Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RUC13" "RUC" "RR" received at GSD on 12/01/16


Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
918 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Rain will continue across the region tonight before drying out during the day Thursday. Temperatures will be cooler Thursday with a slow downward trend into the weekend. Rain showers will mix with and change to snow later Friday and eventually become mostly snow later in the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... 915 PM Update... Current forecast in good shape just minor adjustments to the overnight temperatures and pops. Rain has spread back across northeast Pennsylvania and much of central New York this evening as a mid level wave moves through the region in advance of a surface cold front which is moving through extreme western New York at this time. This boundary will cross the area from around 11pm-3am and bring the last shot of widespread showers. Currently along this boundary in western New York some of the convection has been associated with a few lightning strikes. This is due to mid level instability and frontal forcing. As this boundary crosses the region will continue to mention a rumble of thunder with slight chance pops for thunder. previous disc... Main concerns in the near term remain centered around the ongoing persistent rain over ne PA and se NY this afternoon into the evening...with a secondary wave of convection expected to develop over the Lake Erie/PA/NY/OH area early this evening and move east through central NY/ne PA through the early overnight hours. Conditions will be cooler and slightly drier on Thursday with gusty west winds. A robust supply of deep layer moisture from the south continues to stream nwd into PA/NY this afternoon and interact with strong large- scale lift as an upper trough approaches from the west to produce widespread rain across much of ern PA and sern NY into New England. This area of rain to the east will continue to slowly drift ewd this evening...producing an additional 0.5 to 1 inch of rain from the Poconos to the srn Catskills. Areas further to the west...including the Finger Lakes...have missed out once again on the significant rainfall today. However, there may be another chance this evening and tonight to make up for that. Latest visible satellite imagery shows some scattering of clouds over far wrn NY...and the RAP meso-analysis indicates weak elevated instability and steepening mid level lapse rates around the Buffalo area. A cold front currently moving through MI/ern OH will eventually catch up with this area of weak instability and trigger convection into central NY and portions of n-central PA. This area of convection will likely combine with the continuous supply of moisture from the south for widespread rain showers...and even a few embedded weak thunderstorms through the evening hours. May see an additional 0.25 to 0.75 inch of rain tonight over much of cntrl NY. As the cold front advances ewd late tonight and Thur morning the deep layer moisture will decrease markedly and mainly leave behind a layer of low stratus in its wake. Mid level air will continue to cool slowly through the day Thursday and combine with warm Lakes Erie and Ontario...and relatively warm near-sfc temps to produce downwind convective rain showers. 850mb temps around -3 to -5 deg C will not be cold enough to generate significant precip...and trajectories will be roughly 260 to 280 deg most of the day which would tend more toward the Tug Hill area and wrn NY, possibly into the Finger Lakes. Temperatures tonight will fall only into the upper 30 to around 40...and have a hard time reaching much above 45 Thursday afternoon as the cold air funnels in behind the cold front. Winds will also continue to be a factor tonight with sustained south winds around 10 to 20 mph this evening...shifting to the west by Thur morning increasing to 20 mph with gust up to 30 mph Thur afternoon. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... 245 EST Update... By Thursday night surface winds will become breezy out of the southwest as the upper lvl low continues to stay parked over western Quebec with near zonal flow prevailing over the region. This pattern will continue through the night, advecting cold air into the region, which will result in lake enhanced/orographic lift showers over the region. The airmass will remain warm through midnight. Precip will fall in the form as rain, but after midnight the atmos should cool down enough that snow growth may be possible within the higher terrain. The low-lvl mean flow across the lakes will remain around 280 through 12Z Friday, thus, expect more so a single band orientation, over the southern Tug Hill Plateau. During the day on friday expect the mean flow to meander, and the band the shift southward during the morning hours then shift northward again early Friday afternoon. A shortwave is expected to drop south over the region early Friday evening, which will bring a chance for showers area wide across the region. This shortwave Friday evening will allow for an even colder airmass to funnel into the region. Precip type will be highly dependent on sfc temps. Temps at or above 36 may see rain, while temps that fall below this mark may see a mix of rain/snow or completely transition over to snow. This pattern will continue through Saturday, as CAA will be significant enough for lake effect showers to continue across the region. Again, precip type will be highly dependent sfc temp as well as elevation. Temps will rise into the uppr 30s to low 40s Friday and Sat, and fall into the low 30s during the overnight periods. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... 245 PM EST Update... Little change to the extended forecast. Deep troughing over the western CONUS is expected from Saturday evening through Wednesday allowing multiple waves to move across the eastern CONUS creating a chances for precip over the region for much of the period. Scattered rain/snow showers will prevail starting Saturday night through mid week as conditions are favorable. A brief period of high pressure will build over the northeast during the mid-week but will quickly diminish as the next system will pushes into the region. The next system may arrive as early as Tuesday night. Confidence is low on the timing on the next system, we may be dry for a couple of days, but confidence increases with pops as we head towards the weekend. Temps during the extended forecast will be at or slightly above the seasonal average. && .AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Strong moist southerly flow will continue for the beginning of the TAF period in advance of a cold front which will move through between 03z and 08z from west to east across our terminals in central NY and northeast PA. In advance of the front there were rain showers and mainly MVFR ceilings with patchy areas of VFR conditions. As the front nears and crosses terminals we expect a period of IFR in heavy rain showers mainly from visibility restrictions. However the usual terminals KBGM, KRME and KITH will see more widespread IFR conditions between 04z and 09z at KITH/KRME and from 05z to 14z at KBGM. Once the front passes by, a westerly flow of cooler and drier air will set up and ceilings will come up to VFR all terminals with KSYR, KELM and KAVP seeing VFR around 08z-09z and lasting through 00z Friday. KBGM/KRME will see VFR conditions last by 19z and KITH by 16z. Winds will be southerly until 07z-09z after frontal passage with low-level wind shear at KSYR and KAVP for small periods overnight. OUTLOOK... Thursday evening...Restrictions possible in occasional showers, mainly at KSYR and KRME. Other terminal sites will likely see VFR conditions. Friday through Monday...Occasional restrictions in scattered rain/snow showers, especially across central NY terminals. && .BGM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...BJT NEAR TERM...BJT/RRM SHORT TERM...KAH LONG TERM...KAH AVIATION...DJN
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
919 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will advance across the region tonight, bringing rain showers and eroding the very warm airmass that is in place. A colder airmass will then follow, Thursday through the end of the week, with lake effect rain showers east of the lakes Thursday that will mix with snow Thursday night and through the start of the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... A cold front extending from low pressure centered near Lake Huron will race across Western New York this evening. At 9 p.m. this front was located near Buffalo, with a solid line of showers along this boundary. This line appears quite convective, with a few lightning strikes in the heavier showers in this line. Lightning strikes have been diminishing over the past hour, and this trend should continue this evening with scattered thunderstorms becoming more isolated in nature. Otherwise this line will quickly move from west to east across the cwa tonight. Expect a couple hours of briefly heavy rain as this front moves through, followed by post-frontal wind gusts to around 30 mph. Rainfall amounts should run between a quarter and half an inch, with locally higher amounts. In terms of model guidance, the HRRR has a good handle on this front and is favored given its hourly resolution which should best capture the abrupt change in conditions with its passage. Pre- frontal temperatures are still in the 50s, with a quick 10 degree drop with the frontal passage. After this line of showers/cold front passes across the region tonight, a much colder airmass will build southeastward across the Lower Great Lakes. Temperatures at 850 hPa will lower to around -4C on Thursday which should bring ample instability over a +8 to +10C lake waters to produce a band of lake effect precipitation. The lower levels of the atmosphere, and surface temperatures will remain too warm for snow, such that just plain rain will fall from these lake plumes later tonight and tomorrow. An initial 240 to 250 wind flow will bring these plumes to around Buffalo (Lake Erie)/Watertown (Lake Ontario) before settling ever so slightly southward later Thursday. The only exception is across higher terrain in the Western Southern Tier where a few wet snowflakes may mix in on Thursday. Temperature will remain mild this evening ahead of the cold front with falling temperatures the second half of the night dropping down into the lower to mid 40s. Under cold air advection aloft highs tomorrow will not be much warmer than their morning values, with highs only rebounding a few degrees. This cold air advection will also create brisk winds tomorrow. Southwest winds will howl near the lake shores, and especially the northeaster lake shores, with gusts up to 40 mph. Inland southwest wind gusts will be lower, generally 25 to 35 mph. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... Mid level closed low will cross Quebec and morph into an open wave as it crosses into New England by Friday, eventually re-developing over the Canadian Maritimes as energy transfers to the coast by the weekend. There will be a series of minor shortwaves and their associated surface troughs wrapping into western New York into the first part of the weekend, resulting in periods of deeper moisture and lake driven precipitation. Temperatures aloft will gradually turn colder over this time with 850 mb temperatures starting the period from -4/-5c, down to -7/-8c by Saturday. Low level flow starts out westerly, slowly veering to northwest by Saturday. This seasonably cool and moist cyclonic flow will providing a favorable background for lake enhanced/effect precipitation. Outside of the lake driven areas, occasional weak ascent from passing subtle shortwaves will produce scattered light showers, with the better coverage of these synoptic showers across the North Country in closer proximity to better forcing and deeper moisture. Off Lake Erie... The cooling boundary layer will allow for some wet snow to mix in across higher terrain Thursday night into Friday, with a probable change to all wet snow at times for the higher terrain. Expect a slushy 1-2 inches of accumulation later Thursday night into Friday morning across the high terrain of the Boston Hills and western Wyoming County, and the hills of central and northern Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. Friday night and Saturday, the boundary layer will continue to cool as boundary layer turn more northwest. This will push the lake effect precipitation farther south into the Southern Tier. There may be some additional minor accumulations across higher elevations. Lake effect precipitation will then slowly diminish during the day Saturday as a mid level ridge and somewhat drier air begin to build into the Lower Great Lakes. Off Lake Ontario... The boundary layer will undergo modest cooling Thursday night which will allow wet snow to mix in across the higher terrain of the Tug Hill and western Adirondacks, with a probable change to all wet snow late Thursday night through Friday across the highest elevations where a 1-3 inch slushy accumulation is possible. Friday night, the boundary layer will continue to cool as boundary layer turn more northwest. This will push the lake effect precipitation south and onshore from the Rochester area eastward into the Finger Lakes. There may be some additional minor accumulations across higher elevations. On Saturday northwest flow will continue, with a spray of weak lake effect showers southeast of the lake from near Rochester to Oswego County. Saturday night and Sunday, cool west northwest flow will remain in place, supporting a few scattered rain and wet snow showers, and some limited lake effect southeast of the Lakes. Temperatures will be seasonable, with highs in the lower 40s at lower elevations and mid to upper 30s across higher terrain. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Model guidance begins to diverge by early next week, with significant run to run differences noted in both the GFS and ECMWF over the past few days. A weak trough is forecast to move northeast across the area Sunday night and early Monday with a few wet snow and rain showers possible from a combination of weak ascent from the trough and a broad warm advection regime. Monday night and Tuesday both the GFS and ECMWF show high pressure back into the Ohio Valley and Lower Great Lakes. The mid continental trough ejects a wave into the upper ridge, with strong southerly warm advection, the ECMWF much more potent than GFS, but went with withering PoPs for Tuesday and Wednesday and just chance PoPs, at that. Note that the models have seemingly stretched the arrival times of the next strong cold front and pattern change to wintry conditions into the mid/end of the week. Regardless of the synoptic details, the overall pattern suggests a return to slightly above normal temperatures for Tuesday and Wednesday, but an eventual arrival of wintry weather by the end of the week. && .AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... The primary forecast factor tonight will be the passage of a cold front. At 02Z this front was between IAG/BUF and it will continue to move quickly east late this evening. A solid line of moderate to heavy rain showers extends along this boundary, with these expected to move eastward with the front. There still are some isolated thunderstorms embedded in this line, but these have trended down over the past hour, with any impact to a terminal location expected to be brief. IFR/MVFR conditions will accompany this line of showers, with a modest improvement to VFR/MVFR conditions expected behind the front when winds pick up and help mix low moisture out. Thursday will be mostly cloudy, with lower (MVFR) cigs mainly isolated to higher terrain or in lake effect rain showers. The southwest flow will make these most likely at BUF and ART. Outlook... Thursday night and Friday...MVFR/IFR with lake effect rain showers shifting southward and becoming mixed with snow showers. Saturday and Sunday...Mainly VFR with areas of MVFR/IFR and rain/snow showers east of the lakes. Monday...IFR in chance of snow showers, becoming MVFR/VFR as precipitation transitions to rain showers. && .MARINE... An area of low pressure will pass just to the north of Lake Ontario tonight and tomorrow, while swinging a cold front across the Eastern Great Lakes tonight. There may be a few thunderstorms with this frontal passage. Behind the cold front expect westerly winds to increase, nearing 30 knots on the lake late tonight and through the day tomorrow. These winds will gradually diminish Friday and Friday night, but based on the lastest forecast we have extended the small craft headlines on the lakes as outlined below. Gusty winds will also rush across the rivers, with no changes to the current small craft headlines. && .BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NY...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EST Saturday for LEZ040-041. Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM EST Friday for LEZ020. Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM EST Friday for LOZ030. Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EST Saturday for LOZ043. Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EST Friday for LOZ042. Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EST Saturday for LOZ044- 045. Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Thursday to 1 AM EST Friday for SLZ022-024. && $$ SYNOPSIS...THOMAS NEAR TERM...APFFEL/THOMAS SHORT TERM...TMA LONG TERM...HITCHCOCK/WCH AVIATION...APFFEL MARINE...APFFEL/THOMAS
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1020 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 LATEST UPDATE... Update .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 325 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 An upper level trough of low pressure will bring cool and unsettled weather tonight through late this week with extensive cloud cover and intermittent rain showers. Some wet snow flakes will mix in late tonight into Thursday morning as well but there will be no snow accumulations. High pressure will briefly bring dry weather for Saturday before another system moves in to bring potential for mixed rain and snow showers for Sunday. && .UPDATE... Issued at 1020 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 Recent mPING report of a rain/sleet mix around Holland and a few similar reports were noted earlier around Chicago. This is not surprising given the convective nature of the precipitation. Based on radar trends and short range guidance, have raised precipitation chances to categorical overnight. Expect a rain/snow mix to develop around or shortly after midnight generally east of US-131, which is east beyond the influence of the lake modified plume. Latest RAP guidance suggests that Wet Bulb Zero (WBZ) height should be dropping below 1500 ft AGL around this time, which is a good proxy for seeing snow. Dual Pol radar products already suggest the WBZ is below 2000 ft, so the mix this should not be too much longer in taking shape. Accumulations should be negligible due to warm surface temperatures overnight. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 325 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 Primary short term fcst challenges involve determining probabilities for showers and to assess potential for pcpn type issues mainly for late tonight into Thursday. The upper level trough will bring cool and unsettled weather tonight through Thursday. Showers will develop this evening as deeper moisture moves in and showers will increase in coverage overnight. Brisk southwest flow caa tonight will cause pcpn to become mixed with some wet snow very late tonight through the early to mid morning hours Thursday as wbz heights and low level critical thickness values lower and deeper moisture through the dgz moves in. However only a couple tenths of an inch of snow will fall mainly east of US-131 and there will be no snow accumulation overnight. Pcpn type will remain mainly all liquid form west of 131 due to the modifying affect of Lake MI. Seasonably cool and unsettled wx will continue through the day Thursday with scattered light rain showers. Pcpn type Thursday will be predominantly liquid form although a few wet snow flakes may mix in mainly early in the day. Extensive cloud cover and scattered light rain showers will linger Thursday night through Friday. The relatively best chc for a few showers will continue to be near to west of US-131. 12z guidance consensus time height rh/temp progs indicate an unsaturated dgz Thursday night through Friday so light rain showers/drizzle will be the predominant pcpn type. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 325 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 Followed the GFS for guidance in the long term as it has had much better consistency the last few days. The ECMWF has had issues handling southern stream energy, namely the upper cut off low moving across northern Mexico. Temperatures through the long term look to undergo a slow moderating trend through the period and end up a bit above normal as we head into next week. The long term period begins on Saturday with some light lake generated precipitation ongoing. The moisture depth decreases quickly though, so precipitashortly after midnighttion should come to an end as we move through the day. Expecting a dry Saturday night with ridging moving through the area. Sunday a northern stream shortwave will move through the area bringing some rain and snow to the area. Surface temperatures as well as 850mb temps would indicate a rain and snow mix with potentially some light wet snow accumulations possible. Would not expect more than an inch or so at best. Ridging takes hold for Sunday night into Monday night with mainly dry weather expected. The GFS then has a warm air advection event for Tuesday into Tuesday night when rain will likely be the predominant precip form. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 704 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 Little change to the previous forecast. Expect precipitation to increase and ceilings to lower below 2000 ft AGL at all terminals before 03Z and last well after 12Z. There is a low probability for IFR conditions, which most likely would take the form of brief CIGS just below 1000 ft AGL in the 09-13Z timeframe. && .MARINE... Issued at 325 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 A small craft advisory remains in effect from this evening through early Friday morning. Southwest winds will ramp up to 15 to 25 kts tonight and cause wave heights to build to 4 to 7 feet. West winds of 15 to 25 kts will cause wave heights to remain up at around 4 to 7 feet through Thursday as well. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 200 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 Sycamore Creek at Holt has crested a few inches above bankfull and is now receding. Maple River at Maple Rapids continues its slow rise toward bankfull. Only light lake enhanced precipitation is expected this week, but it will not affect river levels. There will be chances for more substantial precipitation next week. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. LM...Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM EST Friday for LMZ844>849. && $$ UPDATE...TJT SYNOPSIS...Laurens SHORT TERM...Laurens LONG TERM...Duke AVIATION...TJT HYDROLOGY...CAS MARINE...Laurens
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Gray ME
1009 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure will track from the Great Lakes into Quebec tonight as a secondary low develops over the mid Atlantic region. This secondary low will track along the New england coast late tonight and Thursday drawing colder air into the mountains and adjacent foothills, changing a snow and rain mix there over to wet snow. Precipitation will taper off on Thursday as the low exits into the maritimes. Somewhat cooler and drier air will arrive late Thursday and Friday with temperatures cooling as we move into the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... 1008 PM Update: Rain Snow line setting up for the time being over southern Oxford county reaching east to along the Franklin/Androscoggin/Kennebec county border. Have adjusted weather and snow total /as well as temperatures/ slightly to match these observations. Do expect a warming trend to commence over the next 1-2 hours...but as mentioned earlier...some light accums possible north of this line. 853 PM Update: Based on spotter reports that corroborate GYX 88D correlation coefficient values across southern Oxford/Franklin counties...have nudged initial rain/snow line a bit further south. This lines up with about a +1C max wetbulb aloft from the RAP. Only minor adjustments in snowfall amounts were necessary. The profile in these spots is expected to warm over the next 2-3 hours...but a quick inch /2?/ of snow is not out of the question. No other changes at this time. 742 PM Update: Forecast continues to generally be in very good shape and have only made minor adjustments based on latest observations including a glance at the 00Z GYX RAOB...which shows a bit too much warm air for SN at GYX...but is well in line with near term RAP forecasts. Correlation coefficient from the GYX 88D reveals a melting layer around 4500 ft AGL...with local lowerings of this in the heavier precipitation elements. Thus...feel that ptype expectation is in good shape with no significant changes necessary. Could see some sleet mix in with the rain as far south as southern Oxford/Franklin counties...but rain will dominate even in these spots through the evening. 547 PM Update: Going forecast in good shape. Input latest observations and adjusted PoPs to slow northward progression of steadier precipitation just a tad based on latest regional radar composite. No significant changes to ptype thinking at this juncture. Will reassess after 00Z RAOB comes in over the next 1-2 hours. Previous discussion below... At 19z...a 1028 millibar high was centered over eastern Canada and was nosing southward into eastern New England. A complex area of low pressure was over the Great Lakes with a wavy frontal boundary extending through the DELMARVA region. NWS doppler radar mosaic showed an extensive area of precipitation along and to the south of the frontal system. Colder and drier air was draining south and west from northern Maine with the canadian high and will set the stage for wintry precipitation across portions of the mountains and foothills as precipitation spreads northward and the atmospheric column cools to at or below 0c. In additional...the developing coastal low will also help to draw even cooler air southward into this area late tonight and Thursday morning as it races northeast along or just offshore. There will be large variations in snow and sleet amounts as we deal with mixing as well as elevation issues. Outside of the mountains and foothills...mainly a cold rain event is expected tonight. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT/... Precipitation will taper from southwest to northeast on Thursday following the passage of the coastal low and occluded front. Precipitation will linger the longest along the International border as well as eastern zones before ending during the afternoon. Some drier air will work into southern New Hampshire and southwest coastal Maine behind the departing low...with partial sunshine and westerly flow allowing temperatures to warm into the lower 50s. Highs elsewhere mainly in the 40s...with 30s across the northern mountains. Breezy and cold Thursday night with mainly clear skies for southern New Hampshire and much of the coastal plain in downslope flow. Elsewhere...cyclonic flow and upslope with a few mainly mountain snow showers. Lows will be in the 30s. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... By daytime Friday cold air has already begun shifting into the Great Lakes region and New England. Additional snow showers are likely over the mountains with rain showers less likely as a surface trough moving offshore. Reinforcing cold air arrives Friday night with 850mb temperatures dropping to near -10 degrees C. Additional snow accumulations are likely Saturday on northward facing slopes as WNW winds increase aloft and at the surface. Winds will be strong and gusty from the NW on Saturday. This will help clouds clear out over the coastal plain gradually. Sunday through Tuesday cold high pressure from Canada builds in. Temperatures early in the work week will be around the mid 20s/lower 30s north to upper 30s/near 40 for highs. Overnight it looks like there will be at least a few chilly nights: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with readings in the tens and teens across the mountains and 20s elsewhere. There will be a gradual warm up for mid week for southern NH and on the coast with warm air advection trying to nudge in ahead of the next wave arriving from the central CONUS. However...during this time cold air damming sharpens as it did earlier this week and isentropic lift increases over the cold dome at the surface. This may bring mixed precipitation and dense fog/freezing fog conditions to areas away from the coast. && .AVIATION /03Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Short Term /Through Thursday night/... Summary: Low pressure will develop along an arriving front tonight and move east of the region on Thursday with another round of rain and poor flying conditions expected...with improvement by late morning Thursday and continuing through Thursday night as low pressure pulls away to the east. Restrictions: MVFR/IFR conditions will deteriorate to LIFR/IFR in rain overnight. Improvement back to VFR is expected behind departing low pressure on Thursday afternoon with VFR generally expected through Thursday night outside of some possible MVFR cigs and light snow showers at HIE. Winds: Northeasterly winds 10kts /14g22kts at the coast/ for the overnight will shift west/northwesterly during the morning Thursday and continue through the afternoon...strengthening to 10g18kts. Thursday night these winds will diminish below 10kts. LLWS: Southeasterly winds in the 1-2kft layer increase to 35-45kts for the overnight with shear ending near or just after daybreak Thursday. Long Term...RKD, AUG, and PWM will see a chance of -SHRA through mainly Friday. HIE may continue to experience -SHSN through Saturday. NW winds will be gusty especially Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning. VFR returns to all TAF sites Sunday with additional rain and snow showers moving in from the SW late Sunday into Monday. && .MARINE... Short Term /Through Thursday night/...Winds and seas build quickly ahead of the coastal low overnight and it`s likely we`ll see a period of Gales over our eastern waters including Penobscot Bay late tonight and Thursday morning immediately ahead of the coastal low. behind it...westerly flow should reach small craft. Long Term...Winds will most likely reach SCA criteria on the outer waters and bays Saturday afternoon into early Sunday. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM EST Thursday for MEZ008-013- 014. Winter Storm Warning until 3 PM EST Thursday for MEZ009. NH...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM EST Thursday for ANZ153-154. Gale Warning until 11 AM EST Thursday for ANZ150>152. && $$ SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM...Arnott SHORT TERM... LONG TERM... AVIATION...Arnott/Hanes MARINE...
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
915 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Mild and moist south to southwest winds will continue through tonight as a strong cold front approaches the Carolinas from the west. The front will move off the Carolina Coasts and offshore during Thursday morning, basically around daybreak. Cooler and drier Canadian high pressure will infiltrate the area during Thursday through Sunday. Areas of low pressure will affect the area late Sunday thru the first half of next week with clouds and increasing rain chances. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/... As of 830 PM Wednesday...After the line of convection pushed across the Appalachians, a decrease with intensity was noted as well as some pcpn areal coverage. The activity is now pushing across the I-95 corridor and has now stabilized with respect to intensity. Meaning, it`s basically light shra with embedded moderate shra. Occasionally, will see a reflectivity more in the form of a convective cell, but they have become less and less of an occurrence as this pcpn as a whole moves eastward. The activity will become somewhat more diffuse in coverage when it reaches the ILM CWA Coast. This due to question instability and the main dynamics aloft, ie. 300 mb wind jet streak further staying further west and north of the ILM CWA as it moves off to the NE. Thus, the area does not directly experience the RR quadrant of this upper jet along with the associated UVVS. Have made adjustments to the POPs and QPF thru daytime Thu morning in response to this area of pcpn tracking to the east with individual elements accelerating to the northeast. Have indicated 3 hr QPF blocks to better gage the occurrence of pcpn amounts. Very little tweaking of temps and dewpoints needed at this time with expected CFP followed by CAA and drier air basically occurring late this period, but mainly during the short term period following. Previous.................................................... As of 300 PM Wednesday...Strong southwesterly winds aloft continue ahead of a large upper level-low that is still centered over the northern Mississippi River valley of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Water vapor imagery is showing the strong jet rotating up the southeast side of the low with speed nearing 110 knots at 500 mb over the lower Mississippi River valley. Most of the showers that formed on the convergence boundary this morning have shifted off the coast with a scattered showers developing back to the west over Columbus and Bladen counties. The showers are expected to be isolated to scattered through the early evening. The 17 UTC HRRR shows the convective line that is moving across Georgia at this time will approach the western counties around 7 PM, and will weaken as it moves across the county warning area through the night. Also, the 12 UTC NAM, GFS and ECMWF all show this strong line weakening as it moves across the region. The chances for significant precipitation in our area are not looking as good with this model cycle. The models are indicating the chances of precipitation will extend to just after 12 UTC for southeast South Carolina but earlier for the areas to the west. The lows overnight will drop into the middle 50s west of Interstate 95 and lower 60s at the coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 300 PM Wednesday...This period will see the remainder of any showers exiting the southeast North Carolina coast with high pressure building in behind the cold front. This high pressure is expected to continue through Friday night. High temperatures are expect to only be in the upper 60s on Thursday and with cold air advection behind the cold front highs on Friday will only be around 60. Low temperatures on Thursday night will fall into the upper 30s well inland to the lower to middle 40s at the immediate coast line. On Friday night temperatures will drop into the middle 30s well inland and 40 to 42 at the beaches. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 300 PM Wednesday...A deep cutoff upper low across the Baja peninsula will eject out into the southern stream flow early next week, bringing rain chances to the Carolinas. However the timing of this remains uncertain owing to extremely large model differences between the slower GFS and faster ECMWF. Forecasters at WPC have access to a great deal of data we don`t at the local NWS level, and noted in their extended discussion that the ECMWF ensembles resemble the GFS operational run and its ensembles much more than they do the ECMWF operational run. For this reason, we favor a GFS-centric forecast for the extended period. Surface high pressure and a low-amplitude upper level ridge should keep Saturday dry. However by Sunday moisture should begin increasing in advance of the big upper system ejecting out of Mexico. While even the fast GFS doesn`t bring the trough to our longitude until Tuesday, increasing flow of Gulf moisture in the mid-levels should bring clouds and perhaps a little light rain to the area Sunday afternoon or Sunday night. Rain chances then develop again on Tuesday when I`ve increased rain chances to 40-50 percent. A northern stream trough which is shown in both the GFS and ECMWF should roll east out of the Rockies during the middle of next week and could begin to spread another risk of rain into the area by late Wednesday. && .AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 00Z...Persistent fog along the coastal terminals has broken up leaving IFR ceilings with low stratus. A cold front will track across the TAF sites from west to east tonight. This should produce a line of showers with gusty SW to W winds. Have not included thunderstorms in TAFs due to timing of frontal passage, but expect rapidly moving showers with some heavier rain and stronger winds possible just ahead of and along the front from 02-06z inland and 05-09z along the coast. Post fropa expect VFR with westerly winds through end of TAF period. Extended outlook...Expect VFR. Expect clouds and pcp back in forecast by end of period with some MVFR/IFR conditions possible by Monday. && .MARINE... NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 830 PM Wednesday...Winds over the waters have veered slightly from due S to SSW-SW at the moment. Enough cooler SSTS remain nearshore to keep winds aloft from mixing down to the ocean sfc. This is evidenced with Johnny Mercer Pier at 10 to 15 kt wind speeds with latest SSTS at low to mid 60s...and Frying Pan Shoals buoy at 20 to 30 kt wind speeds with latest SSTS in the mid to upper 70s. Thus, will forecast the ILM coastal waters basically in the middle of these 2 extremes. Significant seas will run 4 to 7 ft for the ILM SC Waters and 4 to 8 ft for the ILM NC Waters. The higher seas will occur across locations with the higher SSts and thus hier wind speeds. This includes the local waters off Cape Fear and Cape Romain. Previous................................................. As of 300 PM Wednesday...South winds of around 20 knots are occurring over the waters this afternoon well ahead of cold front that is located just west of Georgia to southern Mississippi. As the front moves closer to the coastal waters the winds will become southwest and increase to 20 to 25 knots with higher gust. Seas are running between 4 and 6 feet from 20 miles offshore to the coast. Seas are expected to increase to 5 to 7 feet overnight. A small craft advisory will continue for all the water through the night. SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 300 PM Wednesday...At sunrise the cold front will be approaching the coastal waters and will move across the waters during the morning. As the winds direction shifts behind the cold front they will weaken, and the seas will diminish below small craft conditions south of Little River around 7 AM and 10 AM north of Little River. By Thursday evening, the winds will shift from the west to the northwest by Thursday evening, and remain north to northwest through Friday night. Winds will relax to 10 knots by Friday and seas will settle out around 2 to 3 feet during this time frame. LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 300 PM Wednesday...Canadian high pressure over the Mid- Mississippi Valley will build east into the Carolinas early Sunday, weakening slightly as the centers sits across the interior of both states Sunday night. Moderate offshore breezes Saturday should gradually die down Saturday night, but may get re- energized Sunday night as a wave of low pressure begins to take shape along the Georgia coast late. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. NC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for AMZ254-256. Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM EST Thursday for AMZ250-252. && $$ SYNOPSIS...DCH NEAR TERM...DCH/DRH SHORT TERM...DRH LONG TERM...TRA AVIATION...RAN
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
736 PM CST Wed Nov 30 2016 .UPDATE... 736 PM CST The going forecast for tonight and Thursday morning remains in good shape with the message being occasional sprinkles trending more patchy light snow showers/flurries overnight, mainly north, and some flurries/sprinkles lingering into the morning commute. Temperatures should be nearly steady with a wind chill in the mid 20s, and overall impact of precip looks to remain low. Broad but closed upper circulation over northern Wisconsin/U.P. of Michigan continues to funnel cyclonic flow across the area. One embedded short wave is moving across southern Wisconsin, with another more pronounced one dropping southeastward over the Twin Cities. Light echoes over the CWA have mainly been sprinkles due to a lack of cloud ice, but deeper saturation to colder than -10C is improving per 00Z DVN raob and upstream infrared satellite imagery. The DVN WFO was receiving flurries as of 715 pm as verification of this. The second disturbance still is timed to rotate over far northern Illinois overnight as mentioned in previous discussion, providing the best time for associated scattered snow showers. Lift remains slightly below the DGZ in RAP and NAM guidance, and the lift is not that great to begin with nor are lapse rates, so expecting the showers to be mostly light and non-accumulating while pockets of just flurries are more common. The short wave is forecast to be east of the area by 6 a.m., with patchy flurries during the commute time. MTF && .SHORT TERM... 253 PM CST Through Thursday... Main concern is isolated to scattered snow showers and flurries tonight into Thursday morning. Initial shortwave bringing isolated to scattered shower/sprinkle activity can be seen on W/V across eastern Iowa this afternoon. This wave will pivot northeastward, giving a glancing blow to north central Illinois, where the highest chance range PoPs have been focused into this evening. Farther south and east, chances for any measurable precip will be lower, so kept PoPs in slight chance range, though did expand them southward to account for current radar observations. Latest guidance suggests that the shortwave more likely to focus forcing into northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana will swing through overnight. This is when the highest chance PoPs have been expanded east-southeast toward the Chicago area and northwest Indiana. Temperatures are likely to remain primarily above freezing tonight, again with rain-snow showers favored earlier on and then transitioning to all snow showers with time this evening. Still not anticipating any impacts other than perhaps brief occasional reduced visibility, as air temps above freezing and mild road temps will prevent any accumulations, with a dusting at most on grassy/colder surfaces. The final trailing shortwave on the backside of the upper low will move across the area Thursday morning, which could keep some isolated snow showers/flurries going through mid-late AM. Any precipitation could mix back with light rain/sprinkles before ending. The area will remain socked in with stratus through the day as we remain under cyclonic flow with the back edge of the stratus way back over the Northern High Plains. Temperatures aloft will be slightly warmer than today, but the clouds will suppress any limited warming, so expect highs in the upper 30s to around 40 (38-41). West winds gusting up to 20-25 mph will make for a chilly feeling start to December and meteorological winter despite seasonable temperatures. Castro && .LONG TERM... 241 PM CST Thursday night through Wednesday... A rather cloudy, and at times, active weather pattern looks to be in place across the central CONUS through the period. The first period of active weather could come into play on Sunday as a northern stream mid-level disturbance tracks eastward towards the area. There has been some questions as to the evolution of an evolving close upper low over near the Baja of California Friday into Saturday. Most notably, will it try to phase with the northern stream wave. Current indications suggest that it will not phase with the northern stream wave. As a consequence...it appears that moisture return to the area could be modest, allowing only light precipitation to occur over the area Sunday. P-Type could be an issue Sunday, with the potential for snow, though with marginal thermal profiles, we have continued the mention of rain or snow. Following this system it does appear there will be a day or so of quiet weather across the area as surface high pressure builds over the area. However, forecast confidence decreases substantially early next week. With the southwestern CONUS/northern Mexico upper low possibly remaining removed from the northern stream wave moving across the region Sunday, it appears possible this system could begin to eject northeastward sometime Monday into Tuesday as another strong upper Trough, and an attendant speed max, digs over the western CONUS. This could set up a period inclement weather over the area late Monday into Tuesday. While it appears this potential period of weather will be in the form of rain at this time, it is possible that it could begin as a light mix Monday night. With this possibility I have mentioned a chance for a light rain or snow mix through early Tuesday morning. Otherwise, there is the potential for another storm system later next week. Forecast confidence is very high during this period, but there have been some indications of late that a storms system could impact the central CONUS during this period. However, the main local impacts of this potential storm system are largely uncertain at the present, but should be watched in the come days. KJB && .AVIATION... For the 00Z TAFs... Main concerns: * MVFR cigs through the period with the potential a short period of IFR cigs overnight. * Snow showers/flurries this evening and overnight. Expansive mvfr stratus deck remains in place under upper level low pressure. Cigs have improved to higher end mvfr and low end vfr, but anticipate that will gradually lower back to prevailing mvfr tonight. Upstream obs are already indicating lowering cigs, so will just go with mvfr cigs out of the gate for the 00Z update. Upper level disturbances rotating around the southern periphery of the upper low will bring waves of scattered snow shower activity to the region overnight tonight and into Thursday morning. Temperatures currently are still marginal for snow at 00Z, so pcpn could start out as mixed rain/snow showers, but should then change over to all snow through the evening. Have added a tempo for mvfr vis and 1000ft cigs at ORD for a few hours after midnight, with some of the guidance suggesting that some heavier snow shower activity should cross nrn IL, mostly impacting RFD/DPA/ORD, but at this point, it looks like MDW/GYY should remain south of the potential more moderate snow showers. But, given relatively warm ground conditions left over from temps in the 50s for the past few days, not expecting any accumulation. Any pcpn should come to an end by arnd 14-15z tomorrow morning and could change back over to rain before all pcpn is done for the day. Winds will remain west-southwest through this evening and then gradually veer west overnight. Gusts to arnd 20kt are likely through the night and for much of the day tomorrow. && .MARINE... 312 PM CST Westerly winds will set up over Lake Michigan this evening as surface low pressure continues to shift northeastward over the Upper Great Lakes. Wind speeds will be the strongest over the southern end of the lake, where some 25 to 30 KT winds are likely. We will continue the small craft advisory for the Indiana shores due to waves and winds. However, we have continued to hold off on a small craft for the Illinois shores due to the offshore component. So, while some 25 KT winds are possibly on the Illinois side, wave heights should remain below 4 FT. High pressure will gradually build over the region by Saturday, resulting in abating winds later in the week. The weather pattern later this weekend into next week looks like it could become active again. However, forecast confidence in regards to the local impacts remains low this far out. KJB && .LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...NONE. IN...NONE. LM...Small Craft Advisory...INDIANA NEARSHORE WATERS UNTIL 9 PM Thursday. && $$ VISIT US AT HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO (ALL LOWERCASE) FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK...TWITTER...AND YOUTUBE AT: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NWSCHICAGO WWW.TWITTER.COM/NWSCHICAGO WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/NWSCHICAGO
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Marquette MI
656 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 417 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 WV imagery and RAP analysis indicated a mid/upper level low over northeast IA with troughing to the northeast through wrn Lake Superior to James Bay. At the surface, a trough extended from wrn WI to a developing low over se Lake Superior resulting in light winds over most of Upper Michigan but increasing n to ne winds over west and central Lake Superior. An area of pcpn (rain mixed with sleet) that has lifted through n cntrl Upper Michigan into Lake Superior and the Keweenaw was supported by 900-700 mb fgen and 285 isentropic lift. Light lake enhanced pcpn has also slid into IWD as the low level nrly flow edges eastward. Tonight, expect the lake enhanced pcpn, rain changing to snow, to expand over the wrn cwa for locations favored by nrly flow. Even with only marginal instability (850/700 mb temps of -6C/-12C over 6C lake surface) abundant upstream and deeper moisture along with upslope flow will support snowfall amounts to around 2 inches. Wet- bulb zero heights suggest that any pcpn developing over the east half will be mainly rain. Thursday, as the mid level low consolidates south of James Bay, the sfc trough/low will also slide into Quebec, low level winds will back to the southwest. Additional snowfall amounts to around 2 inches will be possible over mainly the Keweenaw and the Huron Mountains(w of Big Bay to Herman). CAA will change the remaining pcpn to snow over the east. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 255 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 During the beginning of the medium range period, a slowly weakening cyc nw flow arnd a slowly departing closed lo in Quebec wl cause some lk effect pcpn into Sat. Although a passing hi pres rdg wl bring mainly dry wx for Sat into Sun, another shrtwv/lo pres trof aprchg fm the w wl bring a return of some pcpn later on Sun. Expect dry wx on Mon as the trailing hi pres rdg overspreads the area. While the fcst wl include some pops much of the time during the medium range, pcpn and any snow totals should be on the lgt side. A more important lo pres lifting out of the wrn trof and toward the wrn Great Lks next Tue/Wed may result in a more sngft pcpn event then, but model differences on the fcst are too sgnft to pin down any details attm. Overall temps into early next week wl run aoa normal. Thu ngt thru Fri ngt...Although the larger scale forcing to support pcpn wl be waning as the closed lo over wrn Quebec at 00Z on Fri weakens and drifts slowly to the e, leaving deep lyr qvector dvgc/ subsidence over the Upr Lks, a persistent albeit weakening cyc nw flow in the presence of plentiful llvl mstr and h85 temps within a few degrees of -6C /compared to Lk Sup water temps in the 7-8C range/ wl support continued lk effect pcpn. This pcpn wl be in the form of mainly snow over the interior w half, with more of a rain/snow mix near the warming influence of the lakes. Bumped up pops above the consensus fcst and into the likely range in the upslope areas favored by the expected llvl flow. The incrsgly negative larger scale dynamics...marginally chilly h85 temps...warm ground temps and absence of a deep dgz sug snow accums wl be a few inches at most thru this time even over the hier terrain of the w half. Sat/Sat ngt...Although a sfc hi pres rdg/acyc larger scale llvl flow extending fm Ontario into the wrn Great Lks wl drift acrs Upr MI on Sat, many of the models depict some lgt pcpn lingering along a lk induced lo pres trof and under some persistent llvl mstr. On Sat ngt, the llvl flow wl shift to the s after the hi pres rdg axis moves to the e, ending any lingering pcpn except over Lk Sup and the ern cwa downwind of Lk MI. Any snow accums during this time wl be under an inch. Sun/Sun ngt...Another shrtwv/lo pres trof embedded in the more zonal flow alf is progged to impact the area during this time. Waa/hgt falls/uvv ahead of this disturbance wl result in some pcpn arriving w to e on Sun. Fcst llvl thermal fields sug the pcpn wl be a rain/ snow mix, with the ptype primarily snow over the interior w half. But since mstr inflow is progged to be marginal and the shrtwv/lo pres trof are progged to weaken with a larger scale tendency toward a bldg upr rdg in the Plains, expect only lgt snow accums. The sly flow ahead of the lo pres trof off Lk MI in the presence of h85 temps still arnd -6C may result in some lk enhancement of the mixed pcpn there. The arrival of dnva/large scale subsidence in the wake of the passing disturbance and ahead of upr rdg/sfc hi pres in the Plains wl cause the pcpn to diminish w-e on Sun ngt. Since h85 temps within the trailing airmass are progged to rise toward -4C by 12Z Mon, no lk effect pcpn is expected in the wake of the passing/ weakening trof. Mon thru Wed...Bldg upr rdg/sfc hi pres are fcst to drift into the wrn Great Lks on Mon, resulting in dry wx and some warmer temps as h85 temps rebound to near 2C. Expect a return of some pops on Tue as some waa btwn the departing sfc hi pres rdg and a shrtwv/lo pres moving newd out of a deep wrn trof overspreads the area. The longer range models show some sgnft differences in the evolution/track of the sfc lo pres for next Wed that would support either rain or a surge of colder air and some lk effect snow showers. Considering the sgnft uncertainties, made no changes to the consensus fcst. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 655 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 Increasing cyclonic flow on the backside of low pres organizing over eastern Lake Superior will lead to deteriorating conditions at KIWD/KCMX/KSAW tonight as -shsn increase in coverage. Initially, pcpn will be a mix of snow/rain early this evening. Overall, prevailing MVFR conditions at KIWD/KCMX will fall to IFR tonight as -shsn coverage will be greatest over w and nw Upper MI. At KSAW, VFR conditions initially will fall to MVFR overnight and to IFR for a time Thu morning. Conditions at KIWD/KCMX will likely remain IFR for much of Thu, but there may be some improvement late at KCMX as the low shifts farther away. && .MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance) Issued at 417 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 Low pressure will linger over the western Great Lakes through Thursday. However the pressure gradient is not expected to be as tight with remaining below 25 knots. Northerly winds to near 30 knots are expected to develop tonight into Thursday as the slow moving trough moves to the east of Lake Superior into Quebec. High pressure will then build into the area into Saturday with winds below 20 knots. && .MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Upper Michigan... None. Lake Superior... None. Lake Michigan... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...JLB LONG TERM...KC AVIATION...Rolfson MARINE...JLB
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
443 AM EST Thu Dec 1 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A large and deep storm system will move slowly through Quebec over the next couple of days, setting up a prolonged period of cool northwest flow over the local area. High pressure will build in for a brief time Sunday before the next frontal system approached early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Rain has come to an end with the front that moved east of the area shortly after midnight. We will transition into a cooler west- northwest flow pattern today with the usual cold season strato-cu clouds and scattered showers of rain or snow that will mainly favor the NW and Laurel Highlands. The low level wind field will initially be mainly out of the west which normally confines the best lake enhanced showers over southern NY or extreme NW Pa. I leaned closer to HRRR POPs with the meso model confining most showers very close to the lake during the day. The wind is expected to become a bit more NWLY overnight which will help bring precipitation more into my NWRN zones. However the upstream air is only marginally cold and BUFKIT shows limited low level instability of the air passing over the lakes so I am not too excited about the prospects for any kind of significant lake effect. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/... The cold NW flow will remain air in place for Friday, but again the cold air is unimpressive so NW snow shower activity is not expected to amount to more than nuisance amounts. With high temps expected to be above freezing, most areas will ave a hard time making any snow stick at all. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Most areas will be precipitation free Sat-Mon except the northwestern areas where some the over-lake trajectory will bring the usual areas the familiar kind of lake effect showers that happen so often in the cool season. Sunday looks like we will see a brief respite as high pressure moves over the state. By late Sunday into the overnight, a period of light snow is possible as a northern stream shortwave races through the region with a burst of warm advection. QPF looks to be on the order of a tenth of an inch or less, but occurring overnight many places could see their first coating of snow of the young season. By midweek there is decent agreement in bringing the SW US upper low up through the OHIO Valley as a shearing out shortwave and diffuse surface low. Unless cold air damming traps enough chilly air in the low levels to make for some freezing rain, the precip type with this midwest system looks to be mainly rain. The end of the week brings some model disagreement with the GFS/GEFS being faster than the ECMWF with the next upper trof and frontal system. The end of the extended has just a chance of showers given the lack of confidence. && .AVIATION /10Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Surface ridging and arrival of drier air has brought improving conditions across Central Pa early this morning, with mostly clear skies noted over the eastern half of the state at 09Z. Further west, residual low level moisture ascending the Appalachian Mtns continues to result in MVFR stratocu at KBFD and KJST. Model soundings and upstream observations support mainly MVFR CIGs at KBFD/KJST through dawn and predominantly VFR elsewhere. Very little change indicated during the daylight hours later today, with persistent MVFR CIGs over the upslope region from KBFD to KJST and possibly extending into KUNV/KAOO. A downsloping/drying west wind should ensure VFR conds further east. After a brief lull in the wind speeds this morning over Eastern Pa, expect a rather gusty daytime, as stronger flow aloft begins mixing to ground level. Bufkit soundings support frequent gusts to around 25kts after about 14Z. A WSW wind flow should keep lake effect snow showers mainly north of the border today. However, latest model data suggests a slight shift in the wind could cause the lake effect snow showers to move from upstate NY into NW Pa tonight. Thus, IFR vis reductions appear possible at KBFD tonight. Outlook... Fri-Sat...MVFR CIGS and ocnl SHSN/IFR vis possible KBFD/KJST. Sun...Slight chance of light snow/reduced vis at night. Mon...No sig wx expected. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...La Corte NEAR TERM...DeVoir/La Corte SHORT TERM...La Corte LONG TERM...La Corte AVIATION...Fitzgerald
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
321 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday) Issued at 320 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 Low pressure centered near the Ontario and Quebec border will move slowly east today into tonight. Cyclonic flow, low level moisture, and colder air will support light precipitation today over the Northland. A gravity wave feature was observed along the North Shore into northern Douglas county as well and the RAP suggests it will remain in some form today. Moisture was deep enough into colder air aloft to support mostly light snow early this morning with surface temperatures warm enough in a few spots to support light rain or drizzle. We do expect the coverage of the precipitation to diminish through the day over much of the Northland. There will be a loss of mid level moisture today into tonight over portions of the Northland which will cause the precipitation to mix with or become freezing drizzle or drizzle where it lingers. Colder air flowing over Lake Superior will cause lake effect snow to become more widespread through the day along portions of the South Shore, continuing into tonight. There may be a mix that occurs close to Lake Superior due to the warmer lake temperatures. The low level flow will back this afternoon into this evening to more northwest which will is less than ideal for lake effect snow over the snowbelt of Ashland and Iron counties. Snowfall from 2 to 4 inches will be possible today into tonight, mainly over northern Iron county. There could be some locally higher amounts as well. Outside of the lake effect precipitation, we expect mainly dry conditions over the rest of the Northland tonight into Friday. It is possible there could be some patchy freezing drizzle/flurries in spots but we don`t think it will be widespread enough to include at this time. We expect highs today in the upper twenties to mid thirties with highs in the upper twenties to lower thirties on Friday. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 320 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 The next weather system to affect the region is progged to traverse the Upper Midwest late Saturday night and Sunday. A broad lower tropospheric warm advection pattern should be the primary forcing mechanism for ascent and precip production. There is still no true arctic air in place this weekend, and thus, temps will be sufficiently warm that some precip could be in the form of rain during the day on Sunday. Short wave ridging then builds briefly into the Upper Midwest/Western Great Lakes region Sunday night into Monday night as a low level Pacific-type airmass once again takes up residence over the region. While we do not have PoPs mentioned during this time period right now, it is entirely possible that a mention of drizzle/freezing drizzle/flurries/fog may eventually need to be added, as low level clouds are unlikely to clear with persistent weak low level ascent. Thereafter, the pattern becomes very active for the rest of next week as the medium range models all suggest that another significant winter storm will take shape over the middle part of the country during the Tues-Thurs time frame. It should be emphasized at this point that any specific forecasts of snow/ice/blizzard conditions for any particular area directly from deterministic model data should be taken with a very large grain of salt, as both the GFS/ECMWF have exhibited considerable inconsistency with timing and placement both from run to run and between models. With that said, both medium range models seem to be slowly coming to the consensus that this system will have a deep fetch of quality low level moisture supplied by 48+ hours of southerly flow northward through the Mississippi Valley in the warm sector, and an ample supply of true arctic air flooding southward on the west side of the trof axis. Typically this time of year, when an amplifying full latitude trof has these two ingredients to work with, there is often something quite significant that eventually results. Therefore, there is at least some potential for 1) significant snow accumulations, 2) a band of wintry mixed precipitation, and 3) some thunderstorms, followed by 4) the first true outbreak of arctic air across the Northland by the end of next week. Details on the strength of any potential storm, as well as timing and placement of precipitation will come into focus over the next few days, and it will be an excellent idea for anyone with weather interests across the region to stay current with the latest information over the coming days. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) Issued at 1146 PM CST Wed Nov 30 2016 The low pressure system that has impacted the Northland TAF sites over the past many periods will gradually start to lose its grip on the Northland over the next day or so. Some snow showers will continue off and on overnight, and into Thursday, but the trend will be to taper off with time. Sky cover will be highly variable with some VFR mixed in with MVFR/IFR. We should see mainly MVFR on Thursday during the day, along with some VFR. There could be a bit of patchy freezing drizzle late in the night, especially at KINL and KHIB, but it is expected to be limited in duration and amount. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DLH 31 26 30 24 / 30 10 10 0 INL 29 24 29 21 / 20 10 10 10 BRD 33 25 29 21 / 20 10 10 0 HYR 34 26 31 24 / 30 10 10 10 ASX 34 29 33 26 / 40 20 10 10 && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. LS...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Melde LONG TERM...Miller AVIATION...DAP
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Marquette MI
500 AM EST Thu Dec 1 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 417 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 WV imagery and RAP analysis indicated a mid/upper level low over northeast IA with troughing to the northeast through wrn Lake Superior to James Bay. At the surface, a trough extended from wrn WI to a developing low over se Lake Superior resulting in light winds over most of Upper Michigan but increasing n to ne winds over west and central Lake Superior. An area of pcpn (rain mixed with sleet) that has lifted through n cntrl Upper Michigan into Lake Superior and the Keweenaw was supported by 900-700 mb fgen and 285 isentropic lift. Light lake enhanced pcpn has also slid into IWD as the low level nrly flow edges eastward. Tonight, expect the lake enhanced pcpn, rain changing to snow, to expand over the wrn cwa for locations favored by nrly flow. Even with only marginal instability (850/700 mb temps of -6C/-12C over 6C lake surface) abundant upstream and deeper moisture along with upslope flow will support snowfall amounts to around 2 inches. Wet- bulb zero heights suggest that any pcpn developing over the east half will be mainly rain. Thursday, as the mid level low consolidates south of James Bay, the sfc trough/low will also slide into Quebec, low level winds will back to the southwest. Additional snowfall amounts to around 2 inches will be possible over mainly the Keweenaw and the Huron Mountains(w of Big Bay to Herman). CAA will change the remaining pcpn to snow over the east. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 458 AM EST THU DEC 1 2016 Fri into Fri night: Models indicate the closed low over sw Quebec will weaken and lift east toward New England late Fri. Behind the low, cold air will linger over the Upper Great Lakes under a cyclonic nnw flow. However 850 mb temperatures progged to be in the -5C to -6C range will only be marginally cold enough to support lake effect pcpn with Lake Superior sfc temps of 6-7C. Snow will be the primary precip type although a mix of rain is possible along the shoreline and east during the daytime hours on Fri. Given the general absence of enhancement and a fairly elevated dgz expect any snow accums to be inch or less. Sat into Sat night: Light lake effect precipitation supported by low- level convergence should be dwindling or ending over the east half by afternoon or evening as the high pressure ridge axis moves across Upper Michigan and winds back more west to southwest. Sun into Sun night: Models indicate that the next shortwave trough in zonal flow aloft will move in from the Northern Plains late Sun into Sun night. Deep layer q-vector convergence ahead of this shortwave will result in pcpn spreading w to e across the cwa on Sun. Pcpn will be mostly in the form of snow over the west half but will be more a mix of rain and snow east half due to moderation from Lake Mi in southerly flow ahead of shortwave. 850 mb temps -6 to -7c should be sufficiently cold enough given Lake Mi sfc temps of 9C for some lake enhancement of pcpn into Schoolcraft and Luce counties Sun into Sun evening which could produce some accumulating snow well inland from Lake Mi. Given limited moisture inflow with the system expect most system snow amounts to be generally less than an inch. Monday into Thursday: Models trending toward more amplified pattern for next week as a 120+ kt 300-250 mb jet max and assoc shortwave energy digging in from the eastern Pacific will carve out a broad mid-upper level trough over the Western CONUS by early next week. Model consensus of downstream ridging into the Great Lakes region in response to the developing western CONUS trough will keep Upper Mi mostly dry Mon into Mon night with a slight warming trend. Model uncertainty increases from Tue into late week with the 00Z GFS being much more progressive than 00Z ECMWF and Canadian with stronger shortwave energy ejecting out of base of western CONUS trough. Given uncertainty will use model consensus for pops which tend to keep area dry from Mon into most of Tue but then brings in pcpn for Tue night into Wed. Evolution/track of developing strong sfc low is very much in question so initial pcpn for Tue night into Wed may end up being more of a mix of rain/snow and then transition to more lake enhanced/lake effect snow for late next week. Once cold advection ensues behind the system, there will also likely be a period of stronger winds accompanying lake effect snow later in the week. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) Issued at 1154 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 Cyclonic flow on the backside of low pres over eastern Lake Superior will result in mostly prevailing IFR conditions with -shsn at KIWD/KCMX/KSAW overnight into the morning hrs. With a more direct upslope flow, IFR conditions will be most persistent at KIWD with even some LIFR at times overnight. -Shsn will continue today, especially at KIWD/KCMX. Conditions should also improve to low MVFR, though IFR may tend to hang on at KIWD. && .MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance) Issued at 417 PM EST WED NOV 30 2016 Low pressure will linger over the western Great Lakes through Thursday. However the pressure gradient is not expected to be as tight with remaining below 25 knots. Northerly winds to near 30 knots are expected to develop tonight into Thursday as the slow moving trough moves to the east of Lake Superior into Quebec. High pressure will then build into the area into Saturday with winds below 20 knots. && .MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Upper Michigan... None. Lake Superior... None. Lake Michigan... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...JLB LONG TERM...Voss AVIATION...Rolfson MARINE...JLB
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
704 AM EST Thu Dec 1 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A large and deep storm system will move slowly through Quebec over the next couple of days, setting up a prolonged period of cool northwest flow over the local area. High pressure will build in for a brief time Sunday before the next frontal system approached early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Rain has come to an end with the front that moved east of the area shortly after midnight. We will transition into a cooler west- northwest flow pattern today with the usual cold season strato-cu clouds and scattered showers of rain or snow that will mainly favor the NW and Laurel Highlands. The low level wind field will initially be mainly out of the west which normally confines the best lake enhanced showers over southern NY or extreme NW Pa. I leaned closer to HRRR POPs with the meso model confining most showers very close to the lake during the day. The wind is expected to become a bit more NWLY overnight which will help bring precipitation more into my NWRN zones. However the upstream air is only marginally cold and BUFKIT shows limited low level instability of the air passing over the lakes so I am not too excited about the prospects for any kind of significant lake effect. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/... The cold NW flow will remain air in place for Friday, but again the cold air is unimpressive so NW snow shower activity is not expected to amount to more than nuisance amounts. With high temps expected to be above freezing, most areas will ave a hard time making any snow stick at all. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Most areas will be precipitation free Sat-Mon except the northwestern areas where some the over-lake trajectory will bring the usual areas the familiar kind of lake effect showers that happen so often in the cool season. Sunday looks like we will see a brief respite as high pressure moves over the state. By late Sunday into the overnight, a period of light snow is possible as a northern stream shortwave races through the region with a burst of warm advection. QPF looks to be on the order of a tenth of an inch or less, but occurring overnight many places could see their first coating of snow of the young season. By midweek there is decent agreement in bringing the SW US upper low up through the OHIO Valley as a shearing out shortwave and diffuse surface low. Unless cold air damming traps enough chilly air in the low levels to make for some freezing rain, the precip type with this midwest system looks to be mainly rain. The end of the week brings some model disagreement with the GFS/GEFS being faster than the ECMWF with the next upper trof and frontal system. The end of the extended has just a chance of showers given the lack of confidence. && .AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Surface ridging and arrival of drier air has brought improving conditions across Central Pa early this morning, with mostly clear skies noted over the eastern half of the state at 12Z. Further west, residual low level moisture ascending the Appalachian Mtns is resulting in MVFR stratocu across the western and central part of the state. Very little change indicated later today, with persistent MVFR CIGs over the upslope region from KBFD to KJST and possibly extending into KUNV/KAOO. A downsloping/drying west wind should ensure VFR conds further east. After a brief lull in the wind speeds this morning over Eastern Pa, expect a rather gusty daytime, as stronger flow aloft begins mixing to ground level. Bufkit soundings support frequent gusts to around 25kts across the entire region later today. A WSW wind flow should keep lake effect snow showers mainly north of the border today. However, latest model data suggests a slight shift in the wind could cause the lake effect snow showers to move from upstate NY into NW Pa tonight. Thus, IFR vis reductions appear possible at KBFD tonight. Outlook... Fri-Sat...MVFR CIGS and ocnl SHSN/IFR vis possible KBFD/KJST. Sun...Slight chance of light snow/reduced vis at night. Mon...No sig wx expected. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...La Corte NEAR TERM...DeVoir/La Corte SHORT TERM...La Corte LONG TERM...La Corte AVIATION...Fitzgerald
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
911 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 911 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 Updated to add chance of freezing drizzle across areas north of iron range and arrowhead for this morning. Have receive ed reports of ZL- in those areas. The threat for s-/ZL- still looks possible for the rest of the day with the low clouds and abundant low level moisture across the area. Rest of fcst unchanged. UPDATE Issued at 558 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 An updated aviation discussion is below for the 12Z TAF issuance. UPDATE Issued at 449 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 Impressive gravity wave induced precipitation band has formed this morning along the North Shore into Douglas and Pine counties this morning. The low level flow was north from 15 to 20 knots through 850mb per KDLH VWP. NAM BUFR soundings show a strong low level inversion. Both the NAM and RAP show the gravity wave continuing through much of the day. However, they also show low to mid level moisture diminishing this morning into the afternoon which would cause the precipitation to diminish. The intensity of the band of precipitation has already shown some signs of weakening but the conditions responsible for it remain. We increased POPs quite a bit for this morning and have some snow accumulation up to 2 inches. There is uncertainty if this band of precipitation will maintain its strength and if so for how long. Surface temperatures were from 32 to 36 degrees as of 11Z and a mix of rain and snow will be more likely close to the lake with mostly snow inland. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday) Issued at 320 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 Low pressure centered near the Ontario and Quebec border will move slowly east today into tonight. Cyclonic flow, low level moisture, and colder air will support light precipitation today over the Northland. A gravity wave feature was observed along the North Shore into northern Douglas county as well and the RAP suggests it will remain in some form today. Moisture was deep enough into colder air aloft to support mostly light snow early this morning with surface temperatures warm enough in a few spots to support light rain or drizzle. We do expect the coverage of the precipitation to diminish through the day over much of the Northland. There will be a loss of mid level moisture today into tonight over portions of the Northland which will cause the precipitation to mix with or become freezing drizzle or drizzle where it lingers. Colder air flowing over Lake Superior will cause lake effect snow to become more widespread through the day along portions of the South Shore, continuing into tonight. There may be a mix that occurs close to Lake Superior due to the warmer lake temperatures. The low level flow will back this afternoon into this evening to more northwest which will is less than ideal for lake effect snow over the snowbelt of Ashland and Iron counties. Snowfall from 2 to 4 inches will be possible today into tonight, mainly over northern Iron county. There could be some locally higher amounts as well. Outside of the lake effect precipitation, we expect mainly dry conditions over the rest of the Northland tonight into Friday. It is possible there could be some patchy freezing drizzle/flurries in spots but we don`t think it will be widespread enough to include at this time. We expect highs today in the upper twenties to mid thirties with highs in the upper twenties to lower thirties on Friday. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 320 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 The next weather system to affect the region is progged to traverse the Upper Midwest late Saturday night and Sunday. A broad lower tropospheric warm advection pattern should be the primary forcing mechanism for ascent and precip production. There is still no true arctic air in place this weekend, and thus, temps will be sufficiently warm that some precip could be in the form of rain during the day on Sunday. Short wave ridging then builds briefly into the Upper Midwest/Western Great Lakes region Sunday night into Monday night as a low level Pacific-type airmass once again takes up residence over the region. While we do not have PoPs mentioned during this time period right now, it is entirely possible that a mention of drizzle/freezing drizzle/flurries/fog may eventually need to be added, as low level clouds are unlikely to clear with persistent weak low level ascent. Thereafter, the pattern becomes very active for the rest of next week as the medium range models all suggest that another significant winter storm will take shape over the middle part of the country during the Tues-Thurs time frame. It should be emphasized at this point that any specific forecasts of snow/ice/blizzard conditions for any particular area directly from deterministic model data should be taken with a very large grain of salt, as both the GFS/ECMWF have exhibited considerable inconsistency with timing and placement both from run to run and between models. With that said, both medium range models seem to be slowly coming to the consensus that this system will have a deep fetch of quality low level moisture supplied by 48+ hours of southerly flow northward through the Mississippi Valley in the warm sector, and an ample supply of true arctic air flooding southward on the west side of the trof axis. Typically this time of year, when an amplifying full latitude trof has these two ingredients to work with, there is often something quite significant that eventually results. Therefore, there is at least some potential for 1) significant snow accumulations, 2) a band of wintry mixed precipitation, and 3) some thunderstorms, followed by 4) the first true outbreak of arctic air across the Northland by the end of next week. Details on the strength of any potential storm, as well as timing and placement of precipitation will come into focus over the next few days, and it will be an excellent idea for anyone with weather interests across the region to stay current with the latest information over the coming days. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday morning) Issued at 558 AM CST Thu Dec 1 2016 Large upper low will continue to slowly weaken and move away from the region today/tonight, with north/northwest winds persisting through the period. There is sufficient wrap-around moisture for MVFR and perhaps some short periods of IFR ceilings to persist, along with some periods of light snow or flurries. However, precip and fog should not limit visibility too much today or tonight. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DLH 34 26 30 24 / 30 10 10 0 INL 33 24 29 21 / 20 10 10 10 BRD 34 25 29 21 / 30 10 10 0 HYR 34 26 31 24 / 30 10 10 10 ASX 34 29 33 26 / 40 20 10 10 && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. LS...None. && $$ UPDATE...Stewart