Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RUC13" "RUC" "RR" received at GSD on 03/10/22


Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
925 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 925 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 A few isolated snow showers continue across southwest North Dakota, mainly from around Beach to Hettinger. It is possible that some pockets of flurries could continue through the night from southwest into south central North Dakota due to the presence of a weak baroclinic zone. Williams, McLean, and Burleigh Counties have been added to the Wind Chill Advisory. Not all parts of these counties are likely to see advisory criteria wind chills, but an NDAWN station in northeast Williams County is already reporting a wind chill of 25 below, and our current forecast calls for wind chills near 30 below in the northeast corners of McLean and Burleigh Counties. UPDATE Issued at 619 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Scattered snow showers are expected to diminish with the loss of diurnal heating this evening. Looking ahead, the most recently initialized suite of CAM guidance suggests a quicker time of arrival of the cold front moving from northwest to southeast across North Dakota tomorrow afternoon and evening. Slight chance PoPs were sped up to account for this. There does appear to be some potential for a snow squall event in southwest North Dakota late tomorrow afternoon. Several ingredients are present in the latest iteration of the RAP, including strong pressure rises and low level frontogenesis associated with the cold front, marginally sufficient low level RH, low level theta-e lapse rates near zero, and mean BL winds approaching 35 kts. Speaking of winds, they were also given a slight boost in the forecast tomorrow afternoon into Friday, utilizing the top half of the latest available NBM distribution, which does seem a bit higher than previous NBM iterations. The 18Z HRRR was also blended into the wind forecast, as it seems to do well with stronger gusts along cold frontal passages. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 257 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Northwesterly flow aloft will remain the persistent pattern through the forecast period, however there is a temperature change in the long term. Satellite imagery shows CU building over areas where snow pack is minimal to none. In addition, subtle cyclonic flow aloft and steeping low level lapse rates are supporting snow showers across Southwestern ND and south Central ND. Precip chances drop off as sfc pressure increases and cyclonic flow moves eastward. The sfc pressure gradient will veer winds out of the West early tomorrow morning. Thus, Westerly flow and compressional warming are going to help temperatures rebound temporarily Thursday before the onset of a front. An upper level trough over Manitoba will progress eastward opening the door for an Arctic cold front to push into the area late Thursday afternoon into the evening. This will reinforce cold temperatures across the Northern Plains. The frontal passage will increase winds up to 20-25 kts across ND ushering in bitterly cold winds chills. Therefore, a Wind Chill Advisory has been issued from 00Z to 15Z Wed. Gusty winds will also kick up blowing dust across the Northern and Eastern portions of the CWA temporarily impacting visibility. The aforementioned cold front is going act as the lifting mechanism, increasing snow chances across the region Thursday evening. Snow accumulations will remain low as the cold front will quickly dives into the Central Plains by Friday morning with surface high pressure building in behind. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 257 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Friday morning wind chills are forecast to drop down to around minus 30, resulting in frigid temperatures across much of the region. This could warrant another Wind Chill Advisory. Ridging begins to build over Western CONUS by Saturday placing the western portions of ND under the eastern periphery of the ridge. This will result in a 30 to 40 degree change from the morning lows to that afternoon highs. Downsloping westerlies winds are going to help temperatures climb above normal by Sunday afternoon. Sunday evening, deterministic models have a short wave trough digging into the ridge bring precip across ND. Ridging will settle in behind the shortwave trough supporting above normal temperatures through next week. Tuesday looks to be the warmest day as temperatures will increase above freezing across the northeastern portions of the CWA. While central and southwestern portions of the CWA could see highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. The warm trend looks to continue in the extended. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 925 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Satellite and surface observations at 03Z suggest an MVFR ceiling could move over KDIK later this evening, but confidence on this is not high enough to amend the TAF at this time. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected through Thursday morning. A cold front will enter northwest North Dakota Thursday afternoon, bringing another chance of snow showers and possible MVFR ceilings across the state. After a period of lighter winds tonight, southwest winds will increase to around 20-25 kts by Thursday afternoon, gusting near 30-35 kts. Wind direction will shift to the northwest with the frontal passage, which will likely occur at KXWA and possibly KMOT and KDIK by the end of this forecast period. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Chill Advisory until 9 AM CST Thursday for NDZ001>005- 009>013-021>023-025-035>037-047-048-050-051. && $$ UPDATE...Hollan SHORT TERM...Johnson LONG TERM...Johnson AVIATION...Hollan
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boise ID
845 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 .DISCUSSION...Scattered snow showers continue this evening over areas east and southeast of Boise. Conditions remain favorable for additional showers overnight in this same area. Accumulations are still expected to be light overnight, with a few areas perhaps seeing an additional inch, but most folks just getting a dusting or nothing at all. Temperatures will be cold tonight, within a few degrees of record lows in many areas. All this is handled well by the current forecast and no changes will be made at this time. && .AVIATION...Isolated MVFR to IFR conditions with snow showers this evening. Shower activity will diminish around midnight. VFR conditions expected for much of Thursday. Surface winds: East to southeast 5-10 kts. Winds aloft at 10k feet MSL: Northeast 40-50 kt. && .PREV DISCUSSION... SHORT TERM...Tonight through Friday night...Snow has decreased to snow showers or flurries that will end in most areas from north to south tonight with little further accumulation. One or two more inches may fall this evening, however, in the Camas Prairie and along the Nevada border. The arctic front has moved westward as far as Mountain Home, farther west than models expected, although HRRR has now caught on. The convergence zone where easterly arctic winds through the Magic Valley meet northwesterly winds through the Upper Treasure Valley, was located near Mountain Home and should begin to shift eastward again tonight. Clouds and light snow showers will continue in and near the convergence zone and keep temperatures a little warmer than other areas that clear out. Even so, low temps tonight will approach records for March 10 from the Snake River south. Wind chill early Thursday morning will dip to near 10 degrees in the Snake Basin, 5 below zero to 5 above in eastern Oregon and in the clearer valleys in western Idaho, but as low as 25 below zero in the higher eastern basins in Valley and Boise Counties. Thursday looks mostly sunny after tonight`s clouds shift south, but northern areas will become partly cloudy again later Thursday. Thursday night will be clearer than tonight but the arctic air will also be retreating eastward, so that Friday morning will be no colder than tomorrow morning, and winds will be lighter. On Friday night warm-frontal clouds ahead of a Pacific upper ridge will moderate temperatures further, and begin a significant warming trend into the weekend. There is no sign that the near-term cold weather will return after that. LONG TERM...Saturday through Wednesday...Ridging over the forecast area will start off the forecast period with dry conditions and warmer temperatures on Saturday. An approaching trough is expected Saturday night, which will begin to produce moisture over eastern Oregon late Saturday. Showers will spread eastward on Sunday, and could impact much of the forecast area with mountain snow and valley rain/rain-snow mix. Showers associated with this first system system should weaken Sunday night. However, active conditions remain favored as another push of moisture moves toward the Pacific Coast Monday afternoon, spreading moisture inland through Tuesday night. Some models show moisture lingering into Wednesday, though they vary on the coverage of these showers, as well as their duration. Temperatures through the period will generally be a few degrees above normal. && .BOI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...None. OR...None. && $$ www.weather.gov/Boise www.facebook.com/NWSBoise www.twitter.com/NWSBoise DISCUSSION...SP AVIATION.....JS PREV SHORT TERM...LC PREV LONG TERM....KB
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
915 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure exits tonight followed by dry and mild weather Thursday and Friday. Low pressure moves across southern New England Saturday, and intensifies into a powerful storm as it exits the region. The low will be accompanied by periods of heavy rain that likely ends as snow, especially across western MA, followed by strong to perhaps damaging winds Saturday night. Dry, but cold and blustery weather returns Sunday. Next week is trending as mainly dry weather and temperatures warmer than normal. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/... 930 PM Update Weak returns remain on radar indicate that there are still some light snow showers over eastern MA. Additional returns on radar over The Cape and Islands where temperatures above freezing are resulting in light rain over this area. Expect precipitation to end in the next hour or so as coastal-low pressure system continues to pull away. Forecast for tonight remains on track, but did adjust near-term forecast to reflect latest observations. Previous Discussion... Bands of moderate to briefly heavy snow associated with good mid level frontogenesis and favorable snow growth lifting north across SNE. RAP is handling the location of this frontogenesis quite well and lifts the band north across MA through 00z so heaviest snowfall will shift to the MA Pike northward through evening. Expecting accums of a coating to 2 inches in eastern MA and lower elevations, with 2-4 inches in higher elevations. SPS sent out for slippery travel across central/W MA, northern CT into NW RI. While main roads are mostly wet in lower elevations, as the sun goes down and temps cool, untreated roads will get coated. Best forcing exits by 00z as low pres moves offshore from near the benchmark. Snowfall will begin to taper off early this evening and end 00-03z from west to east as good mid level drying moves in. Still some low level moisture lingering overnight so expect low clouds and patchy fog with partial clearing toward daybreak. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... Thursday... Weak high pres moves south of New Eng which will bring milder temps and lots of sunshine as the column is rather dry. 925 mb temps 0-1C support highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Winds will be light with weak pressure gradient in pace, so overall a very pleasant late winter day. Thursday night... Weak high pres remains in control so dry weather and light winds will prevail. Mid level shortwave moving through the Great Lakes and accompanying upper jet will bring some high clouds to SNE, otherwise mainly clear to partly cloudy skies. Decent radiational cooling will allow temps to fall back through the 20s, except lower 30s in the urban centers and Cape/Islands. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Highlights... * Mild and dry weather lingers into Friday * Periods of moderate to heavy rain ending as snow, especially across western MA, then strong to perhaps damaging winds late Saturday/Saturday night * Blustery and much colder Sunday * Mainly dry and turning warmer early next week Overview... A high pressure over the Great Lakes will steer a low pressure out to sea Friday, maintaining dry weather across our region. Likely a little cooler, with more of a northerly wind to start the day, but still above normal for mid March. Attention then turns to a low pressure moving across southern New England Saturday into Saturday night. By Sunday, expecting this low pressure to develop into a powerful storm over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Once of the questions for our region will be how quickly this intensification takes place, as the result could be strong to damaging winds late Saturday into Saturday night. At this time, thinking the main period of rapid intensification will be over the Gulf of Maine Saturday evening, meaning we should be well within range for some stronger winds. The other concern will be the possibility for some snowfall from this system. Looking at a couple of windows, mainly across western MA. The first window would be Friday night as the precipitation arrives, and the second would be Saturday evening as this precipitation winds down. Currently thinking that the daylight hours on Saturday will mainly be rain, due to the more potent sunshine of mid March. For most, not looking like much accumulation, especially on paved surfaces. Some uncertainty remains, there is a possibility for some plowable accumulation across the higher terrain. The timing and duration will be critical, and both are aspects to be worked out with later forecasts. Turning drier and colder Saturday night into Sunday. Another round of above normal temperatures expected Monday through Wednesday with mainly dry weather. && .AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Low - less than 30 percent. Medium - 30 to 60 percent. High - greater than 60 percent. Tonight...Moderate confidence. Snow ends from west to east between 00-03z. IFR/LIFR cigs and patchy fog will gradually improve to VFR with partial clearing from west to east 06-10z, but lower cigs persisting over Cape/Islands through 12z. Thursday and Thursday Night...High confidence. VFR. Light westerly winds. KBOS TAF...High confidence in trends. KBDL TAF...High confidence in trends. Outlook /Friday through Monday/... Friday: VFR. Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Breezy. RA likely, chance SN. Saturday: MVFR/IFR conditions possible. Windy with gusts up to 35 kt. RA, isolated TSRA. Saturday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Windy with gusts up to 35 kt. Slight chance SN. Sunday: VFR. Windy with gusts up to 35 kt. Sunday Night through Monday: VFR. Breezy. && .MARINE... Forecaster Confidence Levels. Low - less than 30 percent. Moderate - 30 to 60 percent. High - greater than 60 percent. Tonight...High confidence. N/NE wind 10-20 kt this evening, diminishing overnight. Seas over the southern outer waters building to 5-6 ft from SE swell leftover from departing low pres. SCA will be issued. Thursday and Thursday night...High confidence. Light winds expected through the period. Leftover 5 ft seas over the southern waters will subside during Thu afternoon/night. Outlook /Friday through Monday/... Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Local visibility 1 to 3 nm. Friday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft. Rain likely. Saturday: Low risk for gale force winds with gusts up to 35 kt. Rough seas up to 11 ft. Rain, isolated thunderstorms. Saturday Night: Moderate risk for gale force winds with gusts up to 35 kt. Rough seas up to 16 ft. Chance of rain. Sunday: Strong winds with gusts up to 35 kt. Rough seas up to 16 ft. Sunday Night: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up to 25 kt. Areas of rough seas. Monday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of rough seas. && .BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CT...None. MA...None. RI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM EST Thursday for ANZ254>256. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Belk/KJC NEAR TERM...RM SHORT TERM...KJC LONG TERM...Belk AVIATION...Belk/KJC MARINE...Belk/KJC
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Burlington VT
1014 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Light snow across southern Vermont this afternoon will dissipate this evening after some light accumulations with quieter weather and seasonally warm temperatures returning for Thursday and Friday. A potent storm system will impact the North Country on Saturday with moderate to heavy snow likely. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 1003 PM EST Wednesday...Quick look at water vapor satellite imagery confirms dry air mass quickly moving in, which is allowing snow showers to come to an end as we lose our deeper moisture. The rest of the night should be dry. Was initially concerned we may see a little drizzle/freezing drizzle, but latest RAP soundings/satellite indicate less moisture in the low levels than expected, thus diminishing any threat of fzdz/dz overnight. Previous discussion...The forecast continue to play out, well, as forecast with light snow continuing to very slowly lift northward into Rutland and Windsor counties as of this hour. The northward progression of precipitation has been hampered by very dry air at the surface with dewpoint depressions as high as 20 degrees across central and northern zones. Based on the latest radar trends and current dewpoint depressions, have a hard time believing snow will make it any farther north than Addison/Orange/Essex NY before 00Z where thereafter coastal low pressure pulls east of the benchmark and takes all the deeper moisture with it. Where is does snow, a dusting to 2" still looks reasonable, though mainly on grassy and elevated surfaces as AOT RWIS road temps across the area are still in the mid/upper 30s. Exception will be along the southern border of Rutland/Windsor where some slippery roads are likely. For the rest of the region to the north, could see some flakes or virga but no accumulations are expected with just cloudy skies and temps falling back into the 20s overnight. Quiet weather returns for Thursday and Thursday night as weak high pressure builds into the region. Aloft we remain under the influence of a fast west-southwesterly flow which will keep an abundance of low/mid level moisture around so skies will vary from partly sunny to mostly cloudy through the period. Temperatures will be seasonally warm with highs in the upper 30s to low 40s, and lows generally in the 20s. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/... As of 408 PM EST Wednesday...Weak high pressure will continue to keep quiet weather in the North Country. Near or slightly above temperatures are expected with light winds and abundant mid level cloud cover out ahead of the weekend storm. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 408 PM EST Wednesday...High confidence continues for impactful weather on Saturday due to a major winter storm. On Friday night, a strong and amplified northern stream shortwave currently in the Arctic will phase with a southern stream system currently on the west coast, becoming a full latitude and positively tilted trough extending from the Great Lakes region to the western Gulf Coast. Model guidance continues show a surface low forming downstream east of the Appalachians and tracking rapidly along the east coast from roughly northern Georgia to Delaware to near New York City in about 12 hours. Ridging ahead of the storm will help tighten the temperature gradient, with frontogenesis promoting snow on the northwestern flank of surface low pressure. This zone of snow will develop across northern New York and spread northeastward into northern Vermont, initially light but will become moderate to heavy by daybreak. Periods of heavy snow will persist until the deepening low pressure center moves into Maine Saturday night. The boundary layer may be near or slightly above freezing depending on the exact storm track, with valley rain, mainly southern Champlain and Connecticut River Valleys, initially favored until stronger northerly flow develops as the surface low passes to the east during the day. Current probabilities for 6 inches of snowfall within 12 hours exceeds 50% for the entire North Country, so expect winter storm watches will be issued as soon as tomorrow if trends continue. While heavy snowfall is expected, the magnitude in a particular location is difficult to assess with a large spread in model guidance. Our initial snowfall forecast through 7 PM Saturday consists of the bulk of the precipitation which ranges from 8 to 12 inches in most of the forecast area. Historically surface low tracks similar to the one expected produce heavy snowfall for area. If a more eastward storm track materializes, the duration of heavy snow in southern and eastern Vermont would increase. While heavy snowfall is expected, accumulations will be limited by the relatively short duration of the heavy snowfall rates given lack of upstream blocking and late closing off of the 700 millibar low. Heavy snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour will occur in mesoscale bands, causing very difficult travel during the peak of the event. Snow ratios will likely favor wet snow, becoming a powdery snow especially if the storm track is on the eastern envelope of model guidance. Snow will be impacted by increasing northwest winds, gusting in the 25 to 35 MPH range Saturday night and producing areas of blowing and drifting snow. Depending on the snow load, these winds could result in some power outages as well. Active weather pattern continues next week with variable temperatures as storm track remains near the North Country. After a brief cold and blustery Sunday, a quick warm up on Monday is expected ahead of a weakening clipper system. Depending on the degree of low level moisture and track of the system, there could be a round of snow showers. Given the time of year and extent of cold air, a lot of precipitation chances during the period will be snow mainly in the higher elevations. && .AVIATION /03Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Through 00Z Friday...A coastal low pressure system is spreading some snow over portions of northern NY and New England as of 630 PM. Mainly affecting KRUT and KSLK with IFR/MVFR visibilities and MVFR ceilings. May briefly see some snow showers at KMPV, KBTV, and even as far north as KEFK. Not expecting visibility reductions to below 6 sm at KBTV, MPV, and KEFK sites however, given dry air at low-levels, but ceilings will lower to MVFR/low VFR levels. Can`t rule out a brief snow shower however, but any flight category reductions would be brief. Meanwhile, prevailing snow at KRUT and KSLK will quickly come to an end between 01 and 02Z. Ceilings may be slow to rise above MVFR levels once the coastal system and the associated snow exits to the east, especially at KMPV and KEFK. Lingering low ceilings will finally lift after 12Z Thursday, and primarily VFR conditions expected through the end of the TAF period. Winds will generally be less than 10kts through the TAF period from the south-southwest. Some brief low-level wind shear is expected at a few TAF sites between 06Z and 12Z with west winds between 30 and 40 knots around 2000 ft AGL during this time frame. Outlook... Thursday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Friday: VFR. Slight chance SN. Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR and IFR possible. Definite SN. Saturday: Mainly MVFR, with local IFR possible. Definite SN. Saturday Night: Mainly MVFR, with areas VFR possible. Windy with gusts to 30 kt. Chance SHSN. Sunday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Sunday Night: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. NO SIG WX. Monday: VFR/MVFR conditions possible. NO SIG WX. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Lahiff NEAR TERM...Duell/Lahiff SHORT TERM...Kutikoff LONG TERM...Kutikoff AVIATION...Duell
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
912 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 ...Evening Update... The axis of light to moderate rain has shifted south of the CWA for the most part, with light returns across far southern counties suggestive of occasional drizzle or light showers. Another shortwave will traverse the CWA overnight into early tomorrow (Thursday) morning, supporting a surge of showers across central Georgia. Isolated to scattered showers remain possible as far north as the I-85 corridor (including metro Atlanta). Have updated temperatures and dew points through tomorrow evening using the CONSShort (RAP + HRRR + LAMP blend) to better capture the CAD/wedge that is forecast to set up tomorrow. As a result, high temps tomorrow are generally a few degrees cooler than previously forecast, especially across northern and eastern Georgia where the cooler air will be in place. Previous discussions follow... Martin && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 707 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022/ ..Updated for 00Z Aviation Discussion... PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 237 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022/ SHORT TERM /Tonight through Thursday Night/... Busy morning across central GA has wound down this afternoon, thankfully. Tornado watch was allowed to expire at 1 PM as better convective coverage to the south is helping to choke off moisture return and surface destabilization across central GA. Can`t rule out an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon across far east central GA, but most likely will just see some light showers continue to push across the area. Southwest flow aloft remains in place throughout the short term with shortwaves quickly moving through western trough and ejecting into southeast. The shortwave responsible for morning rain and storms is quickly moving east away from CWA so forcing for sfc front that pushed into CWA is quickly dissipating, causing it to mostly stall across central GA. Another shortwave will move through tonight, spinning up weak sfc low near the gulf coast that will bring yet another round of rainfall due to isentropic lift and a small chance of some thunderstorms across central Georgia tonight with the heaviest push of rain expected in the early morning hours. Some light showers could come as far north as ATL metro, though not expecting anything widespread or heavy like this morning`s rainfall. Rainfall totals across central GA may be up to an inch, with some isolated higher amounts possible especially in east central GA. Parameter space is looking much less threatening than this morning, so while some thunder is possible, not expecting any severe/tornado threat with this push of rain in CWA. Rainfall should clear all portions of the CWA by the late afternoon with the exception of far east Georgia where some showers may hang around into the overnight. This respite will be short-lived, as seen in the long term forecast below. Min temperatures tonight will be in the upper 30s to 40s across the north, and upper 40s to 50s in central Georgia where thermal boundary will likely draw back north a little tonight. Highs tomorrow will be in the 50s and 60s in the north, and could get near 70 in south central Georgia. Highs tomorrow in north Georgia may be tampered a bit by a wedge front expected to push down along the Appalachians. Lusk LONG TERM /Friday through Wednesday/... Big changes coming as a rather active 24-36 hours is in store for north and central Georgia to begin this period, with multiple weather threats/hazards expected. Friday starts off fairly quiet as sfc warm front sits along the Gulf Coast/Florida panhandle with a weak "wedge" affecting much of north GA. As we head through the day and into the evening hours (Friday), that warm front will surge north ahead of a deepening upr lvl trough digging into the Lower MS River Valley/Mid South regions. Expect two areas of precip to develop Friday night -- one in the warm sector associated with the warm front and then along/ahead of a strong sfc cold front. Deep-layer shear and dewpts creeping back up into the lwr 60s across parts of middle GA will set the stage for another round of strong to severe storms sometime between late Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning across our south-central and southeast counties (focused roughly along and south of a Columbus to Macon to Louisville line). The other area precip will be developing in the colder air/ deformation region along the 850mb-sfc boundary. Strong low-lvl forcing coupled with deep H7-5 PVA and 100+kt mid lvl speed max riding the base of upr trough will support widespread precip along and just behind the sfc cold front. The cold front should enter NW GA between 06-12z/Saturday with rain mixing with and/or changing to snow showers. Given deep-lyr forcing, could see some heavier mesoscale banding develop for several hours. At this time, going with 1/2 to 2" of snow - mainly north of a Rome to Jasper to Cleveland line with a trace to 1/2" possible as far south as I-20 (west of Atlanta). The other story will be the wind... given the expected strengthening of the storm system late Friday night into Saturday, gradient winds will likely reach "Advisory" levels across the area. Already predicting gusts in the 25-35 MPH range between 09z/Sat and 00z/Sun. Saturday night, skies clear and winds diminish as very cold temperatures grip the area. Widespread lower to mid 20s expected with teens in the higher elevations of north GA. Wind chills could dip down into the single digits across far north GA. Drier and more tranquil conditions will develop and prevail Sunday through Monday with a moderation in temperatures expected. Early next week (Monday night/Tuesday), a fast-moving upr lvl system diving southeast could generate some showers across the area but impacts are not expected to be significant or widespread at this time. DJN.83 AVIATION... 00Z Update... Cigs have improved to high-VFR at all TAF sites aside from MCN, where MVFR to low-VFR cigs will persist overnight. At MCN and CSG, have a PROB30 for -SHRA and MVFR to IFR vsbys between ~09z and ~14z. Have VCSH from ~10z to ~12z at ATL, surrounding sites, and AHN. Cigs will fall back to MVFR around said time frame at these sites with brief periods of IFR cigs not out of the question. Cigs will be slow to scatter out on Thursday afternoon across the Atlanta metro, while AHN looks to stay socked-in all day. Winds will be out of the north overnight, generally under 5 kts, becoming northeasterly on Thursday at 4-8 kts. //ATL Confidence...00Z Update... Medium/high confidence on cigs and -SHRA coverage in the morning. High confidence on all other elements. Martin && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 47 58 44 66 / 20 30 10 30 Atlanta 45 60 46 67 / 10 30 10 30 Blairsville 39 60 40 62 / 10 10 5 20 Cartersville 40 63 43 67 / 10 10 5 20 Columbus 50 68 50 72 / 50 40 10 50 Gainesville 46 57 45 64 / 10 20 10 20 Macon 50 66 49 71 / 60 60 20 50 Rome 40 65 42 69 / 5 10 5 20 Peachtree City 44 63 45 69 / 20 40 10 40 Vidalia 58 68 54 69 / 80 90 20 70 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...Martin LONG TERM....DJN.83 AVIATION...Martin
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
955 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 LATEST UPDATE... Update .UPDATE... Issued at 918 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 Based on satellite imagery...the clouds have been slow to increase this evening. We have reflected this in the forecast. It still looks like skies will turn mostly cloudy by daybreak as the the 500 mb trough slowly approaches from the west. Based on the limited cloud cover currently...we should still see temperatures lowering a few more degrees overnight...so the teens still look possible for northern parts of the CWA with low to mid 20s south. && .DISCUSSION...(This evening through next Wednesday) Issued at 338 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 - Thursday night / Friday light snow continues to trend down - The snow that spreads in Thursday night and then ends on Friday continues to trend lighter and lighter. The snow looks to be confined now to Southern Lower Michigan, or near and south of I-96. It appears that amounts may end up being less than an inch in areas that it snows. The snow is associated with some weak isentropic upglide that is maximized around the morning commute on Friday along I-94. If there is any impact that occurs from this snow it would be down there due to some slippery travel. - Lake effect snow Friday night into Saturday - A decent setup for some light lake effect snow exists Friday night into Saturday as cold air pours across Lake Michigan. Delta T`s will be around 20C during this time frame, so plenty of instability will be in place. A strong upper trough will be moving through the region during this time so there should be a synoptic scale boost given to the lake effect snow. The issue looks to be a lack of deep moisture. As of right now the moisture looks to be confined to below 5,000 ft, which obviously is not very deep. There looks to be a burst of snow Friday night that may be a bit heavier than what is currently advertised in the models. The change in the models today is that the wind is a bit more northwesterly which should bring Western Lower Michigan into play for some accumulating snows Friday night into Saturday. Given a moisture depth that is not real deep, thinking several inches of snow are possible. If the moisture trends up which I think it might, the accumulations will go up as well. This will be a time frame to keep an eye on. - A couple small chances for precipitation beyond Saturday - The first chance for some light snow beyond Saturday`s lake effect will be a glancing blow of some light snow Saturday night into Sunday. The system in question is a clipper and mainly stays off to our north. Any accumulations will be light and across Central Lower Michigan. Beyond that there is a low in the models that moves through the Great Lakes Monday into Tuesday, but there is a great deal of model spread in the operational models with it. With marginal temperatures we have rain/snow in the forecast during this time. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 553 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 A cold front passed through Lower Michigan earlier today and northwest winds behind it will continue to advect drier air into the state. We`re looking at VFR conditions through the period. High clouds will continue to stream in from the southwest as low pressure develops in the southern Plains. We`re likely to see some mid clouds with cigs abv 5k ft late tonight and Thursday as the southern Plains system develops, but lower cigs will remain south of the terminals. && .MARINE... Issued at 338 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 We have expanded the Small Craft Advisory in area and time. All zones are now in the SCA and it has been extended through 18z on Thursday. The 4km NAM, ARW and the HRRR all show stronger winds moving through tonight. The HRRR Bufkit overview at mid lake shows a couple different cores of wind around 20 knots. This will lead to waves of 3 to 5 feet which is why we extended and expanded the SCA. We expect whitecaps on lakeshore webcams in the morning. In the mid latitudes there is always the next system and the next one for us comes on Friday behind a cold front. Strong northwest winds of 20-30 knots will build waves to 5 to 8 feet. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. LM...Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM EST Thursday for LMZ844>849. && $$ UPDATE...MJS DISCUSSION...Duke AVIATION...04 MARINE...Duke
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
541 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 327 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 A longwave trough of low pressure was the main feature across the CONUS this morning. The axis of this main trough extended from central Manitoba, south southwest into northern Mexico. West of this feature, a strong shortwave trough was present over the Idaho Panhandle and eastern Washington State. Additional embedded shortwaves were noted from southern Idaho into Wyoming. Downstream of Idaho/Wyoming shortwave, strong mid level frontogenesis, north of an arctic surface front, extended from Wyoming into the southern 2/3rds of Nebraska. Light snow, with some moderate snow in the Panhandle was reported earlier this morning. As of this afternoon, light snow continued generally along and south of highway 92. As of 3 PM CST, temperatures ranged from 13 at Gordon to 21 at Valentine. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday night) Issued at 327 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 The main forecast issue over the next 24 hours is the continued threat for snow mainly over the southern half of the forecast area. Current radar imagery, supported by DOT web cameras, indicate an end to snowfall across Sheridan and Grant counties. That being said, have cancelled the advisory for these areas. Will leave Garden county in a warning, as the southern third of the county is still seeing light to locally moderate snowfall. With respect to the remainder of the advisory area, will leave headlines as is for now as snow, albeit light, continues across the area. Over the past 3 hours, banding has set up along the I80 corridor from Sidney to Ogallala to North Platte. Within this area, visibilities were generally from 1 to 3 miles with hourly snowfall accumulations under a half an inch (this assumes a 20:1 SLR ratio which has been pretty close to our measurements at the NWS office in North Platte). Looking at the latest short term model solutions from this morning along with the latest 18z NAM and 18z HRRR solns, banding along the I80 corridor will persist for the next 2 to 4 hours, before weakening. A secondary, more intense band of snow should develop along the KS/NE border mid evening and transition east northeast overnight into Thursday. Attm, some amounts up to around 6 inches may be possible in the southern most portions of Chase, Hayes and Frontier counties. Given the long duration of the expected snowfall, will not be upgrading these areas to a warning with this package. Robust mid level fronto genesis continues this afternoon across southwestern Nebraska and the southern Sandhills. The strongest frontogenesis in this area extends along Interstate 80 this afternoon. A secondary, even stronger area of mid level frontogenesis will develop over far northern Kansas and far southern Nebraska later this evening, carrying over into Thursday for south central into far southeastern Nebraska. Weaker lift will linger into Thursday morning across far southwestern Nebraska before transitioning east. As for the snow forecast, feel fairly confident in what was inherited with the previous forecast package. Made some tweaks to snow amounts in the west (Deuel and southern Garden county to account for the 3+ inches which fell in western and southwestern portions of those respective counties overnight) and in the south to account for the expected location of the second band. An arctic cold front will back into the forecast area on Thursday night. This will lead to breezy conditions with the fropa overnight. Resultant wind chills will need to be monitored for Friday morning as they may bottom out around -15 to -20. Temps will be cold on Friday under the influence of the arctic airmass as highs will range from the lower 20s in the northeast, to possibly freezing in the far southwest. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 327 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 A warm front will push across the forecast area Friday night with much warmer air working into the area for the weekend. Temperatures will be held back into the 40s Saturday and 50s Sunday given the expected snow cover. Highs will fall back into the upper 40s to lower 50s thanks to a weak cold front. Readings will then bounce back into the 60s on Tuesday as ridging begins to build east of the Rockies. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 545 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Snow will continue for southwest Nebraska terminals through tonight, leading to MVFR/IFR and locally LIFR CIGs and visibilities. The heaviest snow should persist generally south of an OGA to LBF line overnight. A gradual improvement to VFR is anticipated by late tomorrow morning for all area terminals. Winds will remain out of the north through tonight, at around 5 to 15kts. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST /11 AM MST/ Thursday for NEZ035>038-057>059-069>071. Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Thursday for NEZ022-056. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Buttler SHORT TERM...Buttler LONG TERM...Buttler AVIATION...Brown
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
907 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 907 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 The going forecast into Thursday remains in fairly sound shape. The main tweak was to inch up the start time of the snow in the central CWA during the mid-late afternoon into early evening period. While the signs exist it will start a little earlier and overlap a portion of the commute in some locations, impacts still look limited during that time period due to light snowfall rates. For the rest of tonight, high clouds will be thickening with moist return aloft ahead of the intermountain trough. Temperatures will still drop some with gradual cold and dry advection from the northwest. Going lows of upper teens to mid 20s are on track. Regional radar imagery from the Central Plains this evening shows ongoing snow, some heavy, with the tightening mid-level baroclinic zone near the Nebraska-Kansas border. As the first impulse approaches the area Thursday afternoon into evening, it will result in that vertical frontogenetical circulation extending over our area, though not as robust. The most recent guidance soundings of saturated depth and omega do hint at a little earlier onset time of light snow in the central CWA (from roughly LaSalle County toward Chicago) mid to late afternoon into early evening. The 00Z HRRR even has 0.04 to 0.08" of QPF by 00Z from the LaSalle and Livingston Counties through the western/southwestern Chicago metro, though that may be aggressive given the low-level dry air. So just a minor speed up in the forecast at this time, but no changes to amounts or the main messaging of this upcoming event. MTF && .SHORT TERM... Issued at 213 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Through Thursday night... Modest post-frontal CAA under broad WSW flow aloft has resulted in a generally seasonable day for early March. An elongated ridge extending SE from the northern High Plains will edge into the Upper Mississippi Valley through Thursday as surface low pressure attempts to form near the OK/TX panhandles. Expansive mid to upper-level clouds will begin filtering over the area this evening, but initial cooling within an increasingly dry low-level airmass should still result in temps falling into the upper teens northwest to mid 20s southeast. The mid-level wave responsible for the poorly organized cyclogenesis in the southern High Plains will lift ENE across the central Conus while becoming increasingly sheared. Meanwhile, today`s cold front will stall across the Ohio River Valley while a narrow upper jet streak shifts mid-MS Valley. The vertical discontinuity in and lack of coherent forcing will be a notable limiting factor in precip generation with this system. But a fairly well organized low-level Fgen response will likely drive a narrow corridor of light to briefly moderate precip across the SE 2/3 of the CWA very late Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. Thermal/wet-bulb profiles are supportive of all snow for precip type, with SLRs 12:1 or less. Expectations are for little to snow snow near Rockford, to around 1" in most of the Chicago metro, to 1-2" along and south of the Kankakee River. A decent NE feed of dry air will likely result in a sharp northern cutoff in snow across northern IL and will also limit lake-enhancement off Lake Michigan. With all that said, the fairly pronounced and deep Fgen axis may yield a narrow (on the order of a county or two) axis of higher snowfall amounts up to 3" around or south of I-55. Kluber && .LONG TERM... Issued at 400 PM CST Wed Mar 9 2022 Friday through Wednesday... Primary concerns for the long term: * Snow ending south by Friday afternoon. * An arctic high pushing in an unseasonably cold air mass behind the snow into Saturday. Gusty northerly winds with the tightening pressure gradient will cause sub-zero wind chills early Saturday morning. * Brief window of lake effect snow showers in portions of our northwest Indiana counties in the late Friday night through Saturday morning period. At the start of the forecast period, light snow will likely still be ongoing for the southeast 1/3 of the area, though tapering off NW to SE as the main fgen forcing within the baroclinic zone gets pushed eastward out of our CWA by an incoming arctic high. The strong cold front will make its way into northern Illinois by Friday evening. There looks to be a low chance of snow showers or flurries along the front but confidence remains low due to limited moisture, which currently appears likely to greatly reduce risk for any snow squall activity despite the very sharp Arctic front. With ongoing midlevel cold air advection around -20 to -22C and a north-northwesterly fetch over Lake Michigan, this sets up the potential for LES in parts of northwest Indiana, specifically northeast Porter County and points east. Parameters are forecast to be rather favorable with BUFKIT soundings indicating lake- induced CAPE around 500-600 J/kg, inversion heights up to 7500ft and ELs up to 9500ft. Main limiting factor is the limited moisture and boundary layer wind direction not being ideal, but there is still time for changes on position/orientation of lake induced convergence. Timing would be early Saturday morning eventually pushing out east into Michigan by the afternoon. Potential for travel hazards in this period would include slippery roads and reduced visibility. For the rest of the area, the big story Friday night into Saturday morning is ramping up of cold air advection (CAA). Gusty NW winds will bring overnight temps into the single digits and lower teens. Wind chill values during this time will fall to sub-zero, bottoming out at -5 to -15F early Saturday, feeling more like January. Saturdays high temps look to only top out in the mid-20s, with gusty northwest winds keeping afternoon wind chills in the single digits and teens above zero. As the arctic high moves east towards Appalachia, we will see a windy return flow out of the south behind the high and in the warm advection region of a clipper passing to our north. As a result, Sunday will warm up quite nicely back into the 50s. Weak moisture advection in combination with 25-30kt wind gusts spell a chance for potential fire wx conditions. If temps overperform and dew points underperform, some spots could approach Red Flag criteria. Both of these appear quite possible in this setup, especially if mixing maximizes.. Area of greater concern in this scenario would be the far northern IL long term drought areas that will mostly/entirely miss out on snow Thursday night. Looking into the work week, ensembles are eyeing another clipper shortwave moving over the Midwest on Monday. Temps will warm up to the mid to upper 50s and higher dews will mitigate any fire weather concerns. Cold front passage Monday evening could have spotty showers. Tuesday therefore could remain on the cooler side of temps currently being advertised. More warm return flow on Wednesday as a clipper is forecast to push to our north. High temps will potentially climb into the 60s depending on how warm 850 and 925 mb temps are. BW/JB/Castro && .AVIATION... For the 00Z TAFs... Aviation Forecast Concerns: * Northwest winds become north overnight, and northeast Thursday afternoon. * Low probability of high-end MVFR ceilings Thursday afternoon with a few flurries possible. * Widespread light snow develops early Thursday evening. Weak surface cold front had pushed southeast of the terminals late this afternoon, and will stall south of the Ohio River overnight. West-northwest winds generally below 10 kts behind the front this evening will eventually veer north overnight, and northeast Thursday afternoon as surface high pressure passes north of the forecast area. Light snow is expected to develop across southern IA and MO Thursday in association with an approaching weather disturbance. This light snow will then spread across northern IL later Thursday afternoon and evening. Snow is expected to arrive at the terminals around 00Z, though a few flurries can`t be ruled out during the late afternoon as the column tries to saturate. Current model guidance trends indicate that best potential for periods of more moderate snow and lower visibilities may lay out just south of the KORD/KDPA area Thursday evening, with lower conditions more likely farther southeast toward KGYY. Confidence is generally medium with these details at this time. Ratzer && .LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. IN...None. LM...None. && $$ Visit us at weather.gov/chicago 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
657 PM EST Wed Mar 9 2022 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 223 PM EST WED MAR 9 2022 Passage of a shortwave and secondary cold front supported some heavier snow showers earlier today. CAA is underway, and per latest RAP analysis, current 850mb temps across Lake Superior range from -13C e to around -16C w. Deeper moisture over the area, upwards of 10kft, combined with increasing overlake instability is resulting in sct -shsn off the lake. We are now into the time of year where higher sun angle/increasing solar insolation leads to some instability over the land as well. Thus, flurries are fairly widespread across the area even with forcing from shortwave now e of the area. Under caa, temps haven`t change much since sunrise. Readings currently range from generally 15-20F w to 25-30F s central and e. By 00z, 850mb temps across Lake Superior should range from -16C e to about -20C w. Deeper moisture will begin to thin out over the w toward 00z, but at least for the next several hrs, don`t expect much change from current conditions. Sct w to wnw flow -shsn will continue off of Lake Superior with sct flurries elsewhere. DGZ will occupy a good portion of the convective layer to support higher SLRs. However, even where -shsn are more persistent, expect snow accumulations to be mostly under 1 inch for the rest of the aftn into the early evening. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 315 PM EST WED MAR 9 2022 LES across the Keweenaw and near Whitefish Point continues tonight into Thursday as a weak high pressure ridge digs into the Northern Plains tonight. Expect some cold temps tonight through Thursday night as anomalously cold air remains over us. Afterwards, a Clipper system looks to impact our area Friday, followed by LES and another Clipper system this weekend. As we get into next week, expect to see temps warm to near the climatological average as the jet stream trends north and east. More details for the fcst follow below. Anomalously cold temps are expected tonight through Thursday as ensembles show 850mb temps in the 10th percentile. Expect lows below zero across much of the area, with negatives in the double digits possible in the interior west as skies clear across most of the area. Due to temps getting down to -20C near 850mb, expect LES to continue in the the W wind belts tonight, namely in the Keweenaw and near the Lake Superior shoreline near and east of Grand Marais. Not much in the way of snowfall accumulation is expected, even though winds are looking to converge over the lake, as much of the lake is ice covered in the west and the convergent band should mostly stay offshore in the east. While the saturated part of the atmospheric profile in the lower atmosphere is expected to be in the DGZ, the fluffy nature of the snow shouldn`t lend itself much to increasing snow totals. Therefore, thinking around a fluffy inch (maybe two) is expected over the Keweenaw and near the Lake Superior shoreline from around Grand Marais eastward. As the winds begin to back to the southwest Thursday due to an approaching warm front associated with a Clipper system, expect the LES to move offshore by the afternoon hours. While sunnier skies are expected Thursday, the 850mb temps below -20C are going to keep high temps below freezing. A Clipper system approaches the area Thursday night, moving through Upper MI Friday. This system shouldn`t bring too much in the way of snowfall across the U.P.; just probably an inch or two. Behind the Clipper Friday night and Saturday, expect LES to fire back up over NW wind belts (save for maybe the Porkies westward due to ice coverage). While the LES should weaken Friday night and Saturday, could still see a few inches of fluffy snowfall in these areas. Some blowing snow seems possible in the Keweenaw and east near Lake Superior Friday night and Saturday as blustery NW winds create said conditions. Another Clipper system looks to move through Saturday night and Sunday. Again, not much in the way of impacts is currently expected; while PWATs (and thus QPF and snow totals) have increased with this system since yesterday, not really expecting more than a couple to a few inches across the area. Early next week, model guidance is showing large divergence in precip solutions. Therefore, decided to keep what the NBM gave for precip chances. As for temps, expect a gradual warming trend throughout the week next week as the jet stream lifts north and east back over us, allowing warmer air to reach us. While the NBM is showing 40s early next week and nearly 50F by Wednesday over Menominee, I have my doubts about the high temps, as snow should still keep the temps closer to freezing. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 657 PM EST WED MAR 9 2022 VFR conditions have already returned to KIWD and KSAW this evening with the arrival of drier air. MVFR are, however, lingering at KCMX and will do so through the night. Despite improving CIGS at KCMX, the strong winds will continue to blow snow around, reducing visibilities. Sustained wind speeds through the night at KCMX will remain strong out of the west at 18 to 22 kts, gusting to 32 kts. They will diminish a bit around daybreak to 12 kts with gusts up to 21 kts finally weakening below 12 kts late Thursday afternoon. Elsewhere, the 12 to 15 kt WNW winds at KIWD/KSAW will taper off over the next few hours. && .MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance) Issued at 312 PM EST WED MAR 9 2022 In the wake of a cold front that has passed, expect w winds to continue to gust to gale force around 35kt across portions of the e half of Lake Superior into the early evening hrs. Across the w half of the lake, wind gusts of 20-30kt will be the rule. Wind gusts will then generally remain in the 20-30kt range across much of Lake Superior thru Thu night. With the stronger winds and a late season arctic air mass moving over the area, hvy freezing spray is expected over portions of central and eastern Lake Superior tonight into Thu. The next low pres system tracking e and passing near the northern shore of Lake Superior on Fri will bring increasing winds. Expect westerly gale force gusts to around 35kt to develop over western Lake Superior on Fri. Across central and eastern Lake Superior, westerly gales of 35-40kt will develop Fri, becoming nw Fri night. Not out of the question that there could be a short period of high end gale gusts to around 45kt. These strong winds will bring another round of heavy freezing spray to central and eastern Lake Superior Fri into Sat. Winds will gradually diminish Sat and should be mostly under 20kt on Sun/Mon. && .MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Upper Michigan... None. Lake Superior... Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 4 PM EST Thursday for LSZ251- 267. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 4 PM EST Thursday for LSZ249- 250-266. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 7 AM EST Thursday for LSZ243- 244-264. Lake Michigan... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Rolfson LONG TERM...TAP AVIATION...TDUD MARINE...Rolfson
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
513 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 .UPDATE... Updated Aviation section. && .SYNOPSIS... Slightly warmer, below normal temperatures expected today along with continued clear and dry conditions. A relatively dry weather system is forecast to drop through the region on Thursday and Thursday night bringing gusty winds to the area, especially across southeast California and southwest Arizona where blowing dust will also be a concern. Fair chances for modest precipitation will accompany this system, primarily from Phoenix eastward. Dry and clear weather returns Friday followed by a warming trend beginning Saturday. Temperatures will climb back well into the eighties by early next. week. && .DISCUSSION... The RAP 500 mb analysis shows a long-wave trough axis shifting off to the east with pronounced northwest flow aloft ahead of a large NE PAC ridge. GOES WV imagery depicts a jet streak and PVA disturbance to the northwest of the region moving southeast through the Great Basin ahead of a developing shortwave trough over WA. GOES IR has clear skies across the area with mostly high clouds moving southeast with the disturbance to the northwest. The relatively dry shortwave system drops rapidly through the Great Basin tonight and tomorrow and into AZ late Thu and Thu night. With strong high pressure building behind the deepening shortwave the rapidly tightening gradient will generate very gusty northerly wind conditions, especially across SE CA to SW AZ. With ensembles favoring advisory level max gusts of 45-50 mph, the threat of blowing dust is also likely. As a result, wind and blowing dust advisories remain in effect for most of SE CA and SW AZ beginning early Thu afternoon well into Thu night. The advisories also includes JTNP and the Lower CO River Valley. There are also fair chances of modest amounts of isolated-scattered light rain and showers across Phoenix tomorrow evening, and over the high terrain tomorrow night. This even includes some light snow over our high terrain east of Phoenix above ~5-6 Kft. The NBM and ensembles favor <0.05" of rain for the Phoenix Metro area, and <3/4" of snow for the highest elevations to the east. The favored NBM POPs have now improved to a fleeting 25-40% after 00Z Fri (Thu evening) for the greater Phoenix area, and 40-70% for the eastern high terrain for Thu evening and night. With a dash of very modest forecast CAPE, the models and NBM also feature non-zero chances for isolated thunderstorms and convection with this system. The Grand Ensemble and NBM are in good agreement on just enough cold air with this system to keep temperatures in a fairly narrow channel through Fri, and then very good agreement on ushering in a warm-up starting this weekend into early next week as a strong high pressure anomaly builds in by Sat across the W CONUS. Cluster analysis also shows reinforcing high pressure on Mon with highs punching well into the 80s early next week. Currently the warmest day is forecast for Tue with highs in the upper 80s to near 90. Currently there is a 52% chance of reaching a high of 90 degrees in Phoenix on Tue. && .AVIATION...Updated at 0013Z. South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT An upper trough and associated cold front will move south through the Great Basin tonight and then through AZ and southeast CA Thursday into Friday. In the process, northwesterly flow aloft will trend toward west and southwesterly and strengthen. At the surface, anticipate some occasional gustiness (15-20kts) until 02Z or so before weakening and then trending toward easterly directions. Sustained speeds during the latter part of the evening and overnight will primarily remain below 10kts and likely be AOB 8kts for much of the time. With mixing in the late morning, surface winds will take on a more southerly component and strengthen with sustained speeds of 10-12kts being common along with brief localized gusts of 15-20kts. By mid afternoon Thursday, anticipate winds to become more southwesterly and strengthen some more with gusts of 20-25 kts common. Anticipate some additional strengthening by late afternoon with gusts of 25-30kts. Skies will be clear tonight and through the morning Thursday before some cumulus develops in the FL080-100 layer in the afternoon with local broken layers after 21Z. Isolated showers are possible over the Valley floor confidence in occurrence at any given location too low to reflect in the TAFs at this time. Additionally, there could be some lofted dust wafting in from the west which could potentially lead to a reduction of slantwise visibilities when the sun angle is low. But, if ceilings are in place, then that would be less of an issue. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: An upper trough and associated cold front will move south through the Great Basin tonight and then through AZ and southeast CA Thursday into Friday. In the process, northwesterly flow aloft (above FL100) will remain in place through Thursday afternoon. Below that, southwest and west winds will strengthen some before trending northerly in the afternoon and strengthening substantially. At the surface, anticipate some breeziness (gusts 20-25kts) this evening favoring southwest-westerly at KIPL and southerly at KBLH. Winds will weaken below 10kts overnight. With mixing between 17Z-18Z, anticipate strengthening of the winds favoring northwest directions. This will be followed by more strengthening by mid afternoon - especially at KBLH with gusts of 35-40kts. Anticipate dust channels (especially over eastern Riverside County) leading to areas of lofted dust and reduced slantwise visibilities. With the strongest gusts, anticipate localized brief surface visibility restrictions of 3-6SM (more likely at KBLH than KIPL). && .FIRE WEATHER... Friday through Tuesday: Behind an exiting weather system, northerly breezy winds are expected on Friday with high pressure and drying conditions overtaking the area. Strengthening high pressure will then lead to a warming trend and continued dry conditions through the rest of the period. High temperatures should eventually warm to near 90 degrees by next Tuesday. After Friday, winds will be fairly light day to day, while minimum humidities will be between 7-13% each day. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...Blowing Dust Advisory from 2 PM Thursday to 2 AM MST Friday for AZZ530-531-533. Wind Advisory from 2 PM Thursday to 2 AM MST Friday for AZZ530- 531-533. Blowing Dust Advisory from 4 PM to 10 PM MST Thursday for AZZ532. Wind Advisory from 4 PM to 10 PM MST Thursday for AZZ532. CA...Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 10 PM PST Thursday for CAZ560-561- 568. Blowing Dust Advisory from 1 PM Thursday to 1 AM PST Friday for CAZ564-569-570. Wind Advisory from 1 PM Thursday to 1 AM PST Friday for CAZ564- 569-570. Blowing Dust Advisory from 11 AM to 10 PM PST Thursday for CAZ561-568. Blowing Dust Advisory from 3 PM to 9 PM PST Thursday for CAZ563- 565-567. Wind Advisory from 3 PM to 9 PM PST Thursday for CAZ563-565-567. && $$ Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and at weather.gov/phoenix DISCUSSION...Sawtelle AVIATION...AJ FIRE WEATHER...Kuhlman
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
640 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 621 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 Snow is increasing over parts of the Pueblo forecast area and will continue to do so over the next few hours. Current trends show two pockets of increased snowfall across the plains, with one along NE Pueblo, SE El Paso, and NW Crowley counties, and the other along southern Pueblo County. Radar also shows a boundary draping southward across Pueblo County. This boundary is likely the Arctic cold front. Examining current model and mesoanalysis data, the band along the Pueblo, El Paso, and Crowley county area is likely driven by 700mb frontogenesis taking place over that region. The southern Pueblo County band is likely being induced by stronger upsloping, as the Arctic front pushes up along the rising terrain in that area. Light to moderate snow is expected under these bands, which could lead to quicker snow accumulations on roads and other surfaces. Elsewhere across the plains, lighter snow is still ongoing and expected given the overall synoptic ascent with a passing short wave trough. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 306 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 Key messages: 1) Bitter cold air spreads across the area tonight, with snow developing many areas as well. 2) Bands of heavy snow possible tonight and again Thursday afternoon, especially along and south of the Arkansas River and over the Wet/Sangre de Cristo Mountains. 3) Winter Weather Highlights remain unchanged from earlier forecast Cold front through much of eastern Colorado at mid-afternoon, as surface low pressure sinks southward into New Mexico. Broad upper trough over the western U.S. has gradually deepened today, with weak upward motion spreading across most of the area this afternoon. Have seen mainly light snow so far today, especially back over the Continental Divide, though deepening low level upslope was aiding in snow shower generation over the Pikes Peak region, and accumulating snowfall was noted over Monument Hill as of 2 pm. For tonight, first piece of upper energy lifts out across the area, though still some model differences in position of the main snow band this evening, as forecast location of weak mid level circulation varies between nrn NM and central CO. In general, stuck close to previous snowfall forecast, which tracks well with the HRRR/GFS, with the heavy snow band located from the Wets through Pueblo into Crowley county, though El Paso county could see a few hours of slightly heavier snow early this evening, as initial weaker band fills in across the area. Over the mountains, snowfall will continue overnight, especially over the Divide as moist w-sw mid level flow continues. Still have some patchy blowing snow in the grids over the plains, though surface pressure surge doesn`t look as impressive as earlier thought, and backed off wind speeds east of the mountains as a result. Cold air will continue to pour southward across the area overnight, with temp/wind combination leading to wind chills below zero at many locations Thu morning. Upward vertical motion weakens for the first half of the day Thu, and expect snow to taper off to flurries or end for a period, especially along and east of the mountains, though clouds will likely persist. In the afternoon, main piece of energy with the western trough approaches, with snowfall increasing in coverage and intensity by early evening. Focus for snow will be over the Sangres/Wets/srn I-25 corridor, where some pockets of heavy snow look likely as mid/upper level lift ramps up. Max temps will remain cold across the area, with readings well below freezing over all but the San Luis Valley. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 306 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 Key messages: 1) The low pressure system will be exiting the region by Friday morning, but until then, snow and gusty winds will still be in place. Very cold temperatures will remain in place and some locations will have frigid temperatures Friday night. 2) Ridging will temporarily build in for the weekend with much more mild temperatures, which will be right around the seasonal average or even slightly above for most locations by Sunday. Mid level northwesterly flow could bring a few snow showers to the northern Sawatch Range on early on Saturday. 3) A deepening shortwave trough will move quickly across the region Sunday night through Monday will provide a chance of snow, mainly over the higher elevations, and a slight cooldown. 4) A well amplified ridge looks to build back in on Tuesday but then quickly be replaced by troughing advancing towards the region by late Wednesday. Snow will be possible over the mountains and adjacent plains Wednesday evening. Detailed discussion: Thursday night through Friday night... Model data has remained fairly consistent with the timing of the positively tilted major shortwave trough axis moving over the CWA and being between 09Z and 15Z on Friday (2 AM to 8 AM Friday morning). With this, there will continue to be impacts from this low pressure system, beginning with the main brunt of snow over the southern portion of the Lower Arkansas River Valley, and the southwestern and eastern mountains around 00Z on Friday (5 PM Thursday evening). This will then be transitioning to the southern portions of the CWA throughout the night, with snow ending by around 15 to 18Z on Friday (8 to 11 AM) over the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Some models indicate that a generous amount of banding is going to initiate over the southern portion of the Lower Arkansas River Valley late Thursday evening and then slowly drift southward and redevelop over the far southeastern plains by early Friday morning. The NAM 4km Nest also emphasizes on heavier banding over Huerfano County at around 6-8 PM Thursday evening, along with a heavier snow band over the central San Luis Valley and Baca County around this time. The HRRR tends to keep the heavier banding to the south over western Las Animas County. Depending on where the snow bands actually establish themselves and the extent of them could determine which areas to the east see more snow. For instance, if the heavier banding is over Huerfano and southern Pueblo county, given the mid level wind flow out of the WSW, Crowley County could receive heavier amounts, whereas if the banding is further south over western Las Animas County, Otero could receive higher amounts. Winds will be initially be out of the NE direction over the plains during Thursday afternoon and provide better isentropic upgliding, but then winds will begin to shift to the NW and weaken. This will reduce the amount of upgliding and snow bands should begin to weaken in intensity. Winds on the backside of the low pressure center, which will be southeast of Colorado, will begin to increase due to tightening of the pressure gradient over the far southeastern plains. Due to this, and having the polar airmass in place, wind chill values could be potentially dangerous for a few hours during the early morning hours over some areas of the eastern plains. A blend of the BCONSALL and NAM 10 percentile was used to lower temperatures within the shallow polar air mass that will infiltrate the plains, bringing low temperatures down to the single digits for most locations, and below 0F for high country. Another area of focus for very cold overnight lows will be Wet Mountain Valley, where some latest model guidance has suggested that Westcliffe could get down to as low as -20F if there is enough clearing of lower stratus cloud and radiational cooling. During the late morning on Friday, snow showers will be more confined to the southern CWA, and will continue to taper off with the last remaining showers over the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains diminishing by around midday. With the polar airmass still in place, high temperatures will only warm to around the mid 30s for the plains and slightly warmer over the Upper Arkansas River Valley and San Luis Valley. For the mountains, highs will generally be in the teens and 20s, with single digits for the highest peaks. Higher pressure will continue to move in with clearing skies throughout the day. Saturday through Sunday afternoon... Some ridging will temporarily begin to build in over the region throughout the weekend. There will be some residual moisture in the mid levels and with the predominantly NW`ly flow, due to this, there could be some light snow showers over the northern Sawatch range during the early morning hours on Saturday. The downsloping winds will be to warm most lower elevations back up to around the seasonal average, especially by Sunday, where some locations will have high temperatures slightly above average over the southeastern plains. Sunday evening through Monday... Models tend to somewhat agree with a minor shortwave at the 500 mb level that will deepen as it rapidly propagates over the region by late Sunday evening and throughout the early part of the day on Monday. This will allow for a cooldown and chance of snow over the higher elevations, mainly the northern Central Mountains. Being that the wave will be quite premature, it will be mostly moisture starved and therefore not expecting for there to be much in the way of lower level moisture to be present. There is also going to be a chance of some snow also over the Rampart Range and Palmer Divide. Some of the GEFS ensemble members are also suggesting that there is going to be precipitation over the southern plains, but given the orientation of this trough, at this time there does not appear to be a lot of data to give confidence that this will occur and therefore the QPF in the NBM has been removed from this area. Chances are that only virga will exist over most of the plains and the only impact will be an increase of winds over the eastern plains, which will become quite strong and gusty going into the afternoon hours. Cooler for highs on Monday, and much closer to the seasonal average for this time of year. Tuesday through Wednesday... Model guidance and ensembles are generally showing a warming trend as ridging occurs over the region on Tuesday. Temperatures look to be slightly above the seasonal average for most locations for highs on Tuesday, but then cooling down on Wednesday as the trough upstream begins to approach the southeast Colorado and breaks down the ridge. It is still too far out in the forecast period to have confidence of when this next low pressure system is going to impact the region, but some guidance and ensemble members suggest that there will be snow showers moving over the Central Mountains and adjacent plains as early as late afternoon of Wednesday next week. -Stewey && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 306 PM MST Wed Mar 9 2022 At KCOS and KPUB, cold front is through both sites, with MVFR cigs and snow showers developing as of 2130z. Expect steadier snow and IFR conditions at both sites starting around 00z and continuing overnight. Some improvement back to MVFR vis Thu morning as snow becomes light/flurries, then increasing snow intensity will lead to IFR vis again after 18z-20z. Models have backed off on the strength of the surface pressure gradient into this evening, and have lowered gusts into the 15-25 kt range. At KALS, gradually lowering VFR cigs this evening, with vcsh starting 02z and continuing through the night. Brief periods of MVFR cigs and IFR vis possible with any heavier showers. Better chance of snow and potential IFR conditions Thu afternoon after 18z as snow spread eastward across the San Luis Valley. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST Thursday for COZ084-085- 089-093-095-096. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST Thursday for COZ058>061. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 AM MST Friday for COZ072>075- 078>080-083-086-087. Winter Weather Advisory until 11 PM MST Thursday for COZ066-068. Winter Weather Advisory from noon Thursday to 5 AM MST Friday for COZ088. && $$ UPDATE...SIMCOE SHORT TERM...PETERSEN LONG TERM...STEWARD AVIATION...PETERSEN