Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RUC13" "RUC" "RR" received at GSD on 08/26/17


Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
952 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 934 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Upper level low continues to track from north central into northeast ND. Convection over South Dakota seems to have inhibited the moisture return into the southeast portion of the CWA this evening, with secondary surge of precipitation likely poised to lift into far southeast ND or WC MN. We could see a sprinkle or a little drizzle in the far eastern portion of the CWA tonight but not enough for a mention of precip, thus we have removed precipitation chances for the rest of the night. The main focus will be on potential fog development. Lower boundary layer remains quite moist, with generally light winds expected overnight. Latest satellite imagery shows mainly clear skies over western and much of south central ND, with some breaks in the higher clouds developing north central. It remains cloudy over the James River Valley into the Turtle Mountains. Currently any limits to visibility are over the James River Valley and points east where we had recent rainfall. Low stratus remains here also, so the extent of dense fog remains in doubt. Farther west, over central and western ND, dewpoint depressions are generally 2-4 degrees, but as of yet, no fog. Last several iterations of mesoscale models indicate low stratus/fog developing around midnight across central ND and spreading west. We utilized a blend of mesoscale models to depict the development of stratus/fog tonight. Currently this develops areas of fog across most of western and central ND. At this time it looks like the most likely areas for dense fog would be the Highway 83 corridor and the I94 corridor from Bismarck to near Dickinson, from around 10Z to 14Z. With some doubt about whether it will be more stratus or dense fog, and with the development of dense fog forecast to be late tonight into Saturday morning, will not issue any advisory at this time. Would not be surprised though if one is needed on the overnight shift. UPDATE Issued at 724 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Quick update to clean up pops this evening. Maybe another hour of showers over the far southeast CWA, otherwise just isolated showers expected. Removed the mention of thunder for the rest of the night. UPDATE Issued at 600 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 A weak upper level system will track across north central and northeast ND tonight keeping a chance of showers over central and eastern ND. A weak surface flow and a moist lower boundary layer will lead to conditions favorable for fog development tonight. A limiting factor, at least initially will be cloud cover. Currently extensive mid and high level clouds cover all but the far southwest portion of the CWA. As we lose the higher clouds overnight, the fog potential should increase. Most of the mesoscale models are indicating widespread low ceilings and fog across much of western and central ND. Currently this is handled well with the going forecast. Will need to monitor for possible Dense Fog highlights later tonight. For the update, we adjusted pops based on latest radar. Utilized a blend of current pops with the time lagged HRRR to generate pops for the evening and overnight hours. Also lowered sky cover over the southwest this evening. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 235 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Main concerns in the short term include thunderstorms chances this afternoon and tonight followed by fog potential with clearing skies tonight. This afternoon showers and scattered thunderstorms formed along and north of a short wave trough moving through central South Dakota. This feature will move east with keeping best instability and shear south but with enough instability north for widely scattered thunderstorms. Clearing skies tonight as the trough moves east will allow fog to form in the areas that received rain today. The RAP/HRRR CAM models spread fog across teh area and will only limit the fog where clouds may remain longer in the James river valley. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 235 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 The main feature in the extended period will be the development of a significant h500 ridge across the northwest CONUS by early next week. The result will be dry weather as the majority of short wave energy will by shunted north and broad subsidence will bring a warm thermal ridge into the eastern highs plains. This will bring warn and dry weather for the region, especially west where highs will touch the lower 90s by mid week. Temperatures will be cooler by still mild high highs in the 80s across the east. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 934 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Widespread IFR-LIFR cigs and vsbys expected late tonight into Saturday morning at all TAF sites. Fog/stratus will slowly give way to VFR conditions during the morning hours on Saturday. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...TWH SHORT TERM...WAA LONG TERM...WAA AVIATION...TWH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1015 PM EDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .SYNOPSIS... The forecast area will be between a frontal boundary off the Southeast Coast and high pressure ridging southward along the Appalachians over the weekend. An area of low pressure will develop along the front and lift northeastward. The low will be off the South Carolina coast Monday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/... Evening showers have generally come to an end across the area or shifted westward into central Georgia. Frontal boundary remains stalled offshore with generally easterly winds across the forecast area. There is the possibility of some stratus clouds redeveloping late tonight, especially along the eastern Midlands and CSRA where there was some rainfall but confidence is limited as some drier air should also be advecting in from the northeast. Overnight lows expected to be in the upper 60s to lower 70s. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY/... There will be a tight moisture gradient between dry high pressure ridging southward along the Appalachians and the front off the Southeast Coast. The gradient diminishes forecast confidence but the NAM, GFS, and ECMWF keep deeper moisture east of the forecast area through Sunday and we have continued the dry forecast. Wind and mixing should help prevent early morning fog but there may be considerable stratocumulus at times in the northeast flow. Moisture may become a bit deeper Monday because of wrap-around moisture associated with low pressure slowly lifting northeastward along the front. The guidance consensus supports a small shower chance Monday mainly in the east section. Leaned toward the lower high temperature guidance because of the northeast flow and cloudiness. Favored the higher low temperature guidance because of expected mixing. Followed the GFS and NAM MOS for the wind forecast. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... The GFS and ECMWF display low pressure off the coast lifting northeastward and farther away from the forecast area Monday night through Tuesday. Weak surface troughing and moisture are depicted lingering in the wake of this system through Friday. The models show upper troughing mainly lifting north of the area by Wednesday. The models keep the remnants of Harvey well west of the area through the period. The GFS and ECMWF MOS support near normal temperatures and chance pops through the medium- range period. && .AVIATION /02Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Surface high pressure to our north, with trough/frontal boundary near the coast or offshore, providing a general NE low level flow over our forecast area. Lingering convection late this evening will not affect the TAF sites. Latest LAMP and HRRR guidance continues to lean towards a more optimistic forecast during the early morning hours on Saturday so will keep VFR conditions, which should continue past sunrise through the end of the TAF period. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...No significant impacts expected through Sunday, with some possibilities of late night/early morning stratus. Increasing precipitation chances Monday through Wed. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
941 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 941 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Latest high resolution guidance and radar imagery is indicating that the stronger storms stretching from near Sioux Falls SD up toward Willmar MN are sapping some of the expected pcpn for our southern FA. Some stronger echoes did move up through Elbow Lake and Grant County MN, where Elbow Lake picked up over a half an inch of rain. However, outside of possibly Otter Tail and Wadena counties, will reduce pcpn chances and amounts. Areas north of a Wahpeton to Park Rapids line may only see some very light showers or drizzle. Although clearing is still west of the FA, there has been some fog in the Valley City ND area as well. Will keep fog mentioned from Devils Lake down through the Valley City area overnight. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 325 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Water vapor shows Short wave moving into western SD and the nose of the upper level jet on its south end. This is causing a large increase in convection btwn Aberdeen and Pierre just west of surface warm front which was from just east of Aberdeen to Valentine Nebraska. Low pressure in south central SD will move east-northeast thru the evening and night into west central MN overnight. HRRR model seems too far north with sfc low and thus too bullish with qpf in SE ND. Main convection should stay just south of ND border and then ENE into the far SE fcst area with bulk of heavier rainfall south of there to areas west of the Twin Cities thru tonight. High chance to likely pops Park Rapids to Wahpeton east this evening/tonight. Some light rain showers possible north of there but how far north is the question with prospects for much Grand Forks north and west in doubt. Band of showers in W ND has been moving very slowly east and is associated with a short wave and sfc boundary in eastern Saskatchewan and far western ND. This boundary will move only into central ND tonight and then basically wash out Saturday as low pressure moves east thru central/eastern MN. Low level moisture will continue to move northward and with it gradually lowering ceilings and some fog potential mainly DVL region closest to sfc boundary in central ND. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 325 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Saturday night into Sunday will see the clouds and showers gradually move east with sunshine returning to E ND and the RRV Sunday while clouds hold in the far eastern fcst area until late in the day. For Sunday night through Tuesday, dry high pressure will build into the Dakotas and the Central Plains. A complex upper level pattern develops over the U.S. as Hurricane Harvey blocks moisture from the Gulf with strong trough building over the Midwest and a ridge building into the Northern and Great Plains. For the forecast area, this pattern yields dry and warmer weather. Models are indicating near to slightly above normal temperatures for much of next week, but given the persistent dry weather, wouldn`t be surprised to see a larger diurnal swing with highs in the 80s or even near 90 and lows in the 50s for Monday and Tuesday. For the second half of the week, it looks more likely that rain chances will return. Slight chances for scattered showers and storms exist for Tuesday night through Thursday night as a boundary moves in from the north, but these rain chances will be on and off and not widespread. Based on current trends and Harvey still looking to control the Gulf moisture supply, it looks more likely that this would be a weak and drier boundary washing out over the area. Better shower and storm chances move in for the Friday and into next weekend as the Gulf moisture supply opens up again and a stronger system approaches the Northern Plains from the Northern Rockies. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 648 PM CDT Fri Aug 25 2017 The TAF sites have dropped into the MVFR range, and will hold that way tonight into portions of Saturday. Ceilings may briefly drop even lower late tonight. Not sure about the possibility of fog, so did not mention any at this point. The showers will primarily affect KFAR and KBJI, but only mentioned VCSH for now. If the showers are more impending, will amend the TAFs as need be. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...Godon SHORT TERM...Riddle LONG TERM...BP/Riddle AVIATION...Godon
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
515 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 438 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Added patchy fog to late night tonight and morning period Saturday. Majority of guidance now supports influx of low level moisture from the south late tonight and possible stratus/fog (ARW/NMM/RAP/HRRR/HRRRx/NAM/SREF). If signal is still in place later this evening I will consider increasing coverage. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 235 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017 May see an isolated thunderstorm or two in the northwest 1/3 of the area through sunset or perhaps early this evening along a sfc convergence area where moisture in the 700-500mb column is forecast. Otherwise just a few mid and high clouds moving through from the northwest. It should be noted that the NAM is continuing to advertise abundant boundary layer moisture moving into the area (mainly east of the CO/KS border) from the southwest after midnight. Latest HRRR/experimental HRRR also now showing indications of moisture return although not quite as far northeast. Fog is certainly possible if the model visibility forecasts are correct. Given the recent indications in the models will let evening shift get a look at more model runs and 00z data before possibly adding fog and increasing cloud cover. On Saturday a surface trough is forecast in the mid to late afternoon hours generally from near McCook to Burlington to Kit Carson Colorado. There is a bit of moisture in the 850-500mb layer and some low level convergence along the boundary. May see an isolated thunderstorm or two as a result around 00z Sunday. Afternoon temperatures should peak in the mid 80s to low 90s. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 155 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Saturday night-Sunday: Minor changes were made to the afternoon forecast today to take into account latest guidance and observations. A cold front will be grazing the central High Plains Saturday afternoon. This will give way to instability over our region, with our highest chance of thunderstorms appearing around Saturday night into Sunday. Residents should not rule out strong winds and small hail. Monday-Thursday: Expecting mostly clear skies throughout the reminder of the long term forecast. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s with lows in the upper 50s and lower 60s. No severe weather threat is expected at this time. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 515 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017 Isolated showers or thunderstorms may move into northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska around sunset before quickly dissipating. Confidence is highest in possible showers at KGLD, with less confidence in thunderstorms reaching either terminal. Added VCSH at KGLD and left this out of KMCK. Late tonight low level moisture increases, and stratus/fog may begin to develop in northwest Kansas south of Interstate 70. If this happens as current guidance indicates 3-6sm would be possible around 12Z at KGLD, with VFR conditions prevailing at KMCK. Some guidance is showing stronger signal for IFR (or lower) conditions impacting KGLD. Confidence is not high enough to prevail these conditions at this time, but this will need to be monitored. Additional thunderstorm activity may develop late in the TAF period Saturday at KGLD and KMCK, but better chances appear to be after 00Z (end of current valid time). && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && $$ UPDATE...DR SHORT TERM...99 LONG TERM...EV AVIATION...DR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1040 PM EDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure building across the region will introduce an extended period of unseasonably cool conditions that is expected to last through the weekend. Increasing moisture early next week will result in expanding coverage of showers and thunderstorms. Tropical moisture may spread north out of the Gulf and into the Southeast later next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 1035 pm EDT: Late evening HRRR runs continue to indicate spotty showers around the region overnight, with the best concentration along the eastern slopes of the mountains and the adjacent NC foothills. This appears reasonable given the layers of easterly flow in the VAD wind profiles, and isolated PoPs will thus be featured in these areas through daybreak Saturday. Otherwise, expect scattered clouds to persist overnight due to the higher level cirrus in the NW flow aloft, and occasional lower stratocumulus in the more easterly flow at lower levels. Patchy mountain valley fog is likely. Meanwhile, surface high pressure will continue to ridge southward across the region from the Great Lakes area through Saturday. This will keep northeasterly flow in place near the surface and inhibit dewpoint and sbCAPE recovery somewhat. Some minimal instability is still indicated in model profiles Saturday afternoon which could combine with meager upslope flow into the mountains to produce a few showers and isolated thunderstorms. Isolated to scattered PoPs will be featured in these high terrain areas for primarily tomorrow afternoon. Maximum temperatures will remain at least a category below climatology throughout. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 130 PM EDT Friday: The short term will begin with a broad upper trough in place down the Eastern Seaboard, a bit of shortwave ridging across the OH Valley, and another trough pushing into the western Great Lakes. Surface high over southeast Canada will begin to ridge down the East coast under the confluent flow aloft between the ridge and eastern trough, setting up a classical CAD event for us. While Harvey, sitting over SE TX, won`t be a player for us, a tropical wave over the FL Peninsula will lift NE into the south Atlantic bight, pushing up the GA/SC coasts through the short term period. This will sort of squish the damming wedge into western NC, with a fairly strong pressure gradient and thus winds generally 10- 15 mph out of the NE as we move through the period. Easterly flow from the tropical wave, or potential tropical depression (currently 40% chance of tropical development), will bring precip into eastern NC toward the end of the period. By this time, the incoming Great Lakes trough will deepen into a closed low somewhere over the Midwest with its own attendant moisture approaching the area. All in all, the short term is fairly quiet with a continued cooling trend (highs 3-6 degrees below normal Sunday and 6-10 degrees below by Monday) as the damming strengthens. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Friday: The extended forecast is quite a bit more complicated, with several factors in play, including the Great Lakes/Midwest upper low, the tropical wave/low off the NC coast, and Harvey still producing catastrophic impacts over TX. Aforementioned tropical wave/low off the NC coast will continue to lift NE as we start the period, with low-level easterly flow bringing quite a bit of moisture into E NC, with a corresponding increase in pops especially for eastern zones on Tuesday. With the increasing cloud cover, Tuesday should also be the coolest day with highs 8-12 degrees below seasonal normals, more significantly in the NW NC Piedmont areas. The cold dome will be eroding as we move forward on Tuesday with the approach of the northwestern low, but despite the cooler temperatures, weak WAA atop the cold dome plus PVA/upper jetlet moving overhead may lead to enough synoptic lift for a few thunderstorms to develop with may be 500 J/kg CAPE to work with and 30-40kt deep layer shear. By Wednesday, the coastal low will be racing to the northeast and no longer a factor. Upper Midwest trough will open and damp, with a bit of ridging trying to build in from the Atlantic ridge. The big unknown will be Harvey which at this point does not look like it will phase with the broadening upper trough, but rather remain in place...continuing to rain...somewhere over SE TX. However, with the increasing gradient aloft between the upper Atlantic ridge and the northern trough, moisture from Harvey will begin to get picked up and spread ENE over the Deep South and toward the Southern Appalachians. Despite slightly increasing thicknesses and with the damming eroded by Wednesday afternoon, increasing cloud cover will generally counteract most resulting temperature increase, with highs still a good 6-10 degrees below normal, with only minor increases as we move toward the end of the period. Should see an increase in convection by midweek as well, with the increasing moisture and enough CAPE for isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Quite a bit of uncertainty with how much moisture will make it to the area and what other synoptic and mesoscale features will be in play that may enhance pops, so have generally capped them at chance for now. The remnants of Harvey are progged (for now) to remain over TX with no direct threat to our area, but the moisture advection will continue past the end of the period. && .AVIATION /03Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... At KCLT and Elsewhere: Strong surface high pressure centered to the north of the region will keep generally drier weather in place across the area through the TAF period. However, an easterly fetch of improving Atlantic moisture at low levels will try to make inroads across the coastal plain and central piedmont of the Carolinas. This should contribute to a steady uptick in stratocumulus/cumulus through the period, with slowly improving shower chances primarily near KAVL in the mountains. Expect mainly steady NE winds at 10 kt or less across the piedmont and foothills, with more variable winds at KAVL in the French Broad Valley. Fog potential at KAVL could be briefly inhibited by higher cirrus overnight, but at least MVFR restrictions look likely around daybreak Sunday. Outlook: Very gradual moistening will continue into early next week, with some afternoon showers possible - mainly over the higher terrain. Moisture improves on Tuesday, after which more widespread showers are expected. Confidence Table... 02-08Z 08-14Z 14-20Z 20-00Z KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100% KGSP High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100% KAVL High 95% Med 75% Med 78% High 100% KHKY High 100% High 91% Med 73% High 100% KGMU High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100% KAND High 100% High 90% High 81% High 100% The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly experimental aviation forecast consistency tables and ensemble forecasts are available at the following link: www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Wimberley NEAR TERM...HG SHORT TERM...TDP LONG TERM...TDP AVIATION...HG
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
317 PM PDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .DISCUSSION...Thursday brought a brief break from heat and smoke to much of the forecast area. Today, we have begun transitioning to a hot, dry pattern. Temperatures and smoke will increase over the next few days. The challenge is determining the extent to which smoke will limit high temperatures. Model guidance indicates temperatures could exceed 105 degrees in west side valleys, and reach the upper 90s in east side valleys Sunday and Monday. However, considering the amount of active fires in our forecast area, high temperatures shouldn`t hit those extremes... but should still be well above normal. Expect highs around 100 in west side valleys and the lower 90s in east side valleys beginning tomorrow and peaking Sunday and Monday. Combined with smoke impacts, this could create dangerous conditions for sensitive groups. A thermal trough along the coast will maintain strong north to northeast winds long the coast tonight. Winds will start diminishing tomorrow as the thermal trough weakens. Expect some patchy fog along the coast early tomorrow morning, but the marine layer should be fairly thin, so expect that to be relatively short-lived. Sunday morning, winds will transition from offshore to southerly, as the thermal trough weakens, thus expect a fickle finger of fog to make its way into the Brookings/ Crescent City area. Sunday afternoon and night, models indicate moisture advection and very slight instability over the East Side, but don`t see much of a trigger until late Sunday night, and instability will have diminished by that point. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon and evening, expect several shortwaves embedded in broad southwesterly flow to meander into the area. These will bring the possibility thunderstorms east of the Cascades Confidence in this forecast is low, and will need to be fine tuned as instability and moisture are borderline. The smoke forecast will continue to need to be updated with each forecast, but for now do not see any significant breaks. Much will depend on fire activity, but in general expect smoke to diminish at night, and worsen in the afternoon over the next several days. -MSC && .AVIATION...25/18Z TAF CYCLE...Along the coast...stratus has eroded and VFR will prevail the rest of this afternoon into this evening. A shallow marine layers will likely bring IFR/LIFR low clouds/fog back to OTH tonight between 08-10Z, lasting until 16Z before becoming VFR again. An area of mainly VFR though will occur south of Cape Blanco to Brookings with shallow marine clouds/fog in the vicinity of Brookings after 09z. Smoke from the Chetco Bar fire will also occasionally reduce visibility to MVFR/IFR in and around Brookings. Since the marine layer will be much shallower than the past couple of nights, we are not expecting clouds in the Umpqua Basin. However, almost all inland areas will have to deal with reduced visibility (MVFR and occasional IFR) due to wildfire smoke. Latest HRRR smoke projections show low-level smoke will impact MFR again this afternoon as well as LMT, which could linger through the night. By far, the thickest smoke will be in western Siskiyou County valleys, the Applegate Valley and near the High Cascades/Umpqua North complexes, where visibility could be reduced to just a few hundred feet at times. -Spilde && .MARINE...Updated 230 PM PDT Friday 25 August 2017...High pressure is offshore with a thermal trough along the coast. Gales south of Port Orford beyond 5 NM from shore will reach a peak this evening and persist through late tonight. Meantime, small craft advisory conditions will persist elsewhere. Winds will slacken on Saturday as the high weakens and thermal trough moves inland. But, advisory conditions will persist through Saturday night with gusty winds in the outer waters and fresh swell near shore. Winds and seas will continue to diminish Sunday into early Tuesday. Northerly winds will trend higher again Tuesday into Friday with gales possible south of Cape Blanco late in the week. -DW && .FIRE WEATHER...Updated 120 PM PDT Friday, 25 August 2017... ...AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF ACTIVE BURNING CONDITIONS EXPECTED TODAY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK... The thermal trough along the southern coast will continue to deepen, resulting in stronger offshore northeast winds, especially over the Coast Range and into portions of western Siskiyou County. It should be noted up front that this thermal trough is NOT expected to be as strong as the one last week/weekend. However, this one presents a potentially dangerous situation, particularly in southern Curry County where the Chetco Bar fire is burning and within just a few miles of the coast. The region will really dry out beginning tonight with poor humidity recoveries and a continuation of gusty NE offshore winds. Rapid fire spread impacts could be significant. With a mid level Haines of 6 we have extended Red Flag through the Day Saturday. Models are showing a mid level haines of six daily through monday, but will wait to see how the fire behaves Saturday before raising the watch Sunday to a warning and extending it to Monday. Model guidance shows the lowest RH recoveries Saturday night into Sunday, but NE winds should ease. The thermal trough will gradually weaken and move inland Sunday into Monday. So, along the coast, we`ll see increasing onshore flow by early next week with higher humidity and less wind. However, with the thermal trough moving inland, fires burning across the remainder of the area will be susceptible to increasing fire behavior due to a very dry, unstable air mass. Model guidance is showing high level Haines value of 5 and, in some places, high level Haines 6, which could lead to plume dominated fire. Although the Haines is indicating just below a six along the Cascades Sunday, the thermal trough moves inland that day and that usually results in very active fire behavior and have raised it to a 6 and issued a watch for Sunday on active fires along the Cascades. In the extended, there is still some uncertainty with how fast the upper level ridge will break down, but it does appear that at least slight decrease in high temperatures will occur with more marine air pushing farther inland west of the Cascades after Tuesday. Thunderstorm potential is low, but increases a bit toward midweek with the best chance east of the Cascades. /FB/Sven && .MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OR...Red Flag Warning from 7 PM this evening to 9 PM PDT Saturday for ORZ618-619. Fire Weather Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening for ORZ618-619. Fire Weather Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening for ORZ617-622-623. CA...None. Pacific Coastal Waters...Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM PDT Saturday for PZZ350-356. Gale Warning until 2 AM PDT Saturday for PZZ356-376. Small Craft Advisory for hazardous seas from 2 AM Saturday to 5 AM PDT Sunday for PZZ350-356-370-376. Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT Sunday for PZZ370-376. $$ MSC/SBN/DW
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
937 PM EDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A front will remain stalled off the coast through the weekend as high pressure builds in from the north. An area of low pressure is forecast to develop along the stalled frontal boundary off the Florida coast this weekend then slowly lift northeast along the Southeast coast early to mid next week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/... As of 935 PM Friday...All precipitation has ended for the moment near the coast and have dropped PoPs until after 06z. HRRR and RAP indicate a few spotty showers redeveloping along the coast as we head toward morning and will have a slight chance PoP immediate coast. No changes needed to forecast temperatures with lows mid 60s inland to lower 70s coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM SATURDAY/... As of 345 PM Friday...No major changes to the forecast with the majority of the are remaining dry except for along the coast. Slightly better instability tomorrow with MLCAPES around 500 j/kg, may lead to at least a few storms making it just onshore by afternoon. A frontal boundary that is stationary now does more toward the coast late in the day as a warm front, which may be enough to generate a few showers or storms. It will be another comfortable day with dewpoints holding in the 60s and temps in the lower to middle 80s. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 330 PM Fri...Below normal temps expected this weekend and through most of next week, with slow warm up late week. Unsettled conditions are expected this weekend and early next week, as an area of low pressure is forecast to develop along a stalled frontal boundary along the southeast coast, and may strengthen into a tropical cyclone. However, much uncertainty remains regarding this system. Saturday Night and Sunday...Strong high pressure will build behind a cold front that will remain stalled off the southeast coast. Still, widely scattered showers will possible along the coast, while further inland it should remain mostly dry. More widespread showers will creep into coastal sections Sunday afternoon, and have chance PoPs for this. Low level thickness values, and NE flow, support below normal temps with highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s and overnight lows in the low/mid 60s inland and upper 60s/low 70s along the coast. Monday through Wednesday...Models are still on board for development of a tropical low pressure system currently near the west coast of Florida. The low will slowly strengthen over the next couple days and travel up the stalled front that is over the Gulf Stream. CMC still strengthens the potential system the most, while the GFS and EURO offer a weaker solution. The GFS and EURO are closer to the coast, while the CMC is a bit farther off the coast, but not much. It remains to be seen what will develop, as models have struggled with tropical development so far this year. At any rate, depending on the eventual track and strength of the low, minor impacts could be felt across Eastern NC, mainly along the coast. Coastal areas could see gusty winds, rough surf and an elevated risk of rip currents. More widespread precip is possible during this time frame, especially along the coast, but will keep chance PoPs with so much uncertainty still to be resolved. High temps through the period, generally in the upper 70s to low 80s, with overnight lows in the mid 60s to low 70s. Gradual warm up expected late week. Thursday and Friday...High pressure will move in from the north behind the departing low pressure. Some scattered thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon and evening both days, and temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s for highs and low 70s to upper 70s for lows. && .AVIATION /02Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Short Term /through 00Z Sunday/... As of 645 PM Friday...No big changes to the TAF with VFR conditions expected to prevail through the next 24 hours as deeper moisture lingers along the coast east of the TAF sites. Winds should remain NE tonight and Saturday with at least 4-7 knots overnight, precluding fog formation, especially given lack of any precipitation at the TAF sites during the day on Friday. Long Term /Saturday Night through Wednesday/... As of 350 PM Fri...VFR conditions expected through Sunday, then occasional periods of sub-VFR conditions are possible, as rain showers and isolated thunderstorms move into the airspace through Wednesday. && .MARINE... Short Term /Tonight and Saturday/... As of 940 PM Friday...Marine forecast is decent shape as winds continue ENE/E at 10-20 knots with seas 3-5 feet. As the gradient tightens over the waters by early Saturday, between high pressure over the northeast and low pressure over Florida, winds will increase along with waves. In general over the coastal waters winds of 15 to 20 are expected with gusts to 25 kts especially south of Cape Hatteras tomorrow. North of Cape Hatteras while a few gusts to 25 kts are possible, confidence for stronger winds and higher waves do not occur until Saturday night. Long Term /Saturday through Wednesday/... As of 350 PM Fri...Strong winds and dangerous seas expected to develop this weekend and continue into next week, a tropical low pressure system develops near a stalled frontal boundary along the Gulf Stream. Models continue to show the potential for tropical low development along the stalled frontal boundary off the SE coast this weekend into early next week. There is still much uncertainty to be resolved with this feature, given the varying model solutions and lack of run to run consistency. Winds initially ENE 15-20 kt Saturday night, will become NE 20-25 kts overnight, and then 25-30 kts at times Sunday through Monday. Winds then lessen to 15-20 kts Tuesday and Wednesday. Seas will be initially 4-6 ft south of Cape Lookout and 3-5 ft to the north, and will build 5-9 ft south of Cape Lookout Sunday, and 4-7 feet to the north. Seas will then lessen south of Cape Hatters Monday 4-7 ft, and build to the north 7-11 ft. Seas will remain elevated Tuesday as well, generally 6-10 ft. Given the uncertainty on how this system will evolve, mariners should continue to monitor the forecast over the next several days. && .MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 9 PM Saturday to 1 AM EDT Wednesday for AMZ135. Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Saturday to 1 PM EDT Thursday for AMZ154. Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Saturday to 9 AM EDT Wednesday for AMZ156. Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Sunday to 1 PM EDT Thursday for AMZ150-152. Small Craft Advisory from 8 AM Saturday to noon EDT Tuesday for AMZ158. && $$ SYNOPSIS...EH NEAR TERM...CTC SHORT TERM...EH LONG TERM...CQD/SGK AVIATION...CTC/EH/SGK MARINE...CTC/EH/SGK
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
815 PM MST Fri Aug 25 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Quiet, but hot weather will move into the Southwest this weekend. A modest increase in moisture levels early next week will result in slight rain chances across southern Arizona, possibly stretching into southeast California. Temperatures will also cool a few degrees in response to the moisture return. && .DISCUSSION... The limited afternoon convection across the state has largely dissipated this evening though persistent accas indicates a larger pocket of residual midlevel moisture drifting through the eastern half of Arizona. Both the GFS and NAM BUFR soundings (in addition to several high resolution models including the HRRR and 3km NAM) continue to strongly suggest these clouds advecting into the Phoenix metro overnight into an environment characterized by steeper lapse rates and a couple hundred J/kg of MUCape. However without better ascent fields or gravity wave interactions, as well as a very dry subcloud layer, virga is the most likely outcome late tonight. Some sprinkles/brief light showers are certainly possible and have increased POPs (and cloud cover) very modestly towards sunrise. && .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... /149 PM MST Fri Aug 25 2017/ .Tonight through Sunday... There continues to be very good model consensus that very strong ridging aloft will build northward into the Great Basin by Sunday as moisture/energy from Hurricane Harvey helps amplify the downstream trof dropping southward into the eastern 1/2 of the CONUS. Both the EURO and the GFS models raise 500mb heights into the 593-595dm range by Sunday which is around 2SD above the mean. These high heights combined with light downslope easterly flow through the column looks like it will be enough to push lower desert highs up into the 111- 114 degree range across SW AZ and SE CA, or 6-8 degrees above normal. These well-above normal highs combined with lows in the mid- upper 80s will push HeatRisk levels into the high/very high range across that region. This continues to support our current Excessive Heat Watch across those regions. Slightly higher moisture values (PWATS as high as 1.50 inch) likely will hold temperatures down a bit across South-Central AZ. Convective activity is expected to be limited to isolated shower/storms across the higher terrain well north and east of Phoenix through early Sunday due to limited moisture in the low levels (sfc dewpoints mainly aob 60F) and a subsidence inversion in the mid-levels of the atmosphere. Some increase in convective activity appears likely by Sunday afternoon as winds turn easterly through the entire column. Sunday into Monday, a short wave moves down the eastern periphery of the anti-cyclone sending a back door front through New Mexico and into Arizona. This easterly push will be enhanced through the synoptic interaction/forcing of Harvey. The main impact will be an increase in mid-level moisture and a slight decrease in temperatures. This pattern becomes blocked and remains essentially in place through the work week. We`ll likely see a decent amount of mountain convection each day though with just marginal instability they likely won`t get too strong. The showers/storms will want to push southwestward into the lower elevations but instability there will still be limited, meaning they will more than likely decay as the move away from the mountains. Enough mid level moisture spreads far enough west that convection may be possible over Joshua Tree NP. && .AVIATION... South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL: Minimal aviation impacts through Saturday afternoon under partly cloudy skies. Models are insistent that 12K ft accas cigs will develop overnight producing scattered virga around the metro. While some sprinkles are possible at the terminal sites, accumulating rainfall will be unlikely. Otherwise, winds will remain light with fairly typical wind shift timing. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No major aviation issues through Saturday afternoon under clear skies. Winds will generally favor a southerly direction though periods of variable directions are likely during the morning hours. Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs. && .FIRE WEATHER... Monday through Friday: Slight rain chances will spread westward all the way into southeast California early next week. Humidity values will stay somewhat low each day with minimum values mostly between 12 and 20 percent. Apart from thunderstorms, winds will tend to follow familiar warm season patterns. Temperatures will be several degrees above average this weekend, then cool slightly early next week. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters should follow standard reporting procedures. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...Excessive Heat Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening for AZZ530-532-533-536. CA...Excessive Heat Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening for CAZ561-563-565>570. && $$ Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...MO/Percha/Iniguez AVIATION...MO FIRE WEATHER...Iniguez
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
806 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017 .UPDATE... Latest RAP analysis in combination with water vapor imagery suggests that patch of upper-level moisture has developed/progressed eastward along the predominant zonal flow aloft across the northern Rockies. This has led to the development of lee-side mountain clouds along the northern parts of the front range, especially across Glacier and Pondera Counties. Because of this, I`ve decided to bump cloud cover a bit in this forecast update. However, look for these clouds to slowly diminish after midnight with dry and calm conditions expected areawide through the morning hours. KLG && .SYNOPSIS... A westerly flow aloft will reside over the region today, resulting in a few isolated thunderstorms over Southwest MT. Over the weekend and into early next week, expect an upper level ridge of high pressure to redevelop over the region. Expect a return to very warm afternoon temperatures by Sunday, with dry conditions expected from Saturday through Monday. && .AVIATION... Updated 0035z. Isolated thunderstorms continue to affect portions of southwest Montana this evening but will dissipate by 04Z. Skies will be mostly clear to partly cloudy for widespread VFR conditions Through late Saturday afternoon. Some distant mountains/passes will be obscured at times by smoke. && .FIRE WEATHER... Isolated thunderstorms are possible mainly south of a line from Helena to Lewistown before Midnight. Otherwise expect a significant warming trend along with low humidity from Saturday through Monday along with no precipitation. Overall winds will be light Saturday through Monday. Brusda && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 635 PM MDT Fri Aug 25 2017/ Tonight through Sunday...The westerly flow aloft currently over the region will transition to an upper level ridge for Saturday and Sunday. Scattered thunderstorms over Southwest MT this evening should generally end before Midnight...then a prolonged period of dry and quiet weather conditions is expected over the region over the weekend. With no precipitation expected along with mostly sunny skies...afternoon highs will be a few degrees above normal Saturday...then close to 10 degrees above normal for Sunday. Brusda Sunday night through Friday...Much of the long term will be controlled by the mentioned large area of high pressure across the western US. Monday remains mostly dry with highs returning back into the 90s. Tuesday sees the ridge slightly eastward bringing some southwest flow with low amounts of moisture. The result will be continued warm temperatures in the 90s...with perhaps just enough moisture and instability for isolated showers and thunderstorms across the southwest. Wednesday through Thursday a series of weak disturbances will attempt to break the ridge down. Limited moisture and weak instability from continued warm temperatures may bring more scattered showers and thunderstorms each day. Temperatures again look to be in the 80s and 90s. Models then indicate a weak dry cold front may bring slightly cooler and dry conditions for Friday...with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Each day in the long term will have at least elevated fire danger with low RH forecasted. Winds and dry thunderstorms may even bring high fire danger on Wednesday through Friday. Anglin && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 51 82 50 90 / 0 0 0 0 CTB 45 81 46 89 / 0 0 0 0 HLN 54 86 52 92 / 0 0 0 0 BZN 50 83 49 90 / 30 0 0 0 WEY 41 77 38 81 / 20 0 0 0 DLN 50 82 47 88 / 20 0 0 0 HVR 51 84 50 92 / 0 0 0 0 LWT 52 80 49 88 / 10 0 0 0 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening Eastern Beaverhead National Forest. && $$ weather.gov/greatfalls