Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RUC13" "RUC" "RR" received at GSD on 07/19/23


Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
648 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .DISCUSSION...(This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 144 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Key Messages: - Storms possible on Wednesday afternoon and evening, some of which may be strong to severe (10-20% chance). Large hail would be the main threat. - Low risk of rain this weekend (20 to 30% chance). - Increasing confidence in a warming trend to start next week. Tonight and Wednesday Morning: An upper level shortwave ridge builds into our region this evening in the wake of a low that is pulling off to our east. Lows tonight will fall into the middle to upper 50s with our typical cool spots dipping into the upper 40s. Some river valley fog may be possible towards sunrise when considering the light winds, clearer skies overnight and small dewpoint depressions. The densest fog should be restricted to the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River tributaries. Some uncertainty presents itself early Wednesday morning with a convective complex associated with a shortwave trough immediately trailing the ridge axis, which might impact areas west of the Mississippi River as shown in the 18.12 HRRR. Slight (20%) shower probabilities have been added to our northeastern Iowa and southern Minnesota areas to account for this scenario. Temperatures tomorrow should be warmer (lower to mid-80s) with low-level warm advection ahead of the evening trough. Late Wednesday Storm Potential: Confidence for storms is increasing for late Wednesday, but the severe potential still is quite uncertain. Most guidance has settled on the position of the shortwave but there is still some spread between the models when looking at the available instability on Wednesday evening. The 18.06 GEFS ensembles tend to want to show a high degree of confidence (60-80%) of seeing CAPE values of 1000 J/kg across portions of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and portions of west-central Wisconsin. This is contrasted by the EC ensembles which has much lower confidence (10-20%) in developing the CAPE axis this significantly to see values of 1000 J/kg. Short-term guidance appears to fall more closely in line with the GEFS at this time with the 18.09 RAP wanting to have previously mentioned areas seeing MLCAPE values of around 1500-2000 J/kg with lower values east of the Mississippi River and south of I-90. This spread is still shown in the SREF MLCAPE plumes with RST seeing anywhere from 500 to 2500 J/kg. Much of this uncertainty in the instability may be related to the convective complex coming through in the morning Wednesday, which could significantly alter the thermodynamic profiles in its wake. With the placement of the shortwave well-resolved, the shear profiles are more consistent between models as shown in the SREF effective shear plumes which tend to cluster in the 45-55 knot range. The Day 2 SPC severe outlook has put portions of our area in a Slight Risk outlining hail and damaging winds, particularly emphasizing the hail risk with a hatched area for the possibility of hail 2" in diameter or greater. This is a highly conditional threat based on how storms evolve in the morning. Regardless of the severe threat, most of the CAMs initiate storms tomorrow evening along and ahead of the surface cold front, specifically north of I-90. The question seems to be how far south will the forcing exist to develop storms along the front. Moisture with this event is not particularly impressive with most of the higher PWATs being well to our southwest; however, both the deterministic 18.12 NAM and 18.06 GFS want to show around 1.5" which could mean heavier downpours in storms. However, when considering the minimal warm cloud depths and weaker 850mb moisture transport, this will unlikely help the current drought situation significantly. Through the Weekend: Looking towards the end of the week, temperatures should remain seasonable with highs in the 80s into the weekend. Wednesday`s trough will push to the east and a building ridge out west, leaving our area in a northwesterly flow pattern. Some of the long-range guidance has occasional indications of subtle shortwaves that could ride along the ridge and increase our shower risk over the weekend, but the forecast only has lower chances (15-30%) at this time due to low predictability. Start of Next Week: Long-range ensemble guidance next week highlight the ridge out west attempting to build its way east towards our region. Generally speaking, as this ridge progresses eastward it will likely have our region in a warmer and drier setup going into next week. The GFS ensembles have the most robust solution, already having high confidence (50-70%) that highs mid-week will be above average into the 90s. The degree of warming will depend on how far the amplifying ridge out west advects into our region. Various models handle this differently, but a larger portion of the guidance wants to trend our area to have above average temperatures next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening) Issued at 637 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Fog restricting flight conditions in the Mississippi River Valley continue to appear unlikely into Wednesday morning. Wisconsin River Valley, given its proclivity, is much more likely to drop into LIFR cigs and vis from fog development. Primary concern then becomes storms on Wednesday morning and evening. Models agree on storms waning as they advect southeast, locally reaching southeast Minnesota near 10Z. Therefore, continued PROB30 group for KRST. Further east, towards the Mississippi River and KLSE, increased confidence continues for limited to no morning impacts. Subsequent evening storms are dependent on morning storm extent and impacts on resultant instability. Current timing for evening storms place initial impacts shortly after 19.00Z TAF period. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...NONE. MN...NONE. IA...NONE. && $$ DISCUSSION...Naylor AVIATION...JAR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1102 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Showers and thunderstorms linger late this evening. Drier weather is expected Wednesday into Thursday, then showers and thunderstorms likely return Friday. A few showers may linger on Saturday but high pressure brings sunny and less humid conditions by Sunday and Monday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/... Tweaked rainfall chances this evening based on the latest runs of the HRRR and RAP guidance. This maintains at least a chance of some showers into the early morning hours. The RAP was the most aggressive at generating showers with the passage of a weak mid level shortwave. Will be keeping an eye on this, as those showers have not developed as of yet. Minor tweaks to forecast temperatures to bring them back in line with observed trends. 755 PM update... As of 755 PM, most showers had exited northeast MA. However, a new round of scattered thunderstorms was approaching the Berkshires from eastern NY state. Mesoscale models do show some of these working their way into portions of NW MA and perhaps northern CT, before weakening by midnight. Although not very widespread, will keep the Flood Watch going for at least a couple of more hours. Will let the next shift assess on the 10 PM update whether to cancel it prior to its midnight expiration. Low cloudiness was developing in the soupy air along the south coast. That is forecast to expand across approximately the southeastern third of southern New England overnight. Some dense fog may again occur over Nantucket. Previous discussion... The localized severe weather and flash flood risk will linger into the early evening across the interior, but convection is expected to weaken as it approaches the coast as it moves into a less favorable environment. However, there is still marginal instability so can`t rule out an isolated t-storm in the coastal plain through midnight, otherwise dry overnight. Stratus and fog will redevelop over Cape/Islands and south coast and advect northward. But stratus should be confined to RI and SE MA. Lows 65-70. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... Wednesday... Another shortwave will be moving across New Eng during the afternoon. Weak cold front which moves through overnight will likely stall in the coastal plain during the day. Lower PWATs move into northern northern MA where mixing may drop dewpoints in the upper 50s and lower 60s. However, higher PWATs near the coast will support marginal instability for the possibility of a few pop-up showers and perhaps and isolated t-storm? developing in the afternoon, mainly across CT, RI and SE MA where higher dewpoints 65-70. Otherwise, dry weather expected. Another very warm day with highs 85-90, but less humid interior where drier aloft moves in, but still humid near the coast. Wednesday night... Mid level shortwave moves to the east with weak subsidence developing across SNE leading to dry weather. The weak front slides to the south with light north winds developing. A bit less humid with lows mid/upper 60s, with upper 50s and lower 60s NW MA. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Highlights... * Showers & thunderstorms likely Friday * Dry and less humid Sunday and Monday Thursday through Saturday... A low pressure trough moves from the eastern Great Lakes to northern New England Thursday through Saturday and weakens. At the surface, low pressure stretching from Lake Erie to DelMarVa slowly progresses eastward across southern New England. On Thursday, partly to mostly sunny skies are expected with highs in the mid 80s. Can`t rule out a few afternoon showers, mainly in western MA or northern CT. Dewpoints increase Thursday night and by Friday, we are back in soupy conditions with dewpoints within a few degrees of 70. As low pressure approaches, showers and thunderstorms are likely, especially in western and central portions of southern New England. The 0-6km bulk shear values reach 40 kt, so there is a chance of strong wind gusts with some of the stronger storms. Also, torrential downpours will again be possible, so isolated flooding would be a renewed concern. The chances diminish overnight Friday night, but with surface low pressure still in the vicinity Saturday, there could still be scattered showers or thunderstorms around. Most of Saturday will be dry, however. Highs both Friday and Saturday should be in the lower to mid 80s. Sunday and Monday... High pressure moves into the region and air dries out throughout the column. Finally, precipitable water values drop well below an inch. It will be noticeably drier, with dewpoints in the lower to mid 60s both days. Expecting mainly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80s Sunday and mid to upper 80s Monday. && .AVIATION /03Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Forecast Confidence Levels: Low - less than 30 percent. Moderate - 30 to 60 percent. High - greater than 60 percent. Tonight...Moderate confidence. Scattered showers/thunderstorms in eastern NY will move into western MA and northwest CT then diminish by 05Z. IFR-LIFR stratus and patchy fog Cape/Islands and south coast, with stratus lifting north to I-95 corridor overnight. Light SSW winds shifting to W-NW throughout the region by daybreak. May have some MVFR ceilings around 1500-2000 ft in CT River Valley eastward to Worcester overnight, per latest model trends. Wednesday...High confidence. Mainly VFR. A few pop-up showers possible south of the Mass Pike. W/SW winds up to 10 kt. Wednesday night...High confidence. Mainly VFR. KBOS TAF...Moderate confidence. KBOS will be right on the dividing line between VFR to the north and IFR/LIFR ceilings to the south overnight. For now have mentioned SCT015 with more widespread lower cigs remaining to the south. Will need to keep a close eye on this. VFR Wed. Have kept the sea-breeze out of the TAF for now, but this will need to be re-evaluated. KBDL TAF...Moderate confidence. Mainly VFR overnight with a touch of MVFR visibility in fog possible late. VFR Wed. Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/... Wednesday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. Thursday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA, isolated TSRA. Thursday Night: VFR. Chance SHRA, isolated TSRA. Friday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Chance SHRA, isolated TSRA. Friday Night: VFR. Chance SHRA, isolated TSRA. Saturday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. && .MARINE... Forecaster Confidence Levels: Low - less than 30 percent. Medium - 30 to 60 percent. High - greater than 60 percent. 755 PM update... Through Wednesday night...High confidence. Fairly tranquil conditions over the waters with mainly SW winds up to 15 kt and seas below SCA. Areas of poor visibility in fog tonight and Wed morning. Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/... Wednesday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft. Slight chance of rain showers, isolated thunderstorms. Thursday: Winds less than 25 kt. Slight chance of rain showers, isolated thunderstorms. Thursday Night through Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Chance of rain showers, isolated thunderstorms. Friday Night through Saturday: Winds less than 25 kt. Slight chance of rain showers, isolated thunderstorms. && .BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CT...None. MA...Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT Wednesday night for MAZ002>004-008>012. RI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...KJC/GAF NEAR TERM...Belk/KJC/GAF SHORT TERM...KJC LONG TERM...GAF AVIATION...Belk/KJC/GAF MARINE...KJC/GAF
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1032 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A building ridge from the west will provide drier than normal conditions as well as warming temperatures. Moisture will then start to return late week as the ridge weakens, shifting the pattern back to typical summertime temperatures and diurnal showers and thunderstorms. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 7 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/... We continue to monitor the MCS and associated MCV moving into eastern TN and northern GA. Regional radars do show a weakening trend, especially over northern GA, but some thunderstorm activity still remains over eastern TN. As this system moves into the central Appalachians and eventually east of the mountains late tonight, we still can not rule some shower activity make into the Piedmont. Any rainfall should be light if it makes it into the western cwa. However at this time we continue to keep the forecast overnight dry with the expectation that the activity dissipates before making into the forecast area. Surface moisture will remain fairly high and will prevent much cooling, with similar lows falling into the low and mid 70s. && .SHORT TERM /7 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... General consensus among model guidance over the last couple runs is the ridge that will build over the area will not be quite as strong with heights still above average. This weaker ridge will mean that temperatures will not be quite as hot, close to seasonal average with highs in the low to mid 90s with increased clouds but also will make our area more susceptible to shortwaves along the weaknesses in the ridge as well as any mesoscale convective systems that develop upstream. PWATs are expected to increase across the area, with the HREF indicating PWATs nearing 2 inches in the southeast portion of the forecast area. With this deeper moisture and lift provided by the shortwave, scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon, especially across the northeast portion of the forecast, although instability will likely be a bit more limited with warming aloft. Increasing deep layer shear may be able to provide a bit more organization to any storms that develop but still with weak lapse rates, severe threat remains low. Low temperatures will be in the mid 70s. A similar pattern is expected Thursday with upper ridging still centered to the west of the forecast area and NW flow continuing. Temperatures will be similar to Wednesday with highs in the mid 90s, although dew points will be a bit higher. Will once again have to watch the development of any mesoscale convective systems upstream as they move towards the area. Instability will likely be more favorable as mid level lapse rates steepen a bit and with deep layer shear around 30 knots, multi-cell storms are possible with a few storms potentially becoming strong to severe, producing damaging wind gusts. SPC has placed the area in a slight risk, although there is some uncertainty as to the timing of storm initiation, with the earlier morning development, the lower the severe threat. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Ensemble trends have kept the ridge relatively strong into Friday as NAEFS indicate that 850mb heights remain above the 90th percentile. As a result, blended guidance has trended a bit warmer with ensemble means indicating zonal flow developing. Forcing will likely be weaker, leading to shower and storm chances more diurnally driven, allowing for temperatures to rise into the mid afternoon before storms develop. Beyond Friday, ensemble members are consistent in flipping the pattern with general troughing over the eastern US as the NAEFS indicate heights fall to below the 10th percentile. Temperatures will drop to below average in response. GEFS has the highest probability of PWATs greater than 2 inches in the southeast forecast area which will support at least diurnally driven convection each afternoon with forcing along the sea breeze and shortwaves pivoting through the axis of the upper trough. && .AVIATION /03Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Surface VSBYs in smoke/haze have improved this evening to VFR as winds turned more southerly. At 02z, MVFR VSBY restrictions continue across central GA, just west of AGS/DNL. As low level flow becomes more SW later tonight, this area of smoke could advect into DNL/AGS, per latest HRRR smoke model. The HRRR/RAP smoke model also indicates the area of smoke to drift east into the remainder of the forecast area Wednesday morning, then shift south of the TAF sites by afternoon. In addition, with westerly surface winds increasing by Wednesday afternoon, associated turbulent mixing could also act to keep VSBYs VFR. So, indicated high end MVFR VSBYs in HZ at DNL/AGS late tonight, and at all sites Wednesday morning, returning to VFR by 18z. Otherwise, fair tonight. Area of convection well to our NW is expected to continue dissipating as it moves SE into a drier and more stable atmosphere. Fog/Stratus threat tonight minimal due to SW surface and boundary layer wind staying up some ahead of an approaching trough, along with increasing mid/high level cloud cover from the dissipating convection to our NW. A slight moistening of the atmosphere Wednesday, along with an approaching upper disturbance, may provide some thunderstorm potential by late Wednesday afternoon and evening. At this time, confidence of such affecting the TAF sites too limited to include a TS mention in the 00Z TAFs. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Increasing probabilities of diurnal thunderstorms and late night/early morning fog/stratus through Sunday. Smoke/Haze from distant wildfires may continue to reduce flight VSBYS and possibly affect surface VSBYs at times. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
258 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This afternoon through Thursday) Issued at 245 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Not many changes to the previous forecast through late this evening. Current KCYS radar loop shows mostly light rain showers across the area (probably not reaching the ground) with a band of heavier showers and thunderstorms extending along a line from near Casper southeast to Torrington. Thankfully, instability is not as great as the previous days with MLCAPE between 200 to 500 j/kg west of the Wyoming/Nebraska border. Further east, MLCAPE is much higher (closer to 1500 to 2000 j/kg) but significant amount of CIN persists across the western Nebraska panhandle, which may take some time to erode. Currently watching a decent thunderstorm cell just east of the Black Hills and pushing south towards Chadron. Extended POP further north towards the South Dakota border. Even though CAPE further west is on the low side, there is a decent potential for strong gusty winds with any of these thunderstorms as they slide off the mountains. Kept severe thunderstorm wording in the forecast along and mainly east of the Interstate 25 corridor. Can`t rule out some large hail too, but this should be very isolated. Further south, some drier air has penetrated eastward towards the southern Nebraska Panhandle, with dewpoints dropping into the 40s from Rawlins to Cheyenne. Kept lower POP in these area for now, but expect activity to gradually increase in coverage later this afternoon and this evening, but not expecting coverage about widely scattered for now. With more cloud cover expected tonight, especially near the Colorado border, increase low temperatures a few degrees since some locations last night struggled to get into the mid to upper 60s by sunrise this morning. Cooling trend starts on Wednesday with highs mainly in the low to mid 80s. Models show a backdoor cold front pushing south across the plains and stalling near the mountains around noon. Thermodynamic profiles should be less unstable due to the cooler air near the surface. However, the front is expected to stall near the Laramie Range and expect this region to be the focus of daytime and evening convection. Kept a solid chance of precipitation (30 to 50 percent) mainly for the I-80 corridor and more focused on southeast Wyoming through Wednesday evening for scattered showers and thunderstorms. At this time, thunderstorms are not expected to be severe but a few stronger storms are possible. For Thursday, models continue to show a potent Pacific shortwave trough quickly moving east across the northern Great Basin region late on Wednesday and into the northern Front Range by midday Thursday. This upper level trough is currently near the California coastline based on 7.3um Watervapor imagery...and is expected to ejecting northeast over the top of the strong upper level high to the south. Models have trended more aggressive with precipitation amounts each day, both in intensity and amounts, so decided to increase POP to categorical (80% to 95%) for widespread Rain showers and scattered/embedded thunderstorms through Thursday and into Thursday evening. In addition to this, we will still be behind the primary cool front, forecast to push through the area on Wednesday, with deep east to southeast flow ahead of the trough, and northerly winds on the backside of the system. Impressive PW`s, even for this time of the year, with values over an inch and approaching 1.5 inches across the eastern plains. Upslope flow and deep moisture will likely lead to dewpoints in the 60s to possibly mid 60s further east. Depending on the timing, some strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, especially along the I-80 corridor near Laramie, Cheyenne and points east with some morning sun and surface heating. 18z HRRR shows multiple bands of heavy showers through the day, especially south of a line from Douglas to the Pine Ridge in the northern Nebraska Panhandle. Will have to monitor the potential for excessive rainfall and some flash flooding, but we have some time for high res models to lock on to the timing and general location. This will likely be a decent rainfall producer for most locations through Thursday evening. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Tuesday) Issued at 229 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Showers and storms move out of the region Thursday evening before another chance for storms Friday. A warming trend is expected through the long term forecast, with several locations seeing 90s by early next week. Hot and dry weather is likely to start the work week. A stout 500mb, 594dm ridge builds over the southwestern CONUS late in the week, with the ridge axis located from northern Idaho south into the Great Basin on Friday. Northwest flow aloft moves over the region behind a departing upper-level shortwave that will produce widespread showers and thunderstorms Thursday. Several 500mb vorticity maximums, along with modest cyclonic vorticity advection, are progged to traverse through the eastern side of the ridge and provide synoptic lift across the CWA. Additionally, a weak jet maximum develops over the Great Plains, placing the CWA in a favorable location for additional synoptic lift generated by this jet maximum. Warm, moist, southerly flow shifts more easterly during the day Friday and allows for upslope flow to develop east of the Laramie Range. While lift does not appear to be much of an issue for storm development on Friday, SBCAPE is modest only around 500 J/kg. Long range models have been trending down in CAPE values for Friday. Bulk shear values remain good, around 50kt in eastern Wyoming with pockets of 45kt bulk shear is western Nebraska. PW values are progged to sit around 0.70 to 0.80in over western Nebraska, with similar values expected over southeast Wyoming. Friday is looking less impressive than previous days. The shear, moisture, and lift should be enough to get storms to initiate, but the limited CAPE values that are likely to be capped may be a limiting factor. Model trends will continue to be monitored to determine if CAPE improves and allows for better chances of severe weather. As of now, the environment looks good enough to get storms to develop, but whether or not they will be severe remains uncertain. Precipitation chances taper off rapidly for Saturday and the remaining portions of the long term. The stout upper-level ridge moves easterly towards the CWA. By Sunday, the upper-level ridge axis is positioned over western Montana south through Idaho and far western Wyoming. This ridge continues to move slowly easterly and builds into the early portions of next week. By Monday, the 500mb ridge is progged to be at 597dm. Temperatures for Monday and Tuesday are expected to be significantly warmer as the ridge moves over and subsidence settles over the region. Several locations will see low- to mid-90s for highs on Monday, with portions of western Nebraska potentially seeing highs approaching 100F by Tuesday. This is still a ways out, but with a stronger ridge overhead than what was seen this week these temperatures are not completely impossible. Trends will continue to be watched to determine if temperatures should be decrease or increased based on how well the models agree on the maximum strength of the ridge. Overall, this weekend looks to be warm and dry with a hot and dry start to the work week. On a final note, the GFS, ECMWF, and GEFS all hint at the development of the monsoon by next week. High pressure remains fixed in place over the Four Corners region with a strong 500mb ridge overhead with a closed contour high over the same region. Additionally, PW are slowly increasing over Mexico and begin to push northerly towards the CWA early next week. This could suggest the development of the monsoon, but these trends will need to continue to be monitored. Some of the longer range models have suggested the development of the monsoon for a while now, but is has not come to fruition. However, with several models recently coming into better agreement on this, trends will need to be monitored. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon) Issued at 1142 AM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 The main concern with this TAF issuance is the timing of the convection this afternoon and location. Latest satellite/radar showing a cluster of showers developing between Rawlins and Wamsutter. These showers will continue to push east through the remainder of the afternoon. Would not be surprised that these showers advance as far east as KLAR and KCYS by mid afternoon. With such dry conditions in place, these showers may produce some gusty winds up to 50 mph. Another area of concern that we are watching is the convection developing over the Black Hills. These thunderstorms may track southeast and perhaps clip KCDR later this afternoon. Otherwise, ceilings should mostly stay above VFR through the next 24hrs with wind speeds && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 143 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Minimal fire weather concerns for the rest of the week with a high chance for widespread wetting rainfall Wednesday night through late Thursday. Another relatively dry day today, but precipitation chances will increase through the afternoon and this evening. Minimum relative humidities may briefly dip down to the mid teens this afternoon before increasing rapidly by late this evening. Cooling trend expected to begin on Wednesday as a Canadian cool front pushes southward across the high plains. This will set the stage for a rainy and cool Thursday with cooler than average conditions likely extending into Friday. && .CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WY...None. NE...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...TJT LONG TERM...AM AVIATION...REC FIRE WEATHER...TJT
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
930 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 930 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Other than lingering (widely scattered) showers in our east thunderstorm activity has struggled to initiate or track into our CWA, with isolated stronger storms remaining rooted along instability axis to our west ahead of the approaching frontal zone. With sunset we are going to see a trend away from the highest impacts. The elevated instability axis does "eventually" progress over our CWA (1000-1800 J/KG overnight according to the RAP), and deep layer shear will remain high (though 0-3km shear is now weaker). The lack of 850MB jet to organize activity amd the isolated nature of the current activity (no clustering up to develop outflow/cold pools) lowers confidence in overnight coverage of even showers/thunderstorms regardless of severe threat. There is still a subtle shortwave that is moving our our area but this may only be enough to continue to support scattered shower development overnight and isolated thunderstorms. We aren`t out of the woods completely on severe potential in our west this evening, but impacts and coverage potential may be decreasing (becoming more isolated and marginal). In that case 60mph winds and 1 inch hail may be the more likely threats for stronger storms over the next 3hr in our area if they develop or move this far east. UPDATE Issued at 657 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 We continue to monitor upstream of our CWA and along our western counties for possible initiation/severe thunderstorm development over the next 1-3hr. Steep mid level lapse rates (7.0-7.5 C/km) are confined to the southern RRV and locations southwest, while a narrow axis of 1500-2500 J/KG MLCAPE is just west of our CWA behind the mid level clouds and ahead of a frontal zone/well defined wind shift. This axis is where destabilization was maximized during peak heating due to better clearing and BL Tds pooling (60-68). Strong CAP delayed initiation, though there had been some indications of the CAP weakening within the previous hour to our southwest within more agitated CU field. Due to the narrow axis of higher ML CAPE and limited window there is still uncertainty on severe coverage but due to the very high effective shear (40kt+) orthogonal to the frontal zone along this axis where better mid level lapse rates are, elevated supercell development and very large hail are still threats if storms can initiate. HRRR continues to be a drier model, while earlier CAMs may have been too robust with initiation. We are in the window though and rapid intensification could take place if storms were to initiation along that axis to our west. Enough cells merging within that high shear (0-3km shear 30kt+) environment/developing cold pools could carry a localized wind risk as well, but with the window for non elevated parcels shrinking the tornado threat may be less. If initiation is delayed until sunset (or after),elevated marginal pulse type convection becoming favored. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday night) Issued at 230 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Situation in the short term remains with a window for severe thunderstorm potential with the passage of a surface trough/frontal boundary across the forecast area tonight. Main upper low is currently crossing Saskatchewan and is expected to travel southeastward across the RRV Wednesday. Have some areas of showers across the far northeast in the WAA nose of this system, stretching back into southern Manitoba/far north central ND. Back to the west a weakly developing sfc low across western ND and associated cool front/surface trough stretching southward through west central/southwestern ND. This trough/boundary is expected to push eastward and into central ND, just west of the forecast area by late afternoon. CAPE has been increasing across central/western ND with some CIN still in place, with low level moisture increasing across the area shown by dewpoints into the low/mid 60s along/ahead of the boundary. Convective initiation expected to be reached toward late afternoon as the stronger axis of instability moves east and sfc inhibition erodes. This axis of instability will continue to push east nosing into eastern ND by early evening, with the gradient of CAPE expected to be oriented from near Devils Lake southeastward into Ransom/Sargent/Richland Counties southward. Therefore expect a window of severe threat from around late afternoon/early evening through the evening hours as activity is expected to develop by late afternoon just to the west of the forecast area and track east/southeast. Instability will quickly wane into the central/eastern portion of the forecast area, so could still see some thunder continue overnight the overall severe threat will diminish. Deep layer shear in the 45-50kt range with the storms, so organized sustained storms expected with general movement to the south and east based of the mean wind. Directional shear showing decent turning, so any storm that can stay near the boundary will have a greater tornadic potential, but will likely shift more toward the hail/wind threat away from the boundary and with any cluster development. With the more easterly boundary movement, and southeasterly storm motion could see storms merge into a cluster, and then expected to travel more southeastward into northeast SD along the instability gradient by late evening. Expect to see an area of showers/isolated storms push east into MN overnight, with additional thunderstorm threat with the passage of the upper low across the area Wednesday afternoon. Greater instability and position of the cold front should confine the threat to the eastern/southeastern portions of the forecast area. .LONG TERM...(Thursday through Tuesday) Issued at 230 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Will have continued northwest flow pattern across the area for the end of the week as upper ridging builds across the west. A few upper waves will keep some clouds around Thursday into Friday with a few showers still possible along the Canadian border Friday. Upper ridging to build eastward into the central US by early next week, with potential for additional precipitation chances over the weekend. Warmer air to move into the area by early next week with the upper ridging, and expect a return to hot temperatures by the middle of next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening) Issued at 657 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Smoke is still linger near the surface at KGFK resulting reductions in vis 4-6sm, however as the winds shift within the first part of the TAF period this should finally clear. Aviation impacts over the next 24hr will then mainly be determined by coverage and track of showers/thunderstorms, and there should be better coverage for a 2-3hr period late this evening/early overnight (west to east across eastern ND and northwest MN) followed by a lull, then additional shower/embedded thunderstorm redevelopment along/north of Highway 2 corridor Wednesday (midday- afternoon). I fine tuned timing as a best guess as current activity and expected development so far has not been well handled by guidance this afternoon/evening. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...DJR SHORT TERM...MJB LONG TERM...MJB AVIATION...DJR
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1037 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 1030 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Updated the forecast to address two areas of concern: - Decreased areal coverage of PoPs overnight as convection to the west is weakening with time and as it tries to shift east. Strong storms appear unlikely, so removed mention in the HWO. - Increased the areal coverage of fog late tonight and into Wednesday morning, and also added some "dense" wording. Details: Latest sat/rad trends, along with trends from HRRR and other guidance, leads me to believe convection shouldn`t be much of a concern overnight. Activity in W Neb. has steadily weakened with time and eastward extent, and see no reason this trend shouldn`t continue. Another area of convection along the SD/NE border has maintained some vigor beyond 03Z, but this activity is moving into incr warm mid level temps (12-14C at H7) and CINH, and there isn`t much of a low level jet to help sustain ascent. Thus, seems unlikely activity will be able to survive to or much past the Hwy 91 corridor. As for fog potential, observational and model trends suggest dense fog may be incr concern for at least portions of the forecast area late tonight until mid AM Wed. Latest obs show T-Td spreads are already less than 4-5 deg for most locations amidst partly cloudy skies. Sat trends show off and on clouds should push through the area overnight, but seems unlikely mid to high cld cover will be solid. Also, LXN and HDE have already dropped to the 4-5sm range. Basic fog forecasting techniques and synoptic setup also favor dense fog tonight. What little wind we do have is largely Erly, which is a broad, gentle upslope component for us. Also, crossover temps from yest aftn are only 68-72F, which air temps are already at, or in the case of HDE, below as of 03Z. Another 2-4+ deg of cooling shouldn`t be an issue as latest NBM guidance drops lows into mid to upper 60s by dawn. Finally, HRRR and LAMP guidance have trended more pessimistic with visibilities, as well. Overall, confidence is incr that at least W third to half of CWA will need a Dense Fog Advy, so incr the coverage and dense wording in the grids and HWO as a start, and will pass along concerns to incoming mid-shift. && .DISCUSSION...(This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 508 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 -- KEY MESSAGES FOR THE ENTIRE 7-DAY FORECAST (generally chronological): * Thunderstorm potential tonight: Although at least for now most of our coverage area (CWA) is still in an SPC Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe storms this evening-overnight, feeling here locally is that the main threat for severe activity should remain at least slightly to our west-northwest. Certainly cannot rule out a few stronger storms and MAYBE a rogue severe storm, but have generally downplayed a severe threat in our Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWOGID). * Thunderstorms (some probably severe) more likely Wednesday: Although it is difficult to completely rule out at least spotty/weak storms at almost any point Wednesday into at least the first part of Wednesday night, by far our main concern at this point is the 3-11 PM time frame, as a weak cold front sags southward into a moderately unstable and strongly-sheared environment. SPC has "upgraded" our entire CWA to a Slight Risk (level 2) of severe, which seems fairly reasonable. The main questions at this point are storm coverage/mode, but current thinking is for a few to perhaps several supercells developing north or near I-80 and perhaps growing upscale into more of a convective complex as they track south-southeastward toward/into our KS zones. Large hail (to at least golf ball size) the overall-biggest concern at this point. * Thursday afternoon-evening storm potential: Although still plenty of uncertainty at this 48-60 hour time frame, SPC officially has parts of our KS zones in a Marginal Risk of severe. Models are still a bit of a "split story" though, and if especially the latest NAM is onto anything then the MAIN severe risk could focus almost entirely southwest of our CWA altogether. * Friday-Tuesday overview: Although some still-highly-uncertain thunderstorm chances linger Fri-Fri night, at least for now, our official forecast remains void of any mentionable (15+ percent) rain/thunderstorm chances Sat-Tues as upper ridging expands east-northeastward over the Central Plains. While raw model data suggests this current dry forecast may eventually be "ruined" at times by some slight chances, the overall trend toward drier and warmer weather remains intact. That being said, just HOW WARM it gets early next week remains somewhat in question, as our high temperature forecast for Sun-Mon has trended down very slightly from before. -- MORE DETAILS/FURTHER INFO BUILDING UPON THE KEY MESSAGES ABOVE (including all further discussion of Thursday daytime-Tuesday): - General overview of the large scale upper air/surface pattern: Not a lot of time to dive into this section today, but generally breaking the 7-day into two chunks: 1) Tonight-Friday: The overall pattern we are currently in remains overall-similar, meaning continued off-and-on thunderstorm chances and cooler- than-average July temperatures. Aloft, we remain under seasonably- strong west-northwest flow aloft, between expansive upper ridging centered over the Desert Southwest/TX and a persistent large scale trough centered from around the Great Lakes northward into Canada. High temperatures Wed-Fri mainly only low- mid 80s (except warmer south Wed), and once a weak cold front passes through Wed night dewpoints will fall back down to no more than upper 50s-mid 60s for a few days, making for less humid/more comfortable conditions. 2) Saturday-Tuesday: The latest ECMWF/GFS continue to agree that the biggest change from the current pattern is that large-scale ridging will build northward across the western CONUS, turning our flow aloft more north-northwesterly than west-northwesterly. Mid level heights will also rise over our region, but we will still remain east- northeast of the heart of the ridge generally setting up over the Four Corners area. As already mentioned above, do not necessarily think our currently dry forecast for Sat-Tues will hold as some of those days/nights get closer in time (there will still be some weak/subtle disturbances working through the flow aloft), but overall it should be a drier pattern, and confidence is higher that it will be a warmer one. The main question is HOW much warmer? For what it`s worth, our latest forecast has trended similarly to latest ECMWF ensemble guidance and tempered highs SLIGHTLY for the Sun-Tues time frame, but we are still looking at highs more solidly into the low-mid 90s during this time. Fortunately, it currently appears that dewpoints/humidity levels should not get overly-high, which should keep heat index readings mainly at least slightly under 100 degrees. -- SHORTER TERM DETAILS FOCUSED SOLELY ON THESE NEXT 36 HOURS (through late Wed night/Thurs AM): - CURRENT/RECENT WEATHER SCENE AS OF 430 PM: The daytime hours started with a few strong to marginally-severe storms in our northern zones (quarter size hail confirmed in Ord), but as was expected this elevated activity pushed off to the east by mid- morning and it`s been dry ever since. The main forecast "headache" today has been temperature trends, largely due to variable cloud cover. While a more expansive deck of lower clouds (and even some fog) that existed in our southwestern CWA earlier today has largely dissipated/lifted, plentiful mainly mid- high level clouds have continue streaming overhead from west-to- east. If anything, dewpoints have also crept up a bit higher than forecast, with most sights solidly into that "quite humid" upper 60s-low 70s range. Despite the clouds, most of the CWA should end up reaching official highs somewhere between 79-86 degrees. Winds this afternoon are generally 5-10 MPH out of the east-southeast most areas. - THIS EVENING-OVERNIGHT: Although a severe storm is ongoing at this time in far northwest Nebraska, have maintained a dry/thunderstorm-free forecast CWA- wide through 10 PM/03Z. Mid level temps are quite warm over our CWA (13-17C at 700 millibar level), which should effectively keep us capped to any near-surface based development through early evening. Although any more intense storms to our northwest obviously bear close watching to make sure they don`t maintain intensity if they survive into our western counties, agree with general HRRR trends that activity should largely weaken as it approaches our western edges closer to sunset. As for the post-10PM time frame, did maintain some basic slight chances (20 percent) for storms to eventually include all but the far eastern CWA overnight, as higher-res models hint at generally weak "junky" showers/non-severe storms drifting from west to east. Due to lower level capping, feel that most of this activity should be very high based closer to 700 millibars/10K ft.), and thus only able to tap into a few hundred J/kg of elevated instability. So while cannot completely rule out a strong to marginally severe storm mainly pre-midnight (IF anything to our northwest maintains intensity into our area), expect MOST overnight storms to be weakish. In other departments, introduced some generic "patchy fog" to mainly west-northwest zones very late tonight/early Wed AM. Am not overly-concerned with dense fog given passing mid-upper level clouds, will probably have to watch especially the Dawson County area for possible fog issues given the light breezes/high dewpoints/humidity. Overnight low temps were changed very little aimed mid 60s most Neb zones, upper 60s KS. - WEDNESDAY DAYTIME-EVENING: Certainly our main concern is what appears to be a decent setup for at least a few (if not several) severe storms especially in the 3-11 PM time frame. For the first several hours of the day, did expand slight PoPs to the entire CWA, as especially higher- res models continue to hint that weak "junky" high-based convection could continue right on from the overnight period. But then, at some point mid-late afternoon as the low-level airmass destabilizes and a weak cold front arrives into our northern zones, at least a few to perhaps several strong to severe, likely supercellular storms could erupt, in an environment characterized by generally 2000-3000 J/kg mixed-layer CAPE and continued seasonably-strong deep layer wind shear of 40-50+ KT. The latest HRRR suggest supercells could congeal into more of a complex as they track south-southeast toward and into our KS zones, and this seems reasonable. If anything, our PoPs are probably not high enough in some areas, but hopefully next few shifts can refine. Large hail to at least golf ball size seems like a good bet with the most intense storms (note SPC has introduced a "hatched area" for hail on Day 2 outlook), but damaging winds certainly in play too. Not overly concerned about a tornado threat, but it`s non- zero. Current thinking is main severe threat likely exiting our CWA to the south by around 11 PM. In other areas, made little change to high temps, with most places topping out 83-89 but a few 90s possible mainly KS and Furnas County area. - LATER WED NIGHT-EARLY THURS AM: Although later forecasts can probably trim some of the area back, at least for now maintained slight PoPs as far north as I-80 for anything lingering north of the main zone of activity earlier in the evening. However, latest model trends suggest at least the vast majority of the CWA is probably dry post-midnight. Although not in the current forecast, will probably need to watch for more late-night fog potential, although light winds trending north- northwesterly should mitigate as drier air slowly works southward behind the boundary. Did nudge up low temps very slightly, ranging from low 60s north to mid-upper 60s south. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 00Z Thursday) Issued at 650 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Significant weather: MVFR CIGs/VSBYs possible early Wed AM. Scat tstms possible late in the period. Tonight: Quiet to start with only some mid to high clds and fairly light E-ESE wind. Late tonight, lgt and vrbl winds, plentiful low level moisture, and weak return flow could lead to some low stratus and/or lgt fog. Currently looks like best chc for sub-VFR CIGs and/or VSBYs is off to the W of the terminals, but there`s at least some model guidance to support a chc at GRI and esp. EAR. Kept 6sm and SCT stratus deck for now, but wouldn`t be shocked if a few hrs of MVFR VSBYs and perhaps even IFR CIGs sneak in between 11Z and 14Z. Confidence: CIG/VSBY - low, Wind - high. Wednesday: Once any threat for stratus/fog burns off by 14-15Z, expect quiet/VFR conditions and Srly sfc winds around 7-10kt through early aftn. A cold front will bring the potential for scat tstms beginning around 21Z at both terminals, some of which could be strong to severe. Based on latest timing, the greatest tstm threat should end by 03Z Thu - just beyond this valid TAF period. Confidence: Medium. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...NONE. KS...NONE. && $$ UPDATE...Thies DISCUSSION...Pfannkuch AVIATION...Thies
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
811 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .Mesoscale Update... Issued at 809 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Storms have pushed east of the watch area so Severe Thunderstorm Watch 511 has been cancelled early. Lingering showers and storms will continue for the next several hours before we see a lull in activity. More activity is expected to pick up overnight mainly across the southwestern CWA which is currently being handled with a flood watch. Issued at 600 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Leading line of convection is weakening over south-central Kentucky, but could still support a wind and marginal hail threat as the environment ahead of the line remains very moist and unstable. Mainly making adjustments to WW 511 over its final couple of hrs. Some concern about flash flooding, as the comma head of the MCV seems to be situated just east of Owensboro, and the potential is setting up for training cells on a WNW-ESE axis from there. That zone lies just north and east of our existing Flood Watch, so we`ll monitor the need to do an expansion of that headline during the early evening. && .Short Term...(This evening through Wednesday) Issued at 255 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Key Messages: - Severe storms with a significant wind threat through early evening - Heavy rain and flash flooding possible overnight in south-central Kentucky MCV is fueling a mature MCS that has crossed the Mississippi River into western Kentucky, and should continue to plow eastward into a ridiculously moist and unstable environment. With mixed-layer CAPE over 3000 J/kg, DCAPE up to 1200-1300 J/kg, and 40 kt of line-normal deep-layer shear, a significant wind threat is on the table with localized hurricane-force gusts possible. The above mentioned shear is also supporting a few supercells ahead of the line, so large hail is also in play and a tornado can`t be ruled out either. This line should push through rather quickly, clearing the I-65 corridor around 7 PM EDT and the I-75 corridor closer to 8-9 PM EDT. Once this system clears, we`ll have a break in the action during the latter part of the evening, with storms re-developing along a boundary paralleling I-24 after midnight. This action will lift far enough NE to get into south-central Kentucky, including Bowling Green, in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday. Training cells are a risk with the effective boundary nearly parallel to the NW flow aloft, and rain production will be quite efficient. Widespread 1-2 inch rain totals will be prevalent, with localized amounts of 3 to 5+ inches possible. WPC`s Moderate risk of excessive rainfall appears well placed, nosing into south-central Kentucky. A Flood Watch has been issued for this area until 15Z Wednesday, and while the heavy rain will most likely be suppressed into Tennessee by 12Z, flood impacts could linger for a few hrs. Low-confidence forecast for Wednesday as so much depends on the evolution of the second system tonight, which has yet to develop. Lingering clouds will create some temperature bust potential and could also fuel isolated to scattered storms. Think the better chances are Wednesday night, but really any thunderstorm in a juicy summer environment carries the standard pulse threats of locally gusty winds and heavy rain. One thing we are certain about is that it will remain warm and muggy. .Long Term...(Wednesday night through Tuesday) Issued at 330 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Messages: - Unstable pattern continues Wednesday night into Thursday with additional waves of showers and storms expected. Strong to severe storms are possible with heavy rainfall possibly producing localized flooding. - Transition to drier weather begins on Friday with lingering rain and a few storms possible. - Seasonable temperatures and mostly dry conditions expected for much of the weekend. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The first 36 hours of the extended forecast period will feature the most active weather as shortwave troughs continue to intermittently slide southeastward along the southern edge of large-scale troughing over the eastern half of North America. As these mid- and upper- level disturbances slide through the Midwest and Ohio Valley, waves of showers and thunderstorms will continue Wednesday night into Thursday across central KY and southern IN. With fast flow aloft for mid-summer, dynamic support should be sufficient for organized convection as these waves pass through. Thermodynamic support will bounce up and down as waves of convection temporarily stabilize the atmosphere, although things should quickly recover given the amount of moisture available and any insolation. Estimated timing on any one wave of storms is difficult to predict, and hi-res guidance will likely continue to struggle until antecedent waves of storms begin to fire. From an ingredients perspective, Thursday has considerable potential for strong to severe storms as short-to-medium range progs depict several thousand joules of CAPE with 35-45 kt of effective shear. Drier air in the mid-levels would increase the potential for gusty winds in any stronger storms with RAP soundings showing over 1200 J/kg DCAPE. In addition to the severe potential, locations which experience multiple rounds of heavy rainfall could see flash flooding issues, although storms should generally be fairly progressive with stronger flow aloft. As we head into the day on Friday, latest model guidance has slowed the progression of drier air into the region, and a final mid-level shortwave will attempt to swing across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys Friday morning. Have increased PoPs farther north on Friday, though the best chance for any lingering showers and storms will still be across south central KY where the better moisture will reside. A final sfc frontal boundary will move through the area on Friday, with drier air and lower PWATs helping to bring rain chances to an end as we head into the upcoming weekend. Much of the upcoming weekend looks dry with slightly below normal temperatures expected Saturday and Sunday. As the large scale trough deamplifies over the eastern CONUS early next week, temperatures should be on the upswing once again as height increases promote a return to a more typical summertime pattern. At this time, more typical daytime shower and thunderstorm chances should return for the first half of next week, with temperatures expected to be around climatological norms for late July. && .Aviation...(00Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 712 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Showers and storms are slowly pushing off to the east of the region this evening and should give way to a lull in precipitation activity for at least the first part of the overnight hours. Another round of heavy rain and storms is expected to develop after midnight, mainly across western KY into southern KY and middle TN. Latest trends have taken this line of showers/storms a bit farther south than afternoon forecasts, so have trended things a little better for the TAFs but will continue to watch closely. Otherwise, IFR to MVFR stratus is expected to develop toward dawn tomorrow and persist through a good part of the morning hours. This should lift to VFR levels by the afternoon. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for KYZ026-027-061-062- 070>073. IN...None. && $$ Mesoscale...DM Short Term...RAS Long Term...CSG Aviation...DM
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
846 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 846 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Going forecast is in good shape this evening, and only minor adjustment made was to lower overnight min temps slightly in a couple of our typically cooler spots west of the Chicago area. Evening surface analysis places weak high pressure over northwest IL. Dry and quiet conditions are expected overnight as the surface high drifts slowly to the east-southeast. Mainly clear skies are expected into the overnight hours (other than a little high-level wildfire smoke above about 700 mb per HRRR cross sections), though some increase in high cirrus is possible into Wednesday morning off of convection well upstream across MN. Overnight lows will dip into the low-mid 50s in some inland cool spots, and the upper 50/low 60s into the metro. Dry and warmer weather persists Wednesday, though with perhaps a little more high cloud at times as warm advection develops into the Mississippi Valley. Ratzer && .SHORT TERM... Issued at 222 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Through Wednesday... Very little to speak on here in the short term. A couple of very light, isolated showers have managed to clip our far southern CWA early this afternoon, namely the southern portions of Livingston, Ford, Iroquois, and Benton counties. These showers developed on the northern flank of a rather robust storm system that`s bringing severe weather to far southern IL. As the system continues its trek southeastward, it will pull these showers out of the CWA likely before the evening rolls around. The diurnally-driven fair weather cumulus that we see overhead this afternoon will fizzle away through the evening leaving us with mostly clear skies tonight. Low temperatures early tomorrow morning should once again drop into the mid-upper 50s and lower 60s in and near the city. Tomorrow morning, the remnants of a storm system currently brewing up in Minnesota is expected to move over the CWA. The HRRR is consistently resolving a few morning showers north of I-80. However, it`s the only model that brings any precip through the area. The reason being the HRRR is notably more aggressive with the mid level moisture advection tomorrow morning than any other model. However, even if we were to saturate the mid levels like it`s suggesting we will, this plume of moisture will be moving into a region of higher pressure with little to no forcing at play. Plus, forecast soundings, including on the HRRR, have the low levels being so dry tomorrow morning that any precip that does manage to get stirred up aloft likely won`t make it to the surface. Rather, most soundings look more conducive of a bit of an uptick in mid level clouds during the morning. More fair weather cumulus can be expected to build into the afternoon tomorrow with highs forecast to reach the middle to possibly upper 80s. Doom && .LONG TERM... Issued at 312 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Wednesday night through Tuesday... The main focus through the next few days revolves around thunderstorm chances with a cold front late Wednesday night into Thursday afternoon, with some storms possibly becoming strong to severe. A strengthening mid-level wave within general WNW flow will rotate across the CWA during this time in association with a upper jet streak entering Iowa into western Illinois. While a severe thunderstorm risk exists late Thursday morning into mid- afternoon, potential will be conditional on timing, alignment of forcing, and sufficient low-level moisture. The juxtaposition of better forcing (far northern Illinois into Wisconsin) and minimal MLCIN (toward central IL and northwest IN), may allow for robust thunderstorm development along the cold front as far west as the I-55 corridor late in the morning. Surface dew points will be quite sensitive to initiation, with the difference between upper 60s or low 70s favoring little convection to scattered severe convection, respectively. Generally straight hodographs with decent deep layer shear would support strong winds and damaging hail with multicell clusters and/or splitting supercell behavior. Forecast refinements will be needed over the next couple days given these subtle differences in moisture and timing. A continued train of weaker shortwave troughs within a a deeper low over Hudson Bay will bring additional shower and storm chances through the weekend. The first wave will remain generally moisture- starved and pass during an unfavorably diurnal period late Friday night into Saturday, so will maintain just slight chance PoPs. Better moisture prospects will return Sunday into Monday and additional chances of showers and storms, especially Sunday afternoon and evening. Kluber && .AVIATION... For the 00Z TAFs... A lake breeze boundary continues to move inland from Lake Michigan and is now passing DPA. The northeast winds in its wake will diminish and turn more southeasterly toward or soon after sunset. Winds from mid evening through the overnight will generally be light and variable then increase modestly later Wednesday morning. Expect to see a more southeasterly direction Wednesday with the exception of GYY where a lake breeze will likely turn winds northeasterly. MDB && .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 Saint Louis MO
741 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SHORT TERM... (Through Late Wednesday Afternoon) Issued at 738 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Have issued a Flash Flood watch from 10 pm tonight to 7 am Wednesday morning for the southern CWA. Parts of Crawford, Reynolds, Iron, and Madison counties saw 1-2+ inches of rainfall earlier today which have partially lowered FFG in those areas. Latest runs of the RAP continued to show that a broad 30 knot low level jet will cause low level moisture convergence beneath the entrance region of a subtle upper jet streak late tonight. The CAMS including the HRRR have been consistently been developing training cells across southeast Missouri late this evening and overnight. The RAP forecast sounding at FAM after midnight is showing PWATS over 2" with deep warm cloud depths which will be conducive to very heavy rainfall rates. The 12 HREF LPMM and 18Z NAM Nest are showing isolated rainfall amounts of 3-5+ inches increasing the need for a watch. Britt .LONG TERM... (Thursday through Next Tuesday) Issued at 323 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Once again by Thursday afternoon, morning convection is expected to be east of the area, and the remainder of the day is likely to remain humid but largely free of convection thanks to continued convective inhibition. By the evening and overnight, a cold front is expected to slowly sink into the area, while another shortwave arrives from the west. Once again this shortwave may be accompanied by ongoing convection, which may impact the region during the overnight and early morning hours. Again, very little confidence exists regarding exactly which areas will be impacted and how significant it will be, but much like the previous night there will be a preference for areas along and south of I-70 and very near the advancing cold front. By Friday morning this cold front is likely to be south of the region, but there is enough uncertainty in its position that we have maintained some chances of showers and thunderstorms into the afternoon Friday along and south of I-70. More likely, though, is that this front will clear the area by the afternoon, bringing milder and drier conditions that will likely continue into Saturday. While the pattern is expected to remain largely static into the early next week, additional opportunities for showers will exist, albeit with a more limited potential for significant rain considering the overall reduction in quality moisture. BRC && .AVIATION... (For the 00z TAFs through 00z Wednesday Evening) Issued at 629 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Expect showers and thunderstorms to develop and affect COU, JEF, STL, CPS, and SUS late this evening and overnight. Any of these storms will be capable of reducing ceilings and visibilities to MVFR or possible IRF conditions in heavy rain at times. Also expect MVFR ceiling to move into these same airports after 06Z and remain through mid morning on Wednesday. Winds are expected to be mainly out of the east under 10 knot outside of thunderstorms. Britt && .LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MO...Flood Watch until 7 AM CDT Wednesday for Crawford MO-Iron MO- Madison MO-Reynolds MO-Saint Francois MO-Sainte Genevieve MO-Washington MO. IL...None. && $$ WFO LSX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
833 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 ...New UPDATE... .UPDATE... Issued at 820 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 A couple rounds of severe storms impacted the Mid-South earlier this afternoon into the evening resulting in wind damage across the region and widespread power outages in the Memphis metro. Storms have just about exited the region and the next few hours should be relatively quiet. The Mid-South continues to sit between a hot/humid airmass associated with the upper ridge to the SW of the region and the upper trough over the Great Lakes/NE US regions. As a result we will see bouts of heat along with chances for storms over the next couple of days. The latest CAMs do show convection developing once again across the western OH Valley later tonight. This activity will stay mostly north of the area through sunrise, perhaps affecting Henry County, before sagging into West TN near the TN River during the morning hours. Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings have been issued for Wednesday for the entire Mid-South. Recent rains will only serve to increase the humidity tomorrow. Avoid outdoor activities if possible tomorrow. .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 250 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 A complex of showers and thunderstorms will affect portions of the Mid-South mostly across portions of west Tennessee near the Tennessee River into this evening with a few strong to severe thunderstorms possible through early evening. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday and Thursday mainly north of I-40, then gradually spreading across the remainder of the Mid-South for Friday into Saturday as a weak cold front moves into the Lower Mississippi Valley. Very hot and humid conditions will persist ahead of the approaching cold front with heat index values ranging between 105 to 115 degrees on Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... (This evening through next Monday) Issued at 250 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 GOES-16 Satellite trends depict a mature Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) over portions of southeast Missouri and western Kentucky. KNQA/KPAH WSR-88D radar trends show the leading edge of convection over portions of the Missouri Bootheel and Northwest Tennessee gradually propagating east-southeast with time. Otherwise, a hot and humid airmass is in place across the Mid- South with surface temperatures mainly in the lower 90s with surface dewpoints in the 70s to lower 80s as low-level moisture pools ahead of a quasi-stationary boundary located along the I-70 corridor. Strong to severe thunderstorm and heat concerns remain the primary focus in this afternoon`s forecast issuance. The aforementioned MCS will continue to propagate east-southeast into the Tennessee Valley through this evening. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible along the southern periphery of this system for areas mainly north and east of a line from Blytheville, AR to Jackson and Savannah, TN. Surface-based CAPE values around 5000 J/kg, moderately-steep 700-500 mb layer mid- level lapse rates around 6.5 C/km, 0-6 km Bulk Shear values around 40 kts may support a strong to severe thunderstorm threat for the remainder of the afternoon into perhaps early evening. Damaging winds will be the primary threat for any thunderstorms that become severe. QPF values across portions of northwest Tennessee near the Tennessee River may receive 1 to 2 inches of rain through late tonight. Confidence is low that these areas will exceed Flash Flood guidance and subsequently held off on any flood watches for the time being. Elsewhere, the Heat Advisory and Excessive Heat Warning for areas around and southwest of Memphis along the Mississippi River will continue through early this evening. Lows tonight will remain quite warm this evening. A very hot and humid airmass is expected to build across the Mid-South on Wednesday as temperatures rise into the middle to upper 90s. These very hot temperatures combined with surface dewpoints pooling across the region will result in heat index values rising to between 105 to 115 degrees with the warmest readings occurring mostly along and west of the Mississippi River. An Excessive Heat Warning was issued for areas along and west of the Mississippi River and a Heat Advisory for the remainder of the forecast area from noon through 8 PM Wednesday. Additional showers and thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday and Thursday with the Latest mid to long range model solutions indicate the surface boundary will begin to move south into the Lower Mississippi Valley Friday into Saturday as mid-level heights weaken and a series of shortwaves move through the northwest flow aloft. This will bring a better chance for showers and thunderstorms for most of the forecast area. Cooler and slightly drier air will build in for late weekend into early next week. CJC && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 632 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Ongoing convection may cause intermittent gusty winds and temporarily reduce visibilities/ceilings for the next few hours at all sites except JBR where it has already passed. Otherwise, mostly VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the period. Throughout the overnight period, southerly winds should stay elevated enough around 10 kts to preclude any fog development. There may even be some LLWS from the southwest at JBR and MKL around 40 kts overnight. By mid morning tomorrow, another MCS is expected to eject over west TN. MKL is the only site with any confidence of impacts at the terminal. The HRRR is the farthest west CAM solution and just barely clips MKL, but trends over the last few days have proven guidance to be fairly unreliable with the locations of these MCSs so opted to include a PROB30 for TSRA at MKL tomorrow. MEM may experience some light precip on the outskirts of the MCS, thus warranting the VCSH tomorrow afternoon. Winds are expected to increase to 12-14 kts tomorrow afternoon with intermittent gusts up to 22 kts and shift more to the southwest. CAD && .MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...Excessive Heat Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for ARZ009-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058. MO...Excessive Heat Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for MOZ113-115. MS...Excessive Heat Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for MSZ001-007-008-010>012-020. Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for MSZ002>006-009- 013>017-021>024. TN...Excessive Heat Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for TNZ001-019-048-049-088. Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for TNZ002>004- 020>022-050>055-089>092. && $$ PUBLIC FORECAST...SJM AVIATION...CAD
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
849 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Troughing will strengthen to the west this week with high pressure offshore. Scattered thunderstorms are expected Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening, some of which have the potential to become severe. A cold front will then move into the area this weekend, but may stall over, or just offshore through early next week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/... As of 8 PM Tuesday...Hazy skies continue to be reported at many sites across ENC early this evening but HRRR smoke guidance shows improving conditions through the evening. Otherwise, a quiet night is in store with light SW winds persisting, which should limit fog development. Previous discussion...Have removed any mention of showers or storms for the rest of the evening and overnight period. The haze that has been hanging around all day will continue to clear out from W to E this evening. Benign conditions are expected with warm and muggy lows in the 70s region-wide. Light Variable winds this afternoon and evening will become predominantly SWerly overnight, although light, but should keep the lower levels mixed enough to get rid of any fog threat. Of course, sheltered areas may be shallow, patchy ditch fog. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM WEDNESDAY/... As of 1630 Tuesday...Mid and upper level troughing early Wed with the base of the upper level trough flattening out relative to how amplified it has been once the main shortwave travels just N of the FA early, turning flow aloft more zonal. In the afternoon, a midlevel shortwave traverses the FA. At the SFC, pressure gradient tightens between troughing inland and the high offshore leading to a strengthening SWerly breeze through the day. Two separate rounds of convection will be possible, starting in the early afternoon over the coast where showers and perhaps a few tstorms will develop along the seabreeze. Mid to late afternoon, in conjunction with the passage of the midlevel shortwave, storms are expected to blossom over the Coastal Plain propagating from W to E into and through the FA. With typical July instability and some midlevel support, some of these later storms have the potential to become severe with damaging winds being the greatest threat. With that said, should the skies remain clear through the morning and early afternoon, greater instability will develop which would increase the threat for hail development in the cells with the strongest updrafts. This will be dependent on how long debris clouds from a decaying MCV working toward the East Coast from lower Ohio River Valley overnight tonight will last into the morning. Highs will be highly dependent on the aforementioned cloud coverage, or lack thereof, and timing/coverage of rain. For now, have opted for the clearer solution early which will allow highs to reach into the mid 90s, highest HWY17 corridor, upper 80s-90 beaches where the seabreeze will provide some relief. With Tds in the mid 70s, heat indices will be in the 100-105 range. Highest heat indices will be coastal areas just ahead of the seabreeze where 105 is expected, but expecting these values to be relatively short lived so have opted to not go with heat advisory here. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 400 PM Tuesday... BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: Medium range guidance continues to suggest the return of unsettled conditions across the coastal Carolinas from mid- week into the weekend. It still appears likely that a front will move into/through the area this weekend, but this may not necessarily signal the end to the unsettled weather. Temperatures will be near to above normal through Friday, then trend back down closer to, or even below, normal over the upcoming weekend. FORECAST DETAILS The Midweek to Friday period continues to look like a good candidate for an above-climo coverage of convection, but there are notable caveats. The primary driver of the increased convective potential will be shortwaves/MCVs, embedded within a WNW flow pattern aloft, interacting with a moist and unstable airmass across the Carolinas. The CAPE/shear combination during this period is notable, but not strikingly concerning. That said, the potential is there for an increased risk of thunderstorm organization each day, with the coverage of convection highly dependent on the track of each MCV, and possibly augmented by any previous day/early morning convection. Those caveats lead to lower confidence regarding the severe weather threat. The key message during this period is that an increased risk of convection is anticipated during this timeframe, with at least some potential for strong to marginally severe thunderstorms. Temperatures during this period will also be highly dependent on storm coverage, but warm thicknesses and more of a SW or W surface flow should support above normal temps and heat indices of 100-105. The highest heat indices may actually be focused along our coastal areas where dewpoints will be highest. Due to uncertainties with convective coverage and how high the dewpoints will be, we`ll plan to hold off on any heat headlines for now. Over the weekend, medium range guidance continue to insist on a front moving into the area, but potentially stalling over, or just offshore. Meanwhile, a broad and anomalous trough is forecast to develop over the Eastern US, putting the coastal Southeast in a SW flow pattern aloft. This potentially sets the stage for continued unsettled weather as low-level waves ride along the stalled frontal boundary. If the front stalls offshore, the focus for precip would tend to be along the coast. If the front stalls closer to the coast or just inland, the risk of precip would extend further inland as well. For now, the key message over the weekend and into early next week is that "cooler" temps are expected, but not necessarily drier conditions. && .AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... SHORT TERM /through Wednesday/... As of 8 PM Tuesday...Hazy skies with MVFR vsbys continue to be reported at many sites across ENC early this evening but HRRR smoke guidance shows improving conditions through the evening. Otherwise VFR conditions will prevail through much of the TAF period. Light mixing is expected to continue overnight which will limit fog development. Some guidance is suggesting the possibility of light fog but believe it is contaminated by the reduced vsbys that prevailed much of the day today. Scattered showers and storms expected to develop Wednesday afternoon which could bring periods of sub-VFR conditions. SW wind gusts around 15-20 kt are also expected Wednesday afternoon. LONG TERM /Wednesday Night through Saturday/... As of 400 PM Tuesday...There will be an increased risk of TSRA mid to late week, along with an increased risk of sub-VFR conditions, across Eastern NC. This potential may extend into the upcoming weekend, but the forecast becomes less certain during that time. Outside of the TSRA potential, there will be periods of gusty winds Wednesday-Friday. && .MARINE... SHORT TERM /through Wednesday/... As of 830 PM Tuesday...High pressure offshore and diurnally strengthening thermal trough across the piedmont is bringing a typical summertime pattern of stronger winds during the late afternoon and evening hours with some late night and morning relaxing of the pressure gradients. As such, SW winds have increased to around 10-20 kt late this afternoon which are expected to persist until after midnight. Winds are then expected to diminish to around 10-15 kt through Wednesday morning before re-strengthening to 15-20 kt in the afternoon. Some gusts up to 25 kt are possible, but are not expected to be frequent or widespread enough to warrant SCAs. Seas currently around 2-3 ft are expected to build to 3-4 ft overnight and Wednesday. There is an underlying long period 1-2 ft 15sec swell impacting the waters with a 2-3 ft wind chop LONG TERM /Wednesday Night through Saturday/... As of 400 PM Tuesday...There may be some continued long period swell impacts from distant Tropical Storm "Don" this week, otherwise seas of 2-4 ft will be common through late week, with breezy southwesterly winds of 15-25kt. There`s some potential for near-SCA level winds mid-week, especially for portions of the central and southern coastal waters. Lastly, there will also be an increased risk of thunderstorms through at least Friday, and potentially lasting into the weekend as a weak cold front moves into the region. && .MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...MHX NEAR TERM...SK/TL/CEB SHORT TERM...RM/CEB LONG TERM...RM/JME AVIATION...RM/SK/CEB MARINE...RM/CEB/SK
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
905 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 905 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 01z Sfc analysis shows a convectively enhanced front running from about Mountain Home, Arkansas to Memphis. Persistent northwest flow is deepening lee surface troughing to our west as a jet max emerges off the northern Rockies. This system is expected to lead to a lower level response that will increase 850mb to surface flow over Arkansas over the southwest over the next few hours, leading to low level convergence and frontogenetic forcing that is expected to initiate thunderstorms as it moves northeast. 00z SGF and satellite derived sounding parameters show mid-level lapse rates around 7.2 C/km and MUCAPE for elevated parcels in SEMO remains about 3000 J/kg. As lower level moisture moves northeastward more of the region should become unstable, at least to elevated parcels and a flash flood threat is expected to emerge due to training convection. Still think the HRRR is perhaps a bit too far northeast with the placement of peak activity. I think the potential remains that convective overturning was sufficient to mitigate the intensity of storms somewhat, but the satellite derived soundings don`t seem to show any mid level subsidence or warming behind today`s earlier convection. Also watching the northern edge of the rainfall area today as a thermal boundary sits there, but it won`t have the same FGen forcing as flow increases from the southwest. Essentially looks like about 60-70% probability of flash flood warning level events overnight in the area, 20-30% probability of considerable level events somewhere. I`d give a 20-30% chance that we are just a little too worked over even for elevated parcels to fully realize available instability and moisture resulting in a lower-impact event. I`d also be watching for the event to start a little delayed given the current frontal positions, perhaps after midnight or later. UPDATE Issued at 527 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Expanded the flood watch to the rest of SEMO based on the currently analyzed position of a convectively induced boundary expected to act as a focusing mechanism for shower and thunderstorms tonight. Where those storms and that boundary set up will determine where any flood risk will set up as it will probably be a pretty narrow corridor but its simply impossible to pin down where with any skill at this range. && .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Thursday night) Issued at 310 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Primary concern in the short term is with heavy rain/flash flooding potential overnight along with some severe threat. An intense bowing MCS plowed across the southern half of the region early this afternoon. Any severe threat with it will exit our southeast counties by 21z. Lingering stratiform rain and elevated convection will continue to stream southeast from Missouri across portions of the region. Thereafter, a lull is expected during the early evening. As a boundary sets up across the region this evening and overnight, storms are expected to fire up by mid-late evening. Initiation looks to be somewhere in the 03-05z period with orientation in a NW-SE band. The overall flow looks to allow training convection that may slowly pivot eastward with time, before possibly shifting back west. As the low level jet ramps up, pwats increase into the 2 to 2.3" range. Soundings indicate a deep warm cloud layer with very efficient rainfall production expected. 12z CAMs continue to struggle with exact placement of the heaviest rainfall amounts, but generally expect them to be focused somewhere across west KY at the very least. The Flash Flood Watch was given a wide areal extent to account for the uncertainty. The probability matched mean from the 12z HREF shows 3-5" totals, with the possibility of localized 5-7" amounts. Given what occurred today, the chances of surface based storms seems rather low overnight. But some large hail potential exists due to steep mid level lapse rates and a sizable amount of MUCAPE present. If something can manage to organize, a few stronger wind gusts can`t be ruled out. Flooding and hail potential appear to be the main two threats though. Some lingering convection in the morning should quickly dissipate or move out of the region leaving behind what appears to be a primarily dry day. West-northwest flow remains in place though, so wouldn`t be surprised to see some additional activity fire up by evening. Most guidance initiates more convection by Wednesday night or especially on Thursday as another piece of energy moves through. Decent deep layer shear remains in place along with plenty of instability. Thus, we will need to monitor for additional severe storms during the day on Thursday. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Tuesday) Issued at 310 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Models have been struggling on where the boundary will be located on Friday, which dictates whether are region is largely dry or yet another day of showers and storms to deal with. For now kept in the NBM chance PoPs. Dry high pressure moves down across the region on Saturday with highs only reaching the low to mid 80s along with much lower humidity levels (dewpoints upper 50s to lower 60s). The entire weekend may not end up dry though, as 12z guidance hints at vort energy diving down the backside of the large trough across the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley on Sunday. Daily rain chances continue into next week as we remain in northwest flow with troughing to our east and the sweltering heat ridge across the southwest U.S. && .AVIATION... Issued at 623 PM CDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Reasonably good conditions expected for the next few hours but thunderstorm redevelopment is forecast tonight. We are expecting storms to form from northwest to southeast and train over the same area. Exactly where that will set up is obviously impossible to pin down exactly but if terminals are impacted there could be several hours of thunderstorm conditions at any given site. On the other hand sites could go through the overnight roughly rain free with prevailing VFR. Will be amending the TAFs for trends as it gets closer and we can get a better bead on where things will set up. Tomorrow looks better with moderate southwesterly winds and VFR flight conditions through the day. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for ILZ084>094. MO...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for MOZ076-086-087-100- 107>112-114. IN...None. KY...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for KYZ001>022. && $$ UPDATE...JGG SHORT TERM...SP LONG TERM...SP AVIATION...JGG
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
921 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SYNOPSIS... The risk for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue through Wednesday as a frontal boundary meanders through the region. More widespread activity is possible late Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... A deep layer of dry air aloft and minimal forcing have kept a lid on shower/storm development through the evening, even in the presence of a weak boundary across southwest PA. However, coverage has started to improve over the past hour thanks to an approaching shortwave trough. The best instability/shear will continue to lie to the south and of course decrease with time, but precipitation coverage should continue to increase for a couple hours as the wave crosses. Upped PoPs just a bit, especially across the southern counties. There remains virtually no chance of severe weather from this activity. The weak frontal boundary, meandering over the north, will drift southward tonight and stall almost halfway through the forecast area by Wednesday morning. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... Another weak shortwave will swing through the region Wednesday afternoon and should be just strong enough to finally kick the front just to the south and east of the forecast area. Any activity on Wednesday looks to be in close proximity to the boundary and should be rather isolated. Thus, will keep pops mainly to along and south of I-70.High temperatures will be very close to seasonal values. Meanwhile, the shortwave moving into the region on Thursday seems a bit more rigorous as the 500MB trough passing across the OH Valley as a trough seems progged for around 18Z but timing in other models calls this into question and let alone for initiation. Nevertheless, the HRRR and other HI-RES CAMs keep most notable instability into the region on Thursday afternoon and into the evening with most notable 30 knots effective shear in eastern OH. Thus, SPC has introduced a slight risk into eastern OH. Will expected the main threat to be damaging winds. The other concern will be a heavy rainfall threat as PWATs into eastern OH will be roughly 1.6 to 1.8. Thus, WPC has introduced a slight risk for ERO. Have input these 2 concerns in the HWO. Timing on convection has a low confidence overall on Thursday and given a bit too late may lessen the impact of convection. Will need to stay tuned for further updates and outlooks. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... The long wave pattern remains stagnant with a broad mid level trough over the Great Lakes region. This will continue the pattern we have been in for the large part of the summer. GEFS and EPS are in a strong consensus with the height fields. Ensemble tables still illustrate +2 standard deviation in the U wind component with above normal flow at H7 - H3 at mid levels. Forecast speeds around 40 knots most of the long range at H5. What does this mean? Well, more of the same with weak shortwave troughs kicking off showers and storms especially if the timing is right during peak heating hours. Above average confidence in max and min temperatures with H8 temps not deviating much. Highs will be just below normal values with 70s widespread. && .AVIATION /01Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Showers and thunderstorms are struggling to develop this evening with a notable ridge in the mid-lvls and weak surface instability. Left mention of convection out of TAFs and kept VCSH only at terminals that are near ongoing isolated showers, which should dissipate over the next few hours. Remnant moisture and radiational cooling will prompt patchy fog development overnight tonight, with MVFR cigs/vis possible especially at climatologically-favored terminals in/near river valleys. VFR conditions prevail tomorrow, though a few showers and storms could develop generally along and south of I-70 which would result in brief periods of lower cigs/vis at impacted terminals. .OUTLOOK... Persistent eastern U.S. trough will foster continued shortwave advection through the Upper Ohio River Valley through the week, creating periods of showers/thunderstorms and restrictions. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Shallenberger NEAR TERM...CL SHORT TERM...Shallenberger LONG TERM...Shallenberger AVIATION...Cermak
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
857 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 857 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Update to allow the Heat Advisory to expire on time, as temperatures have cooled to below dangerous levels. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday) Issued at 350 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 1) Hot conditions and isolated shower and thunderstorm chances continue into the evening. 2) More widespread thunderstorm chances on Wednesday, along with the risk of severe storms across the plains. Hot conditions with mainly dry weather ongoing across southern Colorado at this time, as 700mb temps around 20C are in place. In this environment, many locations along the I-25 corridor from Pueblo south are in the low 100s. Elsewhere, most locations are in the mid to upper 80s and 90s. Did increase high temperatures this afternoon, but no big changes to the current Heat Advisory in place, with conditions improving by mid evening. Still potential for at least isolated 5showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening time frame, as some passing mid level impulses move overhead and as a low level easterly component into the higher terrain is in place. While that is the case, any development over the higher terrain and into the I-25 corridor will likely struggle given the drier air along with westerly winds and hot temps at 700mb. Did keep low chance pops over the Pikes Peak region/Palmer Divide, where slightly greater focus could support some higher potential for showers and thunderstorms. In this location, gusty outflow winds will likely accompany any thunderstorm. Further to the east across the plains, much higher dewpoints right along the CO/KS border are helping support some rather concerning CAPE values. In this location and at this time, SBCAPE is approaching 5000 j/kg. RAP analysis is also showing high amounts of CIN in place, which some guidance indicating won`t likely erode. This seems reasonable especially with the strong capping/high 700mb temps in place. So, while this instability and higher moisture is in place over the far eastern plains, this capping and generally lacking surface trigger should limit thunderstorm development here as well into the evening hours. There is some indication of better lee troughing over east central and northeast Colorado late today. If so, this could potentially offset the limiting factors and help with a few more storms this evening. Latest HRRR run is showing this trend and think locations from northern Bent, northern Prowers, and into Kiowa county could see an isolated severe storm or two. If any severe storms were to tap into this energy, large hail in the 1-2 inch range and wind gusts up to 70 mph would be possible. Slightly cooler conditions on Wednesday, though temperatures well into the 90s still expected over much of the plains. Temps in the upper 80s to around 90 expected over the San Luis Valley, though don`t look to be high enough to support the need for an additional Heat Advisory. Thunderstorm chances, coverage, and intensity all increase on Wednesday as increases in moisture, low level focus, and upper level support are expected. An earlier start time is expected, with development over and near the mountains possible as soon as midday. Development is then expected to move into the I-25 corridor during the afternoon hours where it will encounter CAPE in the 500- 750 j/kg range and shear in the 30-40kt range. Some potential for pockets of higher instability, that will support the risk of severe storms in this location, and with similar conditions over most of the plains, this risk will extend there as well. In these locations, think one inch hail and wind gusts to 60 mph will be the main risks. Later in the day and further to the east, along and east of a Kim to Lamar line, much higher instability will be in place and will support the risk of higher intense storms. Think hail two inches or higher and wind gusts to around 70 mph will be possible with any severe storm. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday) Issued at 350 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Key Messages: 1) Strong to severe storms and locally heavy rainfall across southeast Colorado Thursday. 2) Cooler temperatures through the end of the work week with warmer and drier weather for the weekend. 3) Signs of the "monsoon" next week? Wednesday night-Friday night...Ongoing strong to severe storms across the southeast plains late Wednesday afternoon and evening looks to send a re-enforcing surge of low level moisture back across the area Wednesday night, with the potential for stratus early Thursday morning across the I-25 Corridor and plains. Latest models continue to indicate dew pts remaining in the mid 50s to mid 60s across southeastern Colorado, with SBCAPE of 1500-2500 j/kg in place through the afternoon. This, along with a progged short wave within the northwest flow aloft across the Rockies will lead to the potential for strong to severe storms producing large hail and damaging winds across much of southeast Colorado on Thursday. In addition, with expected increasing available moisture as PWATS approach 150 percent of normal, heavy rain and localized flash flooding will also be possible, especially as storms merge into an MCS across the southeast plains through the late afternoon and evening. With that said, SPC`s Day 3 slight outlook for severe weather and WPC`s Day 3 slight outlook for excessive rainfall across southeast Colorado look good. Further west, with only a slight increase in available moisture, could see a isolated to scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms on Thursday, with convection expected to be higher based. Ongoing convection across the southeast plains Thursday evening sends another surge of moisture back across the area, with stratus possible again Friday morning. On Friday, the best moisture and instability looks to be shunted across the southern tier of Colorado, with cooler temperatures looking to keep the far southeast plains too stable. With that said, will likely see showers and storms developing over the higher terrain, especially across the southern mountains Friday afternoon, with storms trying to push east into the more stable atmosphere across the I-25 Corridor and plains. Friday looks to be the coolest day of the week. Saturday-Sunday...Upper high across the Desert SW builds into the Four Corners region through the weekend, bringing warmer and drier weather to the area, with isolated to scattered high based showers and storms possible over and near the mts. Temperatures to warm to at and abo5ve summer seasonal levels through the weekend. Monday-Tuesday...Operational models and ensemble data continue to indicate the possible start of the monsoon, as the upper high is shunted southeast of the area with PWATs progged to increase to at and slightly above seasonal levels. This will lead to s slow increase in shower and thunderstorm activity across the higher terrain through the period, with some concern of critical fire weather conditions with initial dry lightning potential across western and into south central Colorado. Temperatures look to remain at and above seasonal levels through early next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening) Issued at 350 PM MDT Tue Jul 18 2023 No big change in thinking at the start of the forecast period, with an isolated shower or storm remaining possible across COS and PUB early this evening. Still don`t think any widespread thunderstorms are possible, but an isolated storm capable of producing gusty winds will remain possible. Conditions across ALS will continue to be dry, with this continuing tonight into Wednesday morning. Additional shower and thunderstorm chances return by midday Wednesday at all sites. While chances will be highest across COS and PUB, ALS will have the potential to observe a window of showers or storms Wednesday afternoon. Development could start earlier, with potential impacts beginning as soon as early afternoon. Additional forecasts will likely need to include more prevailing conditions especially for COS and PUB, potentially through the end of the forecast period. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...EHR SHORT TERM...RODRIGUEZ LONG TERM...MW AVIATION...RODRIGUEZ
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
924 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A weak surface trough will hold over the North Carolina Piedmont through mid week, as a warm and humid air mass persists over the region. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 924 PM Tuesday... The evening surface analysis shows a cool frontal boundary draped across the Mid-Mississippi Valley into the lower Great Lakes. Dewpoints behind the front ranged from the upper 50s to mid 60s. Haze associated with smoke continues to be observed over portions of the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. The latest HRRR smoke shows this haze improving overnight and tomorrow morning, though some patchy haze will likely persist into Wed. While otherwise high pressure was present across the SE US, including NC, a series of MCVs (thunderstorm complexes) were well evident on satellite/radar. One MCV was present over central/eastern KY, a second and more noticeable over eastern TN, and a third moving into northern MS/AL. The latter MCV is the strongest at the moment, moving into a more favorable region of instability with dewpoints in the upper 70s to near 80. The one MCV over eastern TN is progged by the last few runs of the HRRR to track into the NW Piedmont of central NC overnight, then into south-central VA to the far northeast Piedmont by sunrise Wed. Convection was ahead of these MCVs over the NC Appalachians tied to a lee trough but this activity has since weakened in the last few hours. While the aforementioned MCV should continue to weaken as it tracks eastward overnight, moving into drier air and a more stable environment, models show persistent low-level 850-mb WAA, which would support chances of isolated showers/storms across the western Piedmont, including the Triad, as the MCV moves east. The 00Z GSO sounding showed nearly 1000 J/kg of elevated instability. Models show this instability persisting overnight, which should support storm chances as mentioned. Isolated showers or a few storms may extend as far east as the US-1 Corridor/Triangle shortly before sunrise but coverage should be much less than the Triad. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid 70s, coolest in the NW and warmest in the SE. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 220 PM Tuesday... The main weather story for Wednesday will be the remnants of tonight`s thunderstorm complex (as noted in the near term disc) and to what extent thunderstorms redevelop across central and eastern NC during the afternoon. The HREF members to varying degrees show showers and tstms reigniting across central and eastern NC in assoc with the MCV drifting across the state and taking advantage of daytime heating. One limiting factor may be the presence of cloud cover during the morning from earlier convection and what limits those cloudy have on instability. Currently our CWA is included in SWODY2 marginal risk with damaging wind gusts the primary threat with any storms that grow to become severe. The general consensus among the CAMs show a line of showers and tstms developing around mid-day across the eastern Piedmont and I-95 corridor, then intensifying as the storms move east of I-95 during the mid to late afternoon. High temps will be dependent on cloud cover and rain location and timing. For now, we have stuck close to climo which is highs from the upper 80s across the Triad to lower 90s across the Coastal Plain. If the rain does move through during the afternoon across the eastern half of our CWA, that could result in the warmest readings across our western Piedmont zones, which is expected to mostly avoid the shower and tstms development during the afternoon. Lows Wednesday night in the lower 70s. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 325 PM Tuesday... A Piedmont trough develops over the region on Thursday which will increase chance showers Thursday and Friday afternoon/evening. Temperatures these days will range from low 90s in NW to mid 90s SE. With dew points forecast to be in the mid to upper 70s especially in the afternoon this will result in heat indices of 100 in the triangle region to 108 in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain region both days. Thus a heat advisory may be issued for the Triangle region south on Thursday and possible Friday. Also, Thursday SPC has the far SW portion of the FA in a D3 slight risk for severe thunderstorms, with the main hazard being damaging wind gusts. As the trough moves over the region especially on Thursday afternoon some destabilizing along the boundary could develop a few organized multicells. Expecting more scattered coverage rather than widespread. Over the weekend strong surface low over the lower Great Lakes lifts to NE with a trailing cold front over the Carolinas and into the lower MS valley. As the front sags just to the south of the region, slight to chance PoPs remain in the forecast for the afternoon/evening hours with the best chance of showers and thunderstorms in the southern half of the CWA. With the passing of the cold front late Sunday, expect afternoon scattered thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday especially in the Sandhills and Coastal plain regions. Temperatures over the weekend and into early next week will be a tad below average with highs in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the mid to upper 60s. && .AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 800 PM Tuesday... VFR conditions will generally dominate central NC, with a couple of exceptions. First, in the far E and S of the area (including FAY/RWI), areas of smoke will persist with frequent MVFR vsbys (generally holding at 4-6SM) through much of tonight. This smoke may linger through Wed morning and may spread areawide, but vsbys should generally trend back up to 6SM or greater everywhere. Scattered storms over the NC mountains currently are generally dwindling and not making much progress eastward, although there is a possibility that a few remnant showers may brush INT/GSO late tonight, 08z-12z. Otherwise, the current fair skies will yield to a mix of scattered to broken mid and high clouds from W to E tonight through Wed. Surface winds will be light mainly from the W or SW tonight before increasing to 6-12 kts Wed. Looking beyond 00z Thu, scattered storms are expected to be ongoing over central NC Wed evening, mainly east of the Triad and perhaps affecting RDU/FAY/RWI, although exact storm location can`t be pinpointed at this time. Any storms should decrease gradually in coverage overnight, although a few showers are possible overnight Wed night, with local sub-VFR fog. Another round of scattered showers and storms is possible starting as early as Thu morning, remaining possible through the day Thu and into the evening. Daily typical isolated to scattered showers and storms, mainly from mid afternoon to mid evening, will remain a possibility Fri through Sun, with the potential for pockets of early-morning fog as well. -GIH && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Hartfield NEAR TERM...Kren SHORT TERM...np LONG TERM...CA AVIATION...Hartfield
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
929 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 ...New UPDATE... .UPDATE... Issued at 926 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Hazy conditions continue across the region this evening, and with light winds, this shouldn`t change overnight. In fact, patchy fog could be possible toward daybreak. Upstream MCS over Northern Alabama is expected to weaken/dissipate before reaching our CWA overnight, so left rain chances out of the forecast. Everything else is on track, so no other changes planned. && .NEAR TERM... (Through Wednesday) Issued at 313 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Hot and hazy conditions are poised to continue through the Thursday as the service area is sandwiched between a strong ridge over the Desert SW and narrow, yet extensive trough cascading down the Eastern US. The latter is associated with broad cyclone north of the Great Lakes that is helping to advect smoke from the Canadian wildfires via N-NW "conveyer belt" flow while keeping the seabreeze confined near the coast. The airmass has also been unseasonably dry, characterized by widespread Precipitable Water (PW) values of 1.4- 1.5", per afternoon SPC mesoanalysis The combination of large-scale subsidence by the ridge and corresponding surface high pressure has mostly suppressed convection so far today. The only exception is in the extreme SW FL Big Bend where PWs are slightly higher. For tonight, hazy skies likely stick around, followed by possible patchy fog development during the early AM hrs. Best potential appears to be along/south of the I-10 corridor where the seabreeze may sufficiently moisten up the boundary layer. Overnight lows are in the muggy mid 70s. Any fog should scour out shortly after sunrise. However, kept the mention of haze as suggested by the HRRR Smoke model. Looking at tomorrow, mostly dry weather prevails, but a decaying MCS (currently over the MO Valley) may provide a focus for isolated to scattered convection across our northern-tier GA counties via a remnant outflow boundary. Better moisture recovery may also prompt seabreeze-forced convection farther south. No organized severe weather, nor flooding is anticipated, but gusty winds, frequent lightning, and a brief downpour or two are possible. As for temperatures, forecast highs are firmly in the mid 90s away from the immediate coast. These values are a couple degrees lower than the raw NBM, which is on the high end of the "model certainty" envelope and right up there with MOS guidance. Peak heat indices are mostly in the 100-104 degree range (below advisory criteria) thanks to somewhat drier air hanging around. && .SHORT TERM... (Wednesday night through Thursday night) Issued at 313 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Upper high pressure is expected to linger over the area throughout the short term. Persistent NNW flow extending to the mid levels will continue advecting dry air across the region resulting in clear skies during the overnight hours Wednesday and all throughout Thursday. Additionally, subsidence aloft juxtaposed with the aforementioned midlevel dry air will continue suppressing showers and thunderstorms across the area. Temperatures will reach the mid to upper 90s across the area, though heat indices are expected to remain just short of heat advisory criteria. Overnight lows will hang around the mid 70s. && .LONG TERM... (Friday through Monday) Issued at 313 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Multiple shortwave perturbations will round the base of an upper trough just north of the Great Lakes gradually eroding the ridge over our region. As a result, a persistent stormy period is forecast to begin starting on Saturday with PoP`s generally ranging from 50-70% areawide through Monday perhaps continuing beyond that. Increasing surface moisture throughout the long term with persistent cloud cover overhead will likely cool temperatures down as well with daytime highs starting off the long term in the mid 90s then gradually decreasing to the low 90s. Overnight lows will continue to stay within the mid 70s. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 713 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Haze continues to be the main weather feature in the TAFs this cycle. Have prevailing 6SM HZ at all sites for the next 24 hours. Another plume of thicker haze is currently over central GA, moving south. Thus, have included tempo groups with vsby restrictions to MVFR over the next 4 hours at ABY and VLD. Patchy fog may also develop late tonight at all sites, so have included tempo groups for all sites from 10-13z. Confidence is too low in TSRA coverage to include any mention for tomorrow afternoon at this time. && .MARINE... Issued at 313 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 A light to moderate breeze out of the west southwest will remain persistent across our waters over the next few days with seas generally 2 feet or less. There will be low chances for isolated showers over the next few days, although chances and coverage will begin to increase Friday into the weekend. Locally intense and erratic wind gusts are likely near and within thunderstorms. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 313 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 High pressure building over the area will continue to suppress storms across the area over the next few days. This will in turn lower RH values as temperatures increase into the upper 90s, generally ranging from 40% inland to 60% MinRH near the coast. However, MinRH values could drop below 40% in our northernmost AL and GA counties. Elevated dispersions are possible within our SE AL and SW GA counties Wednesday with High dispersions possible on Thursday in our northernmost SW GA counties. Chances for rain begin to slightly increase on Friday. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 313 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 Chances for rain will remain low for the remainder of the work week as high pressure settles in over the area. Chances for rain and thunderstorms will increase once again on Saturday and last through the weekend. However, there are no flooding concerns at this time. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Tallahassee 75 96 76 97 / 0 20 0 10 Panama City 78 91 77 91 / 0 10 0 10 Dothan 74 94 74 95 / 0 10 0 0 Albany 74 96 75 96 / 0 20 0 10 Valdosta 74 96 75 97 / 0 20 0 10 Cross City 76 94 76 95 / 0 20 0 30 Apalachicola 78 88 78 90 / 0 10 0 10 && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AL...None. GM...None. && $$ NEAR TERM...Godsey SHORT TERM...Worster LONG TERM....Worster AVIATION...Young MARINE...Worster FIRE WEATHER...Worster HYDROLOGY...Worster