching the ground, which is why most of it will appear as virga or maybe some sprinkles. These clouds will continue to move through Southern California through the day, although the moisture field from the NAM12 shows clearing skies intruding in from the south in the afternoon. The amount of cloud cover we have today, and which locations receive more sunlight than others, will play a factor in not only how hot we get today, but also the amount of day-time heating induced instability. Due to the mid and high clouds, temperatures may be reduced slightly compared to yesterday. However, with some higher surface dewpoints in the area (low 60s shown currently over most coast, valley and desert areas), it may feel more muggy and uncomfortable. Despite the increase in moisture and the wave moving overhead, the elevated instability parameters shown by the forecast models for this afternoon are not impressive. Also, the strong easterly flow is not conducive for thunderstorms that develop over the mountains to maintain their structure. Thus, the latest HRRR run doesn`t show much shower or thunderstorm activity this afternoon. Nevertheless, a slight chance for thunderstorms remains in the forecast today for the mountains, with some activity possibly being blown west into the valleys. Meanwhile, marine layer stratus was able to develop over coastal areas today. Stratus should be able to clear out of inland areas by late morning, although the decently strong inversion could keep some low clouds hanging around at the coast. Models show drier air intruding into Southern California Tuesday as flow turns southerly in the wake of the easterly wave, resulting in less of a chance for afternoon mountain thunderstorms. However, the clearer skies and strong ridge over the four corners region should result in hotter conditions, with highs 5-10 degrees above normal. Continued hot for inland areas on Wednesday, with 850 mb temperatures in the deserts reaching 27-29 deg C, and near 26-27 deg C in the valleys. A Heat Advisory continues for the deserts, mountains and valleys through Wednesday. Despite the ridge weakening on Thursday, looks like the 850 mb temperatures do not decrease much, if at all, so hot conditions may continue. Cooler Friday into the weekend as a trough moves into the Pacific Northwest, with a deepening of the marine layer as well, resulting in night and morning stratus into the coast and portions of the valleys. && .AVIATION... 271530Z...Coast/Valleys...Areas of sct-bkn clouds based 800-1200 feet MSL with tops around 1800 ft MSL will burn back to out over the coastal waters. Local vis 2-4 miles along higher coastal terrain/mesas. After 28/06z this evening low clouds bkn-ovc based 800-1200 feet MSL with tops around 1800 ft MSL will push inland about 15 miles with local visibilities 2-4 miles along higher coastal terrain/mesas. There is a moderate risk that the coastal low clouds will again be patchy so the confidence is low on the timing and duration of the bkn low clouds at KSAN tonight. Mountains and Deserts...Sct-bkn clouds based around 10000 feet MSL with unrestricted visibilities. This afternoon between 27/19Z and 28/00Z isolated SHRA/TSRA with cloud bases 9000 ft MSL and tops to 35000 ft MSL will be possible over the mountains. && .MARINE... 830 am...No hazardous marine weather is expected through Friday. && .BEACHES... 830 am...The long period south swell will continue to decrease, but 3-5 foot surf will continue on the southwest facing beaches today. The surf will lower to 2 to 4 feet Tuesday. Another long-period south swell from 200 degrees will bring 4-7 foot surf to southwest facing beaches late Wednesday and Thursday along with dangerous rip currents. && .FIRE WEATHER... Slight chance of dry lightning over the mountains and portions of the valleys this afternoon and evening, as an easterly wave moves through the region. Drying will take place Tuesday through Wednesday, with maybe just enough moisture leftover on Tuesday to produce isolated afternoon thunderstorms over the mountains. && .SKYWARN... Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions. && .SGX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM PDT Wednesday for Apple and Lucerne Valleys-Coachella Valley-Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Diego County Deserts- San Diego County Mountains-San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning. PZ...None. && $$ PUBLIC/FIRE WEATHER...Harrison AVIATION/MARINE/BEACHES...Small
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Topeka KS
612 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 ...Update to aviation forecast discussion... .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Wednesday) Issued at 320 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 19Z water vapor shows a broad upper ridge over the four corners region and an upper trough moving east of the great lakes region. This sets up northwest flow from the northern Rockies through the central plains. At the surface, weak ridging stretches from the upper Midwest into northeast KS, but there is not a strong gradient in temps or dewpoints denoting a synoptic frontal boundary. Surface obs suggest the better low level convergence is over eastern CO with the easterly upslope winds. Think the festering convection over south central KS is a result of a weak MCV from the morning convection. The forecast for tonight and Wednesday is focused on convection currently ongoing over eastern WY. The NAM and GFS indicate a convectively induced vort max for this evening`s convection over the high plains should propagate across the forecast area by Wednesday morning. However the ECMWF and GEM are much less obvious with any MCV. Additionally the high resolution models that do a better job of simulating convection seem to be mixed on coverage of possible storms overnight. The overall expectation is for the convection over WY to move towards northern KS late tonight. Models indicate that mid level lapse rates should still be steep enough for some elevated instability mainly across central KS. The low level jet is also progged to gradually veer to the southwest by 12Z which could air in an MCS holding together. Based on storms from this morning, think there could be a damaging wind risk if a decent cold pool forms with the MCS. Because of the uncertainty in storm coverage, the forecast has POPs increasing to 50 percent by the early morning hours Wednesday. But it appears the north central KS counties stand the better chance for precip as the instability axis and nose of the low level jet appear to be set up across central KS. If indeed an MCS forms, showers and storms could persist over part of the forecast area through the morning and into the early afternoon. Again the main uncertainty is where the possible MCS will track so POPs through the day Wednesday have been held in the chance category. Lows tonight are forecast to be in the mid 60s. Highs Wednesday are expected to be in the lower and middle 80s due to the weak surface ridging and possible cloud cover. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday Night through Tuesday) Issued at 320 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 Moderate precipitation chances continue to inhabit these periods. Northwest flow aloft continues into the end of the week. Isentropic lift is depicted on GFS and NAM on the 305 to 310K surfaces Wednesday night and may produce convection into Thursday, mainly in southern areas. This is where the greater lift is progged, as lower level winds increase ahead of a cold front pushing south into the area. Front looks to hold up not far to the south for continued thunderstorm chances Thursday night into Friday night as flow becomes more zonal aloft for continued isentropic lift setup. Upper wave is fairly well agreed upon to move east across the region Saturday night into Sunday. Still appears a general drying trend into the early week with ridging increasing aloft. Convergence along the Thursday front looks weak, and with some convection potentially lingering into the day, questions on instability remain, but at least a small risk for pulse severe weather exists. Next best chance for severe weather looks to be Saturday and Saturday night with potential for the boundary to lift back in. Perhaps the bigger impacts could come from heavy rain with several periods of rain potential, good moisture in place, and front nearly parallel to upper flow. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday Evening) Issued at 610 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 There is a chance for showers and storms tomorrow morning through the afternoon. There could brief periods of moderate rainfall that cause MVFR conditions. Overall confidence in the exact location and timing is low at this point. && .TOP Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...Wolters LONG TERM...65 AVIATION...Sanders
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Dodge City KS 600 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 ...Updated Aviation... .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday) Issued at 305 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 For this evening, an outflow boundary will continue push south of Dodge City, with some strong to severe storms possible. Hail to quarter size and heavy rainfall possible. A supercell or two is also possible with larger hail with some stronger upper winds today than yesterday. Then later tonight a Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCS) is forecast to move in from Nebraska. Will carry highest chances across south central sections then blend smaller chances west. Severe storms are not expected later tonight, except for some strong winds to 50 mph and small hail, lots of lightning and areas of heavy rainfall. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 60s. For Wednesday, upper level northwest flow will continue with a cold front near the Oklahoma border. Will carry 20 to 30 percent chances wtih the better chances south and east of Dodge City. South winds shift to the east and northeast with a cold front. Highs look to be from the upper 80s near and east of Dodge City with mid 90s for parts of southwest Kansas. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday) Issued at 323 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 For the period of Wednesday Night into next Tuesday, an active northwest flow pattern continues into Thursday then begins to flatten out with more shortwaves into Sunday. By Monday and into Tuesday chances for rainfall become less as any jet stream features shift north. Areas of thunderstorms are forecast daily with the best chances mainly in the evenings and overnights into Sunday. Highs will be cooler, with mainly lower to mid 80s into Sunday, then warming to around 90 to 95 on Monday and Tuesday. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 60s. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening) Issued at 600 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 Thunderstorms have ended temporarily across SW KS, but outflow boundaries left over from previous storms will make winds variable and erratic at the terminals early this evening. VFR will prevail early tonight along with SE surface winds. A large thunderstorm complex entering NW Nebraska at 23z will race SE overnight, with model consensus suggesting it will begin to affect the terminals during the 06-07z Wed timeframe. Primary impact from this complex will be gusty outflow winds to near 50 kts. HRRR solution suggests a weakening squall line will extend from near HYS to near GCK during this timeframe, and used this as a first approximation for TEMPO groups for convective wind gusts. Highest confidence on impacts to aviation through Wednesday morning is at HYS. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DDC 67 91 67 88 / 30 20 30 40 GCK 66 93 67 87 / 20 20 20 40 EHA 66 95 66 89 / 10 20 30 50 LBL 67 94 67 90 / 20 30 30 50 HYS 66 87 65 84 / 50 40 40 40 P28 68 90 69 90 / 30 30 40 50 && .DDC Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...Kruse LONG TERM...Kruse AVIATION...Turner
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Topeka KS
309 PM CDT MON JUN 27 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Tuesday) Issued at 309 PM CDT MON JUN 27 2016 A broad upper level trough was located across the upper Great Lakes and will amplify as it digs southeast across lower MI. The upper flow will become more northwesterly and a short-wave trough across eastern WY and will translate southeast across western NE into central KS by the mid morning hours of Tuesday. A weak front extend from central IA, southwest into south central NE, then recurved northwest into the NE PNHDL. There may be enough surface convergence ahead of the surface front across southeast NE for isolated to scattered thunderstorms to develop late this afternoon or early evening. The HRRR model seems to have a handle on the thunderstorms developing across southwest IA, and shows thunderstorms developing southwest ahead of the weak surface boundary, and then moving southeast across much of northeast KS. If thunderstorms manage to develop across southern NE, they will then move southeast into the northern counties of the CWA. MLCAPE will be around 3,000 J/kg and the 0-6 KM effective shear will be 30 KTS. Therefore, any isolated thunderstorms late this afternoon and early evening across the northern counties of the CWA may be strong to severe with the primary hazard being large hail and damaging wind gusts. If thunderstorms do develop along the weak front late this afternoon and early evening they should weaken and dissipate through the mid evening hours. Tonight, The mesoscale models are showing two thunderstorm complexes developing across the high plains of eastern CO and western NE. Most numerical models show these thunderstorm complexes moving south- southeast across western and central KS, remaining just west of the CWA. However, the NMM and GFS show the northern thunderstorm complex that develops across the western NE panhandle, moving southeast across northwest KS into the western counties of the CWA between 12Z and 15Z TUE. If an MCS manages to develop it may be able to maintain itself due the sufficient MUCAPE and vertical windshear. An MCS may bring the threat for damaging wind gusts to north central KS near sunrise through the mid morning hours of Tuesday. Tuesday, after the potential for morning thunderstorms across north central KS, skies will become partly cloudy. It looks dry for the remainder of the day. Upslope flow across the higher terrain of northeast CO, eastern WY and the western NE panhandle will cause scattered thunderstorms to develop and these storms will organize into an MCS late Tuesday afternoon across the central high plains. Highs Tuesday afternoon will reach the mid to upper 80s. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday Night through Monday) Issued at 309 PM CDT MON JUN 27 2016 In general, chances for precip remain in the forecast through the extended period as models continue to show a conditionally unstable airmass with possible pertibations within the flow. Although confidence in storms occurring at any give time are below normal as the forecast should be driven primarily by mesoscale features, and thunderstorms in one period could affect the next couple periods. For Tuesday night through Thursday, the better chances for thunderstorms looks to be Wednesday or Wednesday night as there continues to be signs for a vort max to move through northwest flow aloft. However there are timing differences with vort max as well as with the location of a possible convective system among the various solutions. Because of this, POPs where kept in the 30 to 50 percent range. Models continue to support temps a little closer to or below normal temps with highs in the lower and mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. For Thursday night through the weekend, the ECMWF and GFS are showing a little better defined cold front moving into the area and stalling out across east central or southern KS as the synoptic pattern becomes a little less amplified and flow aloft becomes a little more westerly. Since there is not a big change in airmass with the front pushing through well south of the forecast area, potential instability remains possible with disturbances coming off the Rockies. Therefore it is difficult to rule out precip chances through this period as well. The reenforcement of surface ridging should keep highs in the lower and mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s through the weekend. By next Monday, there are indications for shortwave ridging to develop over the central plains and the thermal ridge to build back in from the southwest. With no obvious forcing seen in the models, have trended POPs into the slight chance and temps should be warming up again with some lower 90s possible. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday Afternoon) Issued at 1238 PM CDT MON JUN 27 2016 Scattered CU will develop at the terminals with bases of 4,000 to 6,000 feet. There may be an thunderstorm around the terminals late this afternoon or this evening. High clouds from a thunderstorm complex moving southeast across central KS will probably prevent ground fog from forming by sunrise. However, if skies remain clear there could be some patchy dense ground fog around the terminals near sunrise Tuesday morning. && .TOP Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...Gargan LONG TERM...Wolters AVIATION...Gargan Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 246 AM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Monsoon activity will be on the increase over the next few days as a moist southerly flow develops across Arizona. Look for showers and thunderstorms each day with the best potential for heavy rain arriving on Thursday and Friday. && .DISCUSSION...High pressure centered over the four corners region will gradually drift to a position over Texas during the next few days. For today...ample moisture is situated across northern Arizona. As daytime heating progresses and instability builds another round of thunderstorms is expected across northern Arizona. Storms will be most numerous along and south of a line extending from the Grand Canyon southeastward through Flagstaff and Show Low. Heavy rain will be possible with stronger storms with 1 to 2 inch downpours possible. As always gusty winds, small hail and cloud- to-ground lightning with storms. Pretty typical monsoon stuff. For Thursday through Saturday...Southerly flow will deliver deep monsoon moisture with widespread showers and thunderstorms. The deepest moisture will be located from the Mogollon Rim southward where storms will be the most numerous. At this time the best combination of flow, instability and moisture will be on Thursday and Friday roughly along and west of a Payson-Flagstaff-Grand Canyon line. Looks like the highest potential for heavy rain producing storms so far this monsoon. Stay tuned as details emerge. From Sunday onward...A drier and stabilizing westerly flow develops. Most areas across northern Arizona will see only a slight chance of showers and storms. The only exception will be the mountain areas along the Arizona/New Mexico border where lingering moisture will result in scattered storms. && .AVIATION...For the 12Z Package...Isolated -SHRA possible this morning. Scattered to numerous TSRA expected to develop aft 17Z with the focus of activity over the higher terrain of northern AZ. Locally heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds possible with storms. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...An active monsoon weather pattern will continue through the week with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms each day. An increase in moisture will raise the threat for heavy rain by Thursday. Gusty outflow winds also possible near any showers or storms. Friday through Sunday...Active monsoon weather continues through Saturday with close to average temperatures. A downturn in thunderstorm activity is possible by Sunday or early next week. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && $$ PUBLIC...McCollum AVIATION...MCS For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 915 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. A drying trend will then limit thunderstorms to mainly near the New Mexico border by early next week. && .DISCUSSION...Late afternoon activity was a little frisky in spots with localized heavy rainers, mostly across eastern Pima county. Ran a quick update earlier this evening to switch focus for the remainder of tonight to account for storms overnight. Regional radar at 9 pm showed scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across eastern Pinal county east across Graham and Greenlee counties. The HRRR runs this evening have been rather consistent with the scenario of overnight storms pushing to the southwest. Areas that didn`t see any storms earlier today, especially parts of eastern Pima county, still have some elevated CAPE to be utilized. With PW values in the 1.20" to 1.60" range across the area, locally heavy rainers are more of a concern overnight versus severe. South of the border across Sonora Mexico, satellite imagery showed a large complex of thunderstorms with clouds tops as cold as -82C. For comparison the thunderstorms near Tucson this afternoon had cloud tops as cold at -60C. Thunderstorm outflows to move into the Gulf of California which will likely initiate a gulf surge overnight thus bringing an increase of lower level moisture for Wednesday and Thursday. With the potential for this influx of low-level moisture to increase across the lower deserts of southern Arizona, we are looking at an uptick in stronger thunderstorms on Wednesday, especially across Pinal, Pima and Santa Cruz counties. && .AVIATION...VALID THRU 30/06Z. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will push southwest during the overnight hours. Of the terminal sites, KTUS and KOLS have the best chance to see thunderstorms overnight. MVFR conditions possible near some heavy rainers, otherwise VFR conditions with plenty of debris clouds around. Debris clouds to diminish after sunrise Wednesday morning with scattered thunderstorms once again developing near the higher terrain Wednesday afternoon. Wind speeds generally less than 12 kts except 30-35 kts in and around stronger thunderstorms. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...With plenty of moisture and instability around there will be daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. The strongest storms will be capable of very strong winds and heavy downpours especially during the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Moisture will diminish across the region Saturday onward resulting in a decrease in the amount of convection each day. By Monday any isolated convection will be limited to the mountains near the eastern border and over the White Mountains. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 909 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Monsoon activity will be on the increase over the next few days as a moist southerly flow develops across Arizona. Look for showers and thunderstorms each day with the best potential for heavy rain arriving on Thursday and Friday. && .DISCUSSION... Isolated showers and thunderstorms will continue this evening and overnight across northern Arizona, with most activity looking to be across the White Mountains for at least the next couple hours. Storms are anticipated to become more numerous again by late Wednesday morning and afternoon. && .PREV DISCUSSION /425 PM MST/... For Wednesday through Friday...The high center gradually shifts to a position over Texas with a southerly flow developing across Arizona. Model forecasts continue to indicate that this moist southerly wind flow will draw deeper moisture into the region from over Northwest Mexico and the Gulf of California. At this point, it looks like Thursday and Friday show the best potential for storms producing very heavy rainfall. From Saturday onward...The flow becomes more westerly with origins from over the eastern Pacific Ocean. Under this regime look for a bit of drying and stabilization with a downturn in thunderstorm activity anticipated. && .AVIATION... For the 06Z Package...A few showers and thunderstorms may continue this evening and overnight, mainly south of a KPAN- KSJN line. More numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to redevelop after 17Z Wednesday. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER... An active monsoon pattern is now in place across the district. This means daily shower and thunderstorm activity. Storm motion become nearly stationary and terrain driven by Wednesday and Thursday. Expect erratic and gusty winds near showers and storms. Friday through Sunday...Expect active monsoon weather with scattered showers and thunderstorms each day. Activity may decrease somewhat by Sunday as drier westerly flow develops, but this remains to be seen. Temperatures will be right around seasonal averages. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && $$ PUBLIC...KD/RR AVIATION...KD FIRE WEATHER...Peterson For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 805 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will move somewhat north and east of Arizona this week allowing warm temperatures to prevail, but also bring a couple of weather disturbances through the state. An increase in monsoon moisture will accompany these weather systems, providing a threat of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms the remainder of week. && .DISCUSSION... Evening objective analysis depicted several low amplitude waves captured within easterly flow through the SW Conus with the most notable vorticity center through eastern New Mexico. 00Z KTWC sounding sampled a nice looking 10 g/kg mixing ratio through the boundary layer with little inhibition while KPSR showed 8 g/kg with more capping around the H7 layer. Despite the MLcape near 500 J/kg in a weakly capped environment allowing scattered deep convection surround the forecast area, distinct subsidence more downstream from ascent structures have caused much of storms over SE AZ and northern AZ to fizzle. However, more organized storms have materialized through eastern AZ and activity continues to percolate through Gila county. Numerous weak outflow boundaries were converging through the lower elevations of central AZ likely modifying the environment. In addition, easterly steering flow through the H7-H5 layer should also advect a lobe of better midlevel moisture towards the forecast area. Thus, feel activity will continue later into the evening and overnight hours associated with shortwave activity. Have made some minor adjustment to pops based on this analysis. && .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... /305 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016/ Tonight through Saturday... Another and perhaps stronger upper level disturbance is forecast to move from just off the central Baja west coast tonight, into southern AZ late Wednesday afternoon. Interesting is the MOS precip guidance is forecasting a higher probability of precipitation over the south central AZ, including Phoenix Wednesday evening. More recognizable upper level disturbances, like those currently seen on water vapor imagery 650 miles southwest of San Diego, are forecast to move into southern AZ Thu and Fri. Timing of these disturbances are uncertain, and with the monsoon moisture in place, a broad brush chance approach to afternoon and evening thunderstorms is perhaps the best approach for now. The threat of tstms will be primarily confined to portions of southwest and south central AZ for the tonight through Saturday period. Sunday through Tuesday... Models are forecasting a somewhat airmass to overspread our forecast area, southeast CA to south central AZ, from the west this period. Although drier air pushes into southeast CA and the Colorado River Valley, south central and southeast AZ will still hang on to some remnant moisture. The monsoon moisture boundary retreats east into the far southeast corner of AZ Mon and Tue. However perhaps more importantly Monday through Wednesday is a major adjustment in the upper level flow pattern. Winds at and above 300 mb become broadly anti-cyclonic, devoid of disturbances, and certainly imply a very stable subsident airmass that could kill the threat of afternoon/evening high elevation mountain storms. Therefore this period will be a quiet one, meaning mostly clear skies, warmer afternoon temperatures, with just a very slight chance of an afternoon mountain thunderstorms in southern Gila County bordering the White Mountains. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: Converging outflow boundaries and lift from waves approaching from the east should allow thunderstorms to develop east of terminal sites, and move towards/through the metro during the late evening hours. Somewhat lower confidence in coverage of actual storms near terminal sites, but shifting outflow winds from an E/NE direction seem more likely. Periods of variable directions are also probable after storms/outflow pass until a predominant east flow develops tonight. Cigs will remain in a 10K ft range with/around these storms. Probability and coverage of storms appears even better late Wednesday afternoon and evening with more direct impact likely for terminals. Morning and early afternoon hours should remain quiet with higher cloud decks, light easterly winds, and minimal to no aviation impacts. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: Little aviation impacts through Wednesday afternoon with storms remaining well east of SE CA. While surface winds will favor a south and southeasterly direction, outflow boundaries from distant storms may cause abrupt wind shifts, or variable winds overnight. Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Thursday through Tuesday... Enhanced humidities and storm chances will continue into Saturday. Humidities will trend down substantially Sunday and Monday. In fact, minimum humidities on the low deserts will be near 10 percent by Monday. Similarly, overnight recovery will trend down to only fair. Thunderstorm chances will be confined to the higher terrain of south- central AZ Sun-Tue and be only slight. Apart from strong erratic winds associated with thunderstorms, southerly breeziness can be expected over southwest AZ and southeast CA Thu-Sat(less so over south-central AZ). Winds will favor southwesterly directions next week. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...MO/Vasquez AVIATION...MO FIRE WEATHER...AJ
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 718 PM MST TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Scattered showers and thunderstorms will occur through tonight, with the favored areas south of Tucson and across the White Mountains. Increasing moisture and a favorable flow regime will then provide even greater coverage of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday through Friday. A drying trend will then limit thunderstorms to mainly near the New Mexico border by early next week. && .UPDATE...Ran a quick update to the forecast based on latest runs of the HRRR which has been rather consistent on a rim shot to move across the area during the overnight hours. Will continue to monitor. && .DISCUSSION...Visible satellite imagery and KEMX WSR-88D showed isolated to scattered convection this afternoon, mainly south and west of I-10. So far the storms seem to be relatively tame, since they are being sheared apart by low level easterly flow and upper level southwesterly flow. It`s still feeling soupy out there with sfc dewpoints holding steady in the 50s. 28/18z CIRA LPW indicated the bulk of moisture was located near the international border and across the western half of Pima County. Not as much activity as anticipated over the White Mountains, but the latest runs of the HRRR/WRFEMS are hinting at convection developing over that area later on this evening, so there`s still time. Overall, it still looks like scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue into this evening, with isolated activity into the overnight hours. The 28/12Z runs of the GFS/ECMWF remain in very good agreement through at least the first part of the holiday weekend. The anticipation is for an upswing in convective activity starting tomorrow, with a focus on Thursday into Friday especially. High pressure aloft currently located near the preferred Four Corners region will remain quasi-stationary through tomorrow, with a shift toward the east and southeast through the end of the work week. In response, expect upper level flow to becoming increasingly southeasterly and then southerly, which will really aid in ramping up our moisture in the form of a Gulf surge. As such, wouldn`t be surprised to see sfc dewpoints jump into the mid to upper 60s as early as Wednesday night into Thursday morning. In addition, the GFS/NAM indicate PWAT will jump to between 1.6 and 2 inches by 00Z Friday, with the highest values across western Pima County. Thereafter, PWAT values look to drop to around 1.25 inches by 12z Saturday, and continue to decrease into early next week as we lose our monsoonal flow and a weak upper ridge/westerly flow develops over the southwestern deserts. This will shut us down for a few days with regard to convection, with the exception being areas adjacent to the NM border and across the mountains. The GFS then tries to reconsolidate high pressure over the four corners while the ECMWF maintains westerly flow. As such, have continued with just slight chance PoPs for eastern zones at the end of the forecast period. We will also have to keep an eye on the tropics, as both the GFS/ECMWF bring a system southwest of the Baja tip late next week. Something to watch. Expect a slow decrease in daytime temperatures through Friday, when highs will top out 5-10 degrees below normal. We will then warm right back up to normal levels by Sunday into early next week. && .AVIATION...VALID THRU 30/00Z. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be in and around the terminals through 29/08Z. KTUS, KDUG, and KOLS have the best chance of seeing activity. VFR conditions will be the rule, however, brief MVFR conditions in heavy rainfall are possible. Additionally, wind gusts upwards of 30 kts will be possible in and around the strongest storms. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...With plenty of moisture and instability we will have daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. The strongest storms will be capable of very strong winds and heavy downpours especially during the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Moisture will diminish across the region Saturday onward resulting in a decrease in the amount of convection each day. By Monday any isolated convection will be limited to the mountains near the eastern border and over the White Mountains. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1134 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 ...Update to aviation forecast discussion... .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Wednesday) Issued at 320 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 19Z water vapor shows a broad upper ridge over the four corners region and an upper trough moving east of the great lakes region. This sets up northwest flow from the northern Rockies through the central plains. At the surface, weak ridging stretches from the upper Midwest into northeast KS, but there is not a strong gradient in temps or dewpoints denoting a synoptic frontal boundary. Surface obs suggest the better low level convergence is over eastern CO with the easterly upslope winds. Think the festering convection over south central KS is a result of a weak MCV from the morning convection. The forecast for tonight and Wednesday is focused on convection currently ongoing over eastern WY. The NAM and GFS indicate a convectively induced vort max for this evening`s convection over the high plains should propagate across the forecast area by Wednesday morning. However the ECMWF and GEM are much less obvious with any MCV. Additionally the high resolution models that do a better job of simulating convection seem to be mixed on coverage of possible storms overnight. The overall expectation is for the convection over WY to move towards northern KS late tonight. Models indicate that mid level lapse rates should still be steep enough for some elevated instability mainly across central KS. The low level jet is also progged to gradually veer to the southwest by 12Z which could air in an MCS holding together. Based on storms from this morning, think there could be a damaging wind risk if a decent cold pool forms with the MCS. Because of the uncertainty in storm coverage, the forecast has POPs increasing to 50 percent by the early morning hours Wednesday. But it appears the north central KS counties stand the better chance for precip as the instability axis and nose of the low level jet appear to be set up across central KS. If indeed an MCS forms, showers and storms could persist over part of the forecast area through the morning and into the early afternoon. Again the main uncertainty is where the possible MCS will track so POPs through the day Wednesday have been held in the chance category. Lows tonight are forecast to be in the mid 60s. Highs Wednesday are expected to be in the lower and middle 80s due to the weak surface ridging and possible cloud cover. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday Night through Tuesday) Issued at 320 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 Moderate precipitation chances continue to inhabit these periods. Northwest flow aloft continues into the end of the week. Isentropic lift is depicted on GFS and NAM on the 305 to 310K surfaces Wednesday night and may produce convection into Thursday, mainly in southern areas. This is where the greater lift is progged, as lower level winds increase ahead of a cold front pushing south into the area. Front looks to hold up not far to the south for continued thunderstorm chances Thursday night into Friday night as flow becomes more zonal aloft for continued isentropic lift setup. Upper wave is fairly well agreed upon to move east across the region Saturday night into Sunday. Still appears a general drying trend into the early week with ridging increasing aloft. Convergence along the Thursday front looks weak, and with some convection potentially lingering into the day, questions on instability remain, but at least a small risk for pulse severe weather exists. Next best chance for severe weather looks to be Saturday and Saturday night with potential for the boundary to lift back in. Perhaps the bigger impacts could come from heavy rain with several periods of rain potential, good moisture in place, and front nearly parallel to upper flow. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday Night) Issued at 1130 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 There is a complex of storms in central NE that is moving southeastward. There is a chance they hold together and make it to the taf sites. Isolated showers and storms out ahead of this line are also possible. A few models are developing another round tomorrow afternoon although confidence is low at this point. && .TOP Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...Wolters LONG TERM...65 AVIATION...Sanders
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Dodge City KS 808 PM CDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 808 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 Increased thunderstorm coverage tonight across mainly the northern and western zones. Per SPC coordination and MCD, a severe thunderstorm watch will likely be issued soon for the northern zones. Damaging winds are likely from this expected squall line. HRRR suggests a track almost due south along the instability axis along the CO/KS border. with the storms reaching the Elkhart vicinity around 3 AM. Included severe/damaging wind wording in the grids starting at 1 AM for mainly the northern zones. UPDATE Issued at 623 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 All thunderstorms have ended this evening, and have removed all pops from the grids for the next several hours. Earlier thunderstorm complex has exited into Oklahoma. Various outflow boundaries are seen on radar, but further initiation is unlikely through 10 pm. An impressive complex of storms is entering NW Nebraska currently, producing wind gusts of 60-80 mph. Latest HRRR solution suggests a squall line will begin to affect northern zones around midnight, with severe wind gusts possible. Left pops alone for tonight for now, but major increases in pops may be necessary (especially NE) after midnight, pending the track the expected MCS takes. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday) Issued at 305 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 For this evening, an outflow boundary will continue push south of Dodge City, with some strong to severe storms possible. Hail to quarter size and heavy rainfall possible. A supercell or two is also possible with larger hail with some stronger upper winds today than yesterday. Then later tonight a Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCS) is forecast to move in from Nebraska. Will carry highest chances across south central sections then blend smaller chances west. Severe storms are not expected later tonight, except for some strong winds to 50 mph and small hail, lots of lightning and areas of heavy rainfall. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 60s. For Wednesday, upper level northwest flow will continue with a cold front near the Oklahoma border. Will carry 20 to 30 percent chances wtih the better chances south and east of Dodge City. South winds shift to the east and northeast with a cold front. Highs look to be from the upper 80s near and east of Dodge City with mid 90s for parts of southwest Kansas. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday) Issued at 323 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 For the period of Wednesday Night into next Tuesday, an active northwest flow pattern continues into Thursday then begins to flatten out with more shortwaves into Sunday. By Monday and into Tuesday chances for rainfall become less as any jet stream features shift north. Areas of thunderstorms are forecast daily with the best chances mainly in the evenings and overnights into Sunday. Highs will be cooler, with mainly lower to mid 80s into Sunday, then warming to around 90 to 95 on Monday and Tuesday. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 60s. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening) Issued at 600 PM CDT Tue Jun 28 2016 Thunderstorms have ended temporarily across SW KS, but outflow boundaries left over from previous storms will make winds variable and erratic at the terminals early this evening. VFR will prevail early tonight along with SE surface winds. A large thunderstorm complex entering NW Nebraska at 23z will race SE overnight, with model consensus suggesting it will begin to affect the terminals during the 06-07z Wed timeframe. Primary impact from this complex will be gusty outflow winds to near 50 kts. HRRR solution suggests a weakening squall line will extend from near HYS to near GCK during this timeframe, and used this as a first approximation for TEMPO groups for convective wind gusts. Highest confidence on impacts to aviation through Wednesday morning is at HYS. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DDC 68 91 67 88 / 50 20 30 40 GCK 66 93 67 87 / 60 20 20 40 EHA 67 95 66 89 / 60 20 30 50 LBL 68 94 67 90 / 40 30 30 50 HYS 66 87 65 84 / 60 40 40 40 P28 69 90 69 90 / 30 30 40 50 && .DDC Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...Turner SHORT TERM...Kruse LONG TERM...Kruse AVIATION...Turner Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 528 AM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .UPDATE...To Aviation and Fire Weather Discussions... && .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will move somewhat north and east of Arizona this week allowing warm temperatures to prevail, but also bring a couple of weather disturbances through the state. An increase in monsoon moisture will accompany these weather systems, providing a threat of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms the remainder of week. As moisture increases over south central Arizona, high temperatures will fall with some locations dropping below 100 degrees on Friday. There will be a return to drier southwest flow aloft over the weekend and into early next week which will limit thunderstorms to higher terrain areas east of Phoenix by Sunday. High temperatures will steadily climb late this week and early next week as the atmosphere becomes drier. && .DISCUSSION... Strong high pressure aloft remained situated across the desert southwest early this morning with the main high center located near the four corners towards far north central Arizona. Typical monsoonal circulation has been established with southeast flow spreading increasing moisture westward across the lower deserts out towards the lower Colorado River valley. At 2 am considerable showers and isolated storms persisted in the Tucson area, with scattered mostly light showers pushing westward across the central/southwest deserts. Flow aloft is not especially divergent/difluent and no significant inverted trof features are in the area so much of the convection is likely being driven by continued boundary interactions. For the next few days the monsoonal circulation will remain in place across the area keeping moisture flowing across the lower deserts. Occasional minor disturbances will be embedded in the flow around the high, helping to enhance thunderstorm development from time to time, however for the most part upper wind fields do not appear to be very strong over Arizona today through Friday. Mean 300-700mb wind fields are mostly at or below 15 knots over most of the area, and upper streamline fields tend to be more anticyclonic and laminar, not exhibiting significant deformation or difluent fields. With weaker winds and more modest support aloft, we will fall back towards more of a typical diurnal and climo-based convective pattern every day with the best chances for storms developing over higher terrain then moving into the lower deserts overnight. Moisture does look to be impressive however with PWAT values between 1.5 and 1.8 inches across most of the area from the lower Colorado River eastward each day through Friday. One feature that the progs have been trying to latch onto is an inverted trof the pushes north and into south central Arizona Thursday night into the day Friday. As this feature approaches and then moves across the area, PWAT value climb to around 2 inches over portions of south central AZ. As such we may see the potential for heavy rains developing at times Thursday night into the day Friday. POPs have been raised 5-10 percent at times mainly Thursday and Friday to account for this with chance numbers in place across most of the central deserts as well as the higher terrain east of Phoenix. It is very possible that our POPs will need further raising later this week. With cloud cover and moisture increasing from east to west this week, the temperature trends will be downward, with portions of the central deserts falling well below seasonal normals by Friday. However, there is one issue with expected heat and that will be over the far western deserts and into southeast California today. With H5 heights around 594dm and the airmass still a bit on the dry side, there is potential for some locations, especially the Imperial valley, to reach or exceed 115 degrees today. Imperial reached 117 yesterday and we expect similar conditions today. There is potential for debris clouds current over the AZ deserts to spread into SE California today and cool things a bit but to be on the safe side we will be issuing an Excessive Heat Warning for CAZ033 -Imperial County - from 10 am until 8 pm today. It should cool below warning thresholds tomorrow so this will be just a one day warning. Despite copious moisture in place Friday over deserts east of the lower Colorado River valley, upper streamlines and mean steering winds are forecast to start turning to the south/southwest. This will not dry out the area for Friday or Friday night, but this directional shift in the winds will play a role for the extended portion of the forecast. Guidance, including GEFS ensemble spaghetti guidance, calls for weak troffing to develop over the PAC northwest and along the central CA coast by Saturday and this will lead to continued southwest steering flow and upper streamlines over the weekend and into the first part of next week. We will see moisture steadily decrease from west to east and by Sunday the afternoon/evening thunderstorms will be confined to the higher terrain areas east of Phoenix. We will then see mostly sunny or sunny days and clear nights from Phoenix west during the latter portion of the extended. As the airmass dries we can expect high temperatures to climb back up to, and then above, seasonal normals. By next Monday much of the lower deserts will see highs near or even exceeding the 110 degree mark. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: Any remnant shower activity thru the early morning will stay well to the W/SW of the Phx area terminals with BKN-OVC debris clouds also clearing to the west. Morning winds to continue with their easterly headings, with slight lower speeds than the outflow induced ones from overnight. With skies clearing enough to provide heating and support storm initiation this afternoon, will keep at least VCTS mention in the TAFs for this evening, around 30/02z. Gusty outflow winds, broadly from the east, are possible along with storm development along outflow intrusions. Winds in the wake of outflow and storm development will become more erratic, with several outflow/storm wind interactions causing more variable headings. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: Morning debris clouds from thundershower activity across AZ will cross the CO River, generating SCT-BKN coverage AOA 12kft this morning for both KIPL and KBLH. Little aviation impacts through Wednesday afternoon with storms remaining well east of SE CA. While surface winds will favor a south and southeasterly direction, outflow boundaries from distant storms may cause abrupt wind shifts, or variable winds overnight. Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Friday through Tuesday... Humidities, dewpoints and storm chances will peak Friday before trending downward through the late weekend. Elevated humidities and dewpoints will linger for Saturday, with slight chances for storms holding over the south-central AZ deserts and better chances for the higher terrain north/east/southeast of Phoenix. Gradual drying trend will commence Sunday and into early next week with lower desert minimum humidities drier than 15 percent (and possibly lower) by Monday. Thunderstorm chances will be confined to the higher terrain of south-central AZ Sun-Tue and be only slight. Apart from strong erratic winds associated with thunderstorms, southerly breeziness can be expected over southwest AZ and southeast CA Thu-Sat(less so over south-central AZ). Winds will favor southwesterly directions next week. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM PDT this evening for CAZ033. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...CB AVIATION...Nolte FIRE WEATHER...Nolte/AJ
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 528 AM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .UPDATE...To Aviation and Fire Weather Discussions... && .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will move somewhat north and east of Arizona this week allowing warm temperatures to prevail, but also bring a couple of weather disturbances through the state. An increase in monsoon moisture will accompany these weather systems, providing a threat of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms the remainder of week. As moisture increases over south central Arizona, high temperatures will fall with some locations dropping below 100 degrees on Friday. There will be a return to drier southwest flow aloft over the weekend and into early next week which will limit thunderstorms to higher terrain areas east of Phoenix by Sunday. High temperatures will steadily climb late this week and early next week as the atmosphere becomes drier. && .DISCUSSION... Strong high pressure aloft remained situated across the desert southwest early this morning with the main high center located near the four corners towards far north central Arizona. Typical monsoonal circulation has been established with southeast flow spreading increasing moisture westward across the lower deserts out towards the lower Colorado River valley. At 2 am considerable showers and isolated storms persisted in the Tucson area, with scattered mostly light showers pushing westward across the central/southwest deserts. Flow aloft is not especially divergent/difluent and no significant inverted trof features are in the area so much of the convection is likely being driven by continued boundary interactions. For the next few days the monsoonal circulation will remain in place across the area keeping moisture flowing across the lower deserts. Occasional minor disturbances will be embedded in the flow around the high, helping to enhance thunderstorm development from time to time, however for the most part upper wind fields do not appear to be very strong over Arizona today through Friday. Mean 300-700mb wind fields are mostly at or below 15 knots over most of the area, and upper streamline fields tend to be more anticyclonic and laminar, not exhibiting significant deformation or difluent fields. With weaker winds and more modest support aloft, we will fall back towards more of a typical diurnal and climo-based convective pattern every day with the best chances for storms developing over higher terrain then moving into the lower deserts overnight. Moisture does look to be impressive however with PWAT values between 1.5 and 1.8 inches across most of the area from the lower Colorado River eastward each day through Friday. One feature that the progs have been trying to latch onto is an inverted trof the pushes north and into south central Arizona Thursday night into the day Friday. As this feature approaches and then moves across the area, PWAT value climb to around 2 inches over portions of south central AZ. As such we may see the potential for heavy rains developing at times Thursday night into the day Friday. POPs have been raised 5-10 percent at times mainly Thursday and Friday to account for this with chance numbers in place across most of the central deserts as well as the higher terrain east of Phoenix. It is very possible that our POPs will need further raising later this week. With cloud cover and moisture increasing from east to west this week, the temperature trends will be downward, with portions of the central deserts falling well below seasonal normals by Friday. However, there is one issue with expected heat and that will be over the far western deserts and into southeast California today. With H5 heights around 594dm and the airmass still a bit on the dry side, there is potential for some locations, especially the Imperial valley, to reach or exceed 115 degrees today. Imperial reached 117 yesterday and we expect similar conditions today. There is potential for debris clouds current over the AZ deserts to spread into SE California today and cool things a bit but to be on the safe side we will be issuing an Excessive Heat Warning for CAZ033 -Imperial County - from 10 am until 8 pm today. It should cool below warning thresholds tomorrow so this will be just a one day warning. Despite copious moisture in place Friday over deserts east of the lower Colorado River valley, upper streamlines and mean steering winds are forecast to start turning to the south/southwest. This will not dry out the area for Friday or Friday night, but this directional shift in the winds will play a role for the extended portion of the forecast. Guidance, including GEFS ensemble spaghetti guidance, calls for weak troffing to develop over the PAC northwest and along the central CA coast by Saturday and this will lead to continued southwest steering flow and upper streamlines over the weekend and into the first part of next week. We will see moisture steadily decrease from west to east and by Sunday the afternoon/evening thunderstorms will be confined to the higher terrain areas east of Phoenix. We will then see mostly sunny or sunny days and clear nights from Phoenix west during the latter portion of the extended. As the airmass dries we can expect high temperatures to climb back up to, and then above, seasonal normals. By next Monday much of the lower deserts will see highs near or even exceeding the 110 degree mark. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: Any remnant shower activity thru the early morning will stay well to the W/SW of the Phx area terminals with BKN-OVC debris clouds also clearing to the west. Morning winds to continue with their easterly headings, with slight lower speeds than the outflow induced ones from overnight. With skies clearing enough to provide heating and support storm initiation this afternoon, will keep at least VCTS mention in the TAFs for this evening, around 30/02z. Gusty outflow winds, broadly from the east, are possible along with storm development along outflow intrusions. Winds in the wake of outflow and storm development will become more erratic, with several outflow/storm wind interactions causing more variable headings. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: Morning debris clouds from thundershower activity across AZ will cross the CO River, generating SCT-BKN coverage AOA 12kft this morning for both KIPL and KBLH. Little aviation impacts through Wednesday afternoon with storms remaining well east of SE CA. While surface winds will favor a south and southeasterly direction, outflow boundaries from distant storms may cause abrupt wind shifts, or variable winds overnight. Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Friday through Tuesday... Humidities, dewpoints and storm chances will peak Friday before trending downward through the late weekend. Elevated humidities and dewpoints will linger for Saturday, with slight chances for storms holding over the south-central AZ deserts and better chances for the higher terrain north/east/southeast of Phoenix. Gradual drying trend will commence Sunday and into early next week with lower desert minimum humidities drier than 15 percent (and possibly lower) by Monday. Thunderstorm chances will be confined to the higher terrain of south-central AZ Sun-Tue and be only slight. Apart from strong erratic winds associated with thunderstorms, southerly breeziness can be expected over southwest AZ and southeast CA Thu-Sat(less so over south-central AZ). Winds will favor southwesterly directions next week. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM PDT this evening for CAZ033. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...CB AVIATION...Nolte FIRE WEATHER...Nolte/AJ
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 428 AM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms through Friday. Locally heavy rainfall will occur during this period. A gradual drying trend will then begin Saturday and continue into early next week. However, enough moisture will remain for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms east of Tucson next Monday and Tuesday. Cooler temperatures will occur, especially Friday, then a warmer temperatures will return early next week. && .DISCUSSION...Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms were occurring from the Tohono O`Odham Nation eastward across eastern Pima County, Santa Cruz County and into western Cochise County at this time. The areal coverage and individual cell intensities have been gradually decreasing during the past hour. IR/Water vapor satellite imagery depicted decaying Mesoscale Convective Complexes over the eastern portion of southeast Arizona, and further south over central/southern Sonora Mexico. The MCS over southeast Arizona produced rainfall amounts during the overnight hours generally ranging from 0.25 - 0.75 inch across the northern portion of the Tucson metro area, including the Catalina Mountains, and further east over northwest Cochise County including Benson. Within this area, rainfall amounts to around 1.75 inches were measured. Meanwhile, rainfall amounts further south from the southern portion of the Tucson metro area into Santa Cruz/southwest Cochise County generally ranged from 0.10 - 0.50 inch, with locally heavier amounts to around 1.00 inch. The forecast challenge for today will be the role of the ongoing precipitation area, and the extent of cloud cover into mid-morning regarding the potential re-generation of showers/thunderstorms later today. Although several theoretical scenarios abound, only one scenario will eventually become, and ultimately be, reality. Having written that, am leaning toward the scenario suggested by a combination of several HRRR solutions and the 29/00Z Univ. of AZ WRF- NAM. Thus, believe that showers/tstms will continue to gradually decrease in coverage during the next several hours. Am expecting the bulk of any rainfall of significance to end around 15Z-17Z, with the Tucson metro area perhaps being the last area to become precip-free. Am then expecting clouds to decrease sufficiently late this morning, or by noon, to allow for the showers/tstms to develop during the early afternoon hours, particularly south of Tucson. A fairly deep ely flow should then promote a westward migration of showers/tstms into central/wrn Pima County late this afternoon and evening. For this forecast issuance, PoPs were raised for most sections this afternoon and evening, and especially across western locales. Thus, am expecting scattered to numerous showers/tstms this afternoon and evening followed by low-end chance-category PoPs, or scattered coverage of showers/tstms across much of the area late tonight. 29/00Z GFS/ECMWF/CMC remained in good agreement regarding the potential for a widespread precip evening Thur-Fri. Ample moisture Thursday with precip water values progged via the GFS by 01/00Z ranging from 1.0 inch across the White Mountains to around 2.0 inches across western Pima County will be in place. Meanwhile, although generally weak sely mid-level flow will be present, the NWP models depict an inverted trough to move northward into southern AZ Thur night, then continue northward into central AZ Friday. Per coordination with neighboring WFO`s, PoPs were generally trended higher about 5-15 percent or so during the Thur-Fri period. These values translate into scattered to numerous showers/tstms, with the greatest coverage expected to occur across central/ern sections. Would not be surprised to eventually see an MCS over this forecast area Thursday night. Friday then holds the potential for fairly widespread coverage of light-to-moderate showers with embedded thunderstorms. 26/00Z GFS/ECMWF/CMC remained similar versus previous solutions in depicting deep moisture over the area Friday to be shunted eastward into New Mexico Saturday, as generally wly flow becomes established over the area. Thus, a gradual decrease in showers/tstms will start Saturday followed by a decrease in daily coverage Sunday-Tuesday. In summary, expect isolated to perhaps scattered showers/tstms Sunday, then only a slight chance of showers/tstms limited to locales east of Tucson Monday. By next Tuesday, a slight chance of showers/tstms exists mainly east of a Mount Graham-Benson line, and particularly across the White Mountains. Thereafter, the focus of attention will turn toward a tropical system that is progged to pass well to the southwest of southern Baja California by the middle of next week. A gradual daily cooling trend will occur today into Friday, and high temps Friday will be well below seasonal normals. A warming trend is on tap Saturday-Monday, with near normal daytime temps to return Monday-Tuesday. && .AVIATION...VALID THRU 30/12Z. Showers and thunderstorms over and south of KTUS will gradually diminish through the morning hours with local MVFR conditions possible near some heavy rainers, otherwise VFR conditions with plenty of debris clouds around. Debris clouds to diminish later this morning with scattered thunderstorms developing again near the higher terrain this afternoon. Wind speeds generally less than 12 kts except 30-35 kts in and around stronger thunderstorms. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...With plenty of moisture and instability around there will be daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. The strongest storms will be capable of very strong winds and heavy downpours especially during the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Would expect that by Friday nearly every location in SE AZ will have had at least one round of rainfall and with high dewpoints humidity levels will remain high continuing the fuel moistening trend. Atmospheric moisture will begin to diminish across the region Saturday onward resulting in a decrease in the amount of convection each day. By Monday and Tuesday any isolated convection will be limited to the mountains near the eastern border and over the White Mountains. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson DISCUSSION...Francis AVIATION/FIRE WEATHER...Cerniglia Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 330 PM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Shower and thunderstorm activity will increase over the next few days as a moist southerly flow develops across Arizona. Expect storms each day with the best potential for heavy rain on Thursday and Friday. && .DISCUSSION...Very active day across northern Arizona today with thunderstorms, heavy rain, and local minor flooding issues. It will remain active this evening and then decrease after dark. For Thursday through Saturday...Southerly flow will deliver deep moisture with widespread showers and thunderstorms. The deepest moisture will be south of the Mogollon Rim southward where storms will be the most numerous. However, anywhere across northern Arizona could see strong storms through Saturday. Any storm could produce hail, strong winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding. From Sunday onward...A drier and stabilizing westerly flow develops. Most areas across northern Arizona will see only a slight chance of showers and storms. The only exception will be the mountain areas along the Arizona/New Mexico border where lingering moisture will result in scattered storms. && .AVIATION...For the 00Z Package...Scattered to numerous TSRA expected to develop today with the focus of activity over the higher terrain of northern AZ. Locally heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds possible with storms. Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will decrease overnight, then increase again after 18Z Friday. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...An active monsoon weather pattern will continue through the week with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms each day. An increase in moisture will raise the threat for heavy rain by Thursday and Friday. Gusty outflow winds also possible near any shower or storms. Saturday through Monday...Active monsoon weather continues through Saturday with close to average temperatures. A downturn in thunderstorm activity is possible by Sunday or early next week. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && $$ PUBLIC...MAS AVIATION...JJ FIRE WEATHER...JJ For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 330 PM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Shower and thunderstorm activity will increase over the next few days as a moist southerly flow develops across Arizona. Expect storms each day with the best potential for heavy rain on Thursday and Friday. && .DISCUSSION...Very active day across northern Arizona today with thunderstorms, heavy rain, and local minor flooding issues. It will remain active this evening and then decrease after dark. For Thursday through Saturday...Southerly flow will deliver deep moisture with widespread showers and thunderstorms. The deepest moisture will be south of the Mogollon Rim southward where storms will be the most numerous. However, anywhere across northern Arizona could see strong storms through Saturday. Any storm could produce hail, strong winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding. From Sunday onward...A drier and stabilizing westerly flow develops. Most areas across northern Arizona will see only a slight chance of showers and storms. The only exception will be the mountain areas along the Arizona/New Mexico border where lingering moisture will result in scattered storms. && .AVIATION...For the 00Z Package...Scattered to numerous TSRA expected to develop today with the focus of activity over the higher terrain of northern AZ. Locally heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds possible with storms. Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will decrease overnight, then increase again after 18Z Friday. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...An active monsoon weather pattern will continue through the week with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms each day. An increase in moisture will raise the threat for heavy rain by Thursday and Friday. Gusty outflow winds also possible near any shower or storms. Saturday through Monday...Active monsoon weather continues through Saturday with close to average temperatures. A downturn in thunderstorm activity is possible by Sunday or early next week. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && $$ PUBLIC...MAS AVIATION...JJ FIRE WEATHER...JJ For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 300 PM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms through Friday. Locally heavy rainfall will occur during this period. A gradual drying trend will then begin Saturday and continue into early next week. However, enough moisture will remain for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms east of Tucson next Monday and Tuesday. Cooler temperatures will occur, especially Friday, then warmer temperatures will return early next week. && .DISCUSSION...After debris cloudiness cleared this morning, it didn`t take much to get our storms going early this afternoon. This is in part due to the very moist airmass in place, with surface dewpoints holding steading in the upper 50s and lower 60s for most locations. Latest SPC mesoanalysis indicates in excess of 1500 J/kg of SBCAPE and little to no CIN over much of southeast Arizona. As such, scattered strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are currently ongoing, especially across Santa Cruz and eastern Pima counties. CIRA total LPW amounts valid 29/21Z ranged from 1.3 inches across Cochise county to near 2 inches across western Pima county. That said, am still concerned about some heavy rainers through this evening and areas of flash flooding should some of the same spots that got hit last night get hit again this afternoon. For example, with its first storm of the day, KOLS picked up nearly 1 inch of rainfall in less than an hour, and KTUS has now broken its 1-day rainfall record previously set in 1912 at 0.55 inches. Latest dual- pol rainfall storm totals are ranging from 0.5 inches to over 1.5 inches in a few locations, especially since storms are barely moving and mainly playing off of one another`s outflows or hugging terrain. Expect convection to continue through this evening with overnight showers/embedded thunderstorms not out of the question. The Thursday/Friday forecast continued to look good with regard to the 29/12z suite of NWP models, so not too many changes were made to the official forecast. Still expecting plenty of moisture to be hanging around, thanks to a modest surge from the Gulf of California. PWAT values across western Pima county could exceed 2 inches from Thursday morning into Friday afternoon. Weak sly to sely steering flow will occur both days as the upper high meanders east into New Mexico and then southeast into west Texas. The GFS is trying to bring a nice little vorticity maximum across eastern zones Thursday night into Friday morning, so cannot rule out an overnight MCS of sorts. Friday then holds the potential for fairly widespread coverage of light-to-moderate showers with embedded thunderstorms. Shower and storm coverage will then take a downturn into Saturday and Sunday as drier wly flow becomes established over the area. Expect a gradual decrease in precip coverage from west to east from Sunday to Wednesday. Thereafter, will turn our focus toward a tropical system that is progged to pass well to the southwest of southern Baja California by the middle of next week for any potential moisture surge. A gradual daily cooling trend will occur into Friday, and high temps Friday will be well below seasonal normals. We will then warm back up into early next week, with near normal daytime temps Monday- Wednesday. && .AVIATION...VALID THRU 31/00Z. Showers and thunderstorms will be in the vicinity of terminals through at least 30/03Z. Another round of convection will be possible overnight after 30/06Z. Gusty winds and brief MVFR conditions in heavy rainfall are likely. Wind gusts could exceed 45 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...With plenty of moisture and instability around there will be daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. The strongest storms will be capable of very strong winds and heavy downpours especially during the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Would expect that by Friday nearly every location in SE AZ will have had at least one round of rainfall and with high dewpoints humidity levels will remain high continuing the fuel moistening trend. Atmospheric moisture will begin to diminish across the region Saturday onward resulting in a decrease in the amount of convection each day. By Monday and Tuesday any isolated convection will be limited to the mountains near the eastern border and over the White Mountains. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson DISCUSSION...French AVIATION/FIRE WEATHER...Cantin
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 300 PM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .SYNOPSIS...Expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms through Friday. Locally heavy rainfall will occur during this period. A gradual drying trend will then begin Saturday and continue into early next week. However, enough moisture will remain for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms east of Tucson next Monday and Tuesday. Cooler temperatures will occur, especially Friday, then warmer temperatures will return early next week. && .DISCUSSION...After debris cloudiness cleared this morning, it didn`t take much to get our storms going early this afternoon. This is in part due to the very moist airmass in place, with surface dewpoints holding steading in the upper 50s and lower 60s for most locations. Latest SPC mesoanalysis indicates in excess of 1500 J/kg of SBCAPE and little to no CIN over much of southeast Arizona. As such, scattered strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are currently ongoing, especially across Santa Cruz and eastern Pima counties. CIRA total LPW amounts valid 29/21Z ranged from 1.3 inches across Cochise county to near 2 inches across western Pima county. That said, am still concerned about some heavy rainers through this evening and areas of flash flooding should some of the same spots that got hit last night get hit again this afternoon. For example, with its first storm of the day, KOLS picked up nearly 1 inch of rainfall in less than an hour, and KTUS has now broken its 1-day rainfall record previously set in 1912 at 0.55 inches. Latest dual- pol rainfall storm totals are ranging from 0.5 inches to over 1.5 inches in a few locations, especially since storms are barely moving and mainly playing off of one another`s outflows or hugging terrain. Expect convection to continue through this evening with overnight showers/embedded thunderstorms not out of the question. The Thursday/Friday forecast continued to look good with regard to the 29/12z suite of NWP models, so not too many changes were made to the official forecast. Still expecting plenty of moisture to be hanging around, thanks to a modest surge from the Gulf of California. PWAT values across western Pima county could exceed 2 inches from Thursday morning into Friday afternoon. Weak sly to sely steering flow will occur both days as the upper high meanders east into New Mexico and then southeast into west Texas. The GFS is trying to bring a nice little vorticity maximum across eastern zones Thursday night into Friday morning, so cannot rule out an overnight MCS of sorts. Friday then holds the potential for fairly widespread coverage of light-to-moderate showers with embedded thunderstorms. Shower and storm coverage will then take a downturn into Saturday and Sunday as drier wly flow becomes established over the area. Expect a gradual decrease in precip coverage from west to east from Sunday to Wednesday. Thereafter, will turn our focus toward a tropical system that is progged to pass well to the southwest of southern Baja California by the middle of next week for any potential moisture surge. A gradual daily cooling trend will occur into Friday, and high temps Friday will be well below seasonal normals. We will then warm back up into early next week, with near normal daytime temps Monday- Wednesday. && .AVIATION...VALID THRU 31/00Z. Showers and thunderstorms will be in the vicinity of terminals through at least 30/03Z. Another round of convection will be possible overnight after 30/06Z. Gusty winds and brief MVFR conditions in heavy rainfall are likely. Wind gusts could exceed 45 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...With plenty of moisture and instability around there will be daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. The strongest storms will be capable of very strong winds and heavy downpours especially during the mid afternoon to early evening hours. Would expect that by Friday nearly every location in SE AZ will have had at least one round of rainfall and with high dewpoints humidity levels will remain high continuing the fuel moistening trend. Atmospheric moisture will begin to diminish across the region Saturday onward resulting in a decrease in the amount of convection each day. By Monday and Tuesday any isolated convection will be limited to the mountains near the eastern border and over the White Mountains. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson DISCUSSION...French AVIATION/FIRE WEATHER...Cantin
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 252 PM MST WED JUN 29 2016 .UPDATE...To Aviation and Fire Weather Discussions... && .SYNOPSIS... An increase in monsoon moisture will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms the remainder of week. As moisture increases over south central Arizona, high temperatures will fall with some locations dropping below 100 degrees on Friday. There will be a return to drier southwest flow aloft over the weekend and into early next week which will limit thunderstorms to higher terrain areas east of Phoenix by Sunday. High temperatures will steadily climb late this week and early next week as the atmosphere becomes drier. && .DISCUSSION... Rest of today... Debris cloudiness has kept portions of our forecast area significantly cooler than yesterday - most noticeably over Yuma county where cloudiness was thicker. Temperatures have also been lower further west where there has been full sun but with high dew points. However, that means muggy conditions. In fact, in the Imperial Valley some heat index readings have already reached 110. Thus, held on to Excessive Heat Warning for Imperial County. The Gulf surge responsible for the low level moist advection over southwest AZ and far SE Ca has weakened considerably though southerly winds continue through about 5 kft per KYUX wind profile data. Storm activity has begun in the usual places early this afternoon - even over southeast Arizona where cloud cover had been inhibiting surface heating. SPC mesoanalysis for 20Z has high CAPE values over southeast AZ extending into central AZ. There is another bullseye over Imperial County but CIN values are highest there as well. This suggests potential for storms to produce both strong winds and localized heavy rain. The latter more so for southeast AZ. Experience indicates that the SPC automated mesoanalysis tends to be overly optimistic. Hi-res models are a mixed bag in terms of how they depict storm activity for our forecast area today/tonight. Our local WRF-ARW and the UofA WRF-GFS are the most aggressive as they depict storms to the north and south of Phoenix producing outflow and subsequent right over the metro. The latest HRRR depicts storms moving westward from Gila County and eastern Pinal but struggling to propagate over the lower deserts. Even that is somewhat of an uptick compared to previous runs. Larger scale models are also not all that enthusiastic (except for Canadian/GEM). It`s not surprising given the cooler boundary layers and a bit of warming above 500mb. They are all reluctant to depict storm activity west of the Lower Colorado River Valley (except for latest HRRR which may be initializing some isolated convection over the Baja mountains south of the Mexico border). However, there is sufficient CAPE for storms over the higher terrain and associated outflows. Thus in turn there is potential for storms (mainly east of the Lower Colorado River Valley). Also, there is an inverted wave in the mid levels slowly moving westward across Arizona. Thursday and Friday... Much of what happens Thursday will be predicated on what happens tonight. There is good agreement on something of a classic monsoon flow with a southerly component to the steering flow and the presence of deep moisture (e.g. 1000-700mb mean mixing ratios of 10-12 g/kg). If activity turns out to be quiet tonight then that would bode well for better destabilization Thursday. The converse would be true for an active night tonight. The inverted trough/wave appears to break up with a portion of it slowly tracking northward through AZ during the day Thursday followed by the other piece Thursday night. It is unclear what kind of contribution this will have. On Friday, deep moisture will be in place but the steering flow takes on a westerly component. With the moisture and debris clouds, temps continue to trend downward - even dipping below normal over south-central AZ. Saturday through Wednesday... Guidance, including GEFS ensemble spaghetti guidance, calls for weak troffing to develop over the PAC northwest and along the central CA coast by Saturday and this will lead to continued southwest steering flow over the weekend and into the first part of next week. We will see moisture steadily decrease from west to east and by Sunday the afternoon/evening thunderstorms will be confined to the higher terrain areas east of Phoenix. We will then see mostly sunny or sunny days and clear nights from Phoenix west during the first half of next week. As the airmass dries we can expect high temperatures to climb back up to, and then above, seasonal normals. By next Monday much of the lower deserts will see highs near or even exceeding the 110 degree mark with little change Tue-Wed. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: Anticipate south/southeasterly surface winds to last for much of the day with westerly winds struggling to develop this afternoon. Thunderstorms will continue to develop north through southeast of the Phoenix metro through 00Z, with outflows from distant storms likely affecting some portions of the Phoenix metro this evening, most likely after 01Z. Confidence in exact temporal and areal coverage precludes a TEMPO or prevailing TSRA group, however, the TAFs do reflect the scenario of nearby storms causing gusty outflow winds primarily from the east this evening. We will be monitoring the situation closely this evening and appropriate TAF amendments will be taken. There are some indications that lingering shower/storm activity could continue through late this evening, so will keep VCSH after 30/09Z. Debris clouds will linger well past sunrise, with light southeasterly surface winds. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: Surface winds will favor south and southeasterly directions through the TAF period, with a few gusts up to 20kts. Expect scattered to broken high clouds to remain through the period. Although thunderstorms should stay well east/southeast of the area, cannot rule out an outflow from distant thunderstorms causing abrupt wind shifts with some gustiness overnight. Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Saturday through Wednesday...Enhanced humidities and storm chances will continue on Saturday before trending downward, with minimum humidities in the lower deserts ranging from 20-30 percent on Saturday to 10-20 percent on Wednesday. Similarly, overnight recoveries will also be trending downward as we start to dry out this weekend. Thunderstorm chances on Saturday will be greatest north, east, and southeast of Phoenix. Sunday through Wednesday, thunderstorm chances will greatly decrease and be confined to the higher terrain of south-central AZ. Apart from strong erratic winds associated with thunderstorms, winds will primarily have a southerly component in southeast California and southwest Arizona through the period with some afternoon gustiness up to 20 mph. Over south-central Arizona, winds will following typical upslope and downslope directions with winds around 5 to 15 mph. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...Excessive Heat Warning until 8 PM PDT this evening for CAZ033. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...AJ/CB AVIATION...Hernandez FIRE WEATHER...Hernandez