Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RUC13" "RUC" "RR" received at GSD on 08/27/23


Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
806 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 805 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 No major updates planned this evening since the forecast is doing just fine. && .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Sunday Night) Issued at 323 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Clouds continue to hold in pretty strong over the eastern CWA, but the breaks are slowly increasing, and should continue to do so through sunset. Latest RAP soundings suggest enough drying to hopefully get meaningful cloud erosion between 22-00Z. Despite the cloud cover, temps are still managing to get rather close to original forecast highs. For the overnight hours, the surface ridge axis begins shifting east with south/southeast flow beginning to develop. Warm air advection also kicks in and persists into Sunday out ahead of an approaching warm front. Warmest temps aloft look to be over the western CWA, where highs should be able to reach the upper 80s to low 90s. Rather small probabilities for fog/low clouds tonight over the eastern CWA where winds will remain the lightest. Something to look into and monitor during the evening hours, but confidence too low at this point to include fog in the forecast. Sky grids were increased slightly out east towards Sunday morning to include possibility for some lower clouds. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 323 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Overall dry and mostly sunny conditons for the long term with temperatures warming by midweek. EC/GFS/Canadian ensembles are all in agreement with a highly amplified ridge over the western CONUS and a troughing pattern over the eastern CONUS starting early next week. This leaves the Northern Plains in northwest flow aloft. At the surface, a dry cold front will be exiting the CWA with a high moving in from Canada. By Tuesday, this ridge moves slightly east, due to a low moving in off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, with winds over the Northern Plains turning more northerly. By the midweek, the ridge will be overhead with mid level winds out of the west/southwest. Towards the end of the week, the ridge flattens as the mid level low (from the Pacific Northwest) pushes east across Canada/US border, switching winds to more of a zonal flow. The surface low counterpart will also be moving west to east before the cold front pushes through ~Thursday evening/Friday. Some variation exists between models on exact amplitude of the ridge and intensity/timing of the incoming low. With this setup, mainly dry through the midweek. As this low moves east towards the end of the week, we possibly could see some precip but confidence remains low at this time due to model differences and still being several days out. RH values per GFS, along with bufkit soundings, keep the area pretty dry from ~700mb to surface, so some of this mid level moisture could evaporate or just be light rain at best. Probability of 24 hr QPF>0.01 indicate 10-60% chance per GEFS Thursday-Friday, with the highest over ND/SD border. However, QPF prob for EC, keeps the higher chances more into ND with only 10-20% during this time along the ND/SD border. QPF>0.1 inch is 10% or less for both models. NBM Thursday/Friday keep less than 10% of 24 hour QPF>0.25in with most of the chances staying in ND. So this will be something to watch for. Highs early next week will range in the 70s/80s being seasonal behind the cold front and incoming high. With the ridge and southeast surface winds, we will see an increase in 850 temps Wed/Thurs. The prob of seeing 90 degrees or over is 90-98% around and west of the Missouri River. 50-75% chance of 90 and over across south central SD on Thursday and 68-75% across central/south central SD on Saturday. As the low pushes through, winds will increase midweek. NBM Prob of gusts over 34kts will be up to 80% from northern to central SD on Wednesday and up to 75% over the Coteau on Thursday. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday Evening) Issued at 616 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG VFR skies/vsbys are expected through tonight regionwide. && .ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...TDK SHORT TERM...TMT LONG TERM...MMM AVIATION...TDK
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
709 PM EDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front slowly pushes south across the region today before eventually stalling across far southern portions of the region tonight. The front is then expected to slowly lift back north Sunday through the early to middle portion of next week. This will keep conditions a bit unsettled, especially from Sunday night through Tuesday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/... As of 320 PM EDT Saturday... Latest sfc analysis indicates a weak cold front draped across the local area, becoming quasi-stationary. Aloft, WNW flow (nearly zonal) is in place with a ridge over the western CONUS and and trough over New England. Latest obs show temps generally in the low 90s, upper 80s on the Eastern Shore. Dewpoints in the low 70s have led to heat indices around 100 in SE VA/NE NC. Conditions remain mostly dry through the evening outside of isolated showers on the Eastern Shore this afternoon. There is some uncertainty with regard to precip as weak low pressure forms along the stalled boundary overnight, and CAMs are not in sync. For example, HRRR maintains SCT showers through the night that make it E of I-95 by morning while the NAMNest is more aggressive with precip across SW portions of the area closer to sunrise. Most agree on at least SCT convection for areas W of I-95, so kept PoPs mostly contained there with highest PoPs (~45%) for far western counties. Not expecting much thunder with these, but cannot rule out a rumble or two in the SW. Lows overnight will generally be in the low 70s with a few spots across the NW dropping into the upper 60s. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 345 PM EDT Saturday... The pattern still looks unsettled Sunday/Sunday night into next week as the frontal boundary begins to pivot back into SE portions of the area (thanks to the flow aloft become W to WSW). Tropical Cyclone Franklin is still expected to be well to our SE and well off the US coast Sunday, before lifting N (and staying well offshore) Monday. The best shower and storm chances will initially be confined to the south and southwest on Sunday, lifting a bit further north by Sunday night. It should also be noted that WPC has the far southern portion of the forecast area in a Day 2 Slight (Marginal up to I-64) ERO due to the increasing moisture (PWATs rising to 2.00"+). Latest QPF forecast shows additional QPF Sunday through Monday ~1.00"+ across southern and southwestern parts of the area with tapering down to ~0.50" across far north and northeast parts of the area. A bit cooler Sunday with highs in the low 80s in the W and mid 80s in the E. Lows Sunday night will range from the mid 60s NW to the lower 70s SE. Similar conditions Monday as the flow aloft becomes more WSW as the upper trough amplifies to the W of the FA. PoPs increase from S to N through the day Monday, resulting in likely PoPs across for most except high chance across the north. Due to the similar conditions to Sunday, WPC has the southern half of the forecast area in a Day 3 Marginal ERO. Highs will be held down by the clouds and onshore flow, ranging from the low 80s SE to the mid- upper 70s N and W. Remaining unsettled into Monday night. Low temperatures will range from the mid to upper 60s N to to the lower 70s SE. Still looks unsettled Tues as the boundary shifts NW, though perhaps less precip coverage with only Chance PoPs through the day. Models continue to show Tropical Cyclone Franklin lifting N well offshore of the SE coast but getting shunted farther offshore by the departing trough later Tuesday Temps will range from the Mid-70s in the NW to the mid- 80s in the SE. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 345 PM EDT Saturday... The extended period may remain unsettled as late as Wed night/early Thursday (though uncertainty is quite high after Wed). The latest 12z/26 ECMWF/GFS still have decent agreement in the next potential tropical system lifting N through the ern Gulf of Mexico Tue night/Wed. Beyond that, the models diverge as the upper trough over the NE CONUS leaves the system behind (GFS) vs. pushing it NE off the SE US coast (ECMWF). For now will follow the blends due to the uncertainty, keeping chc PoPs in the forecast Wednesday and Thursday (S and SE). This will of course be subject to change as the models get a better handle on the pattern. Wednesday also has a Marginal ERO`s from WPC. Highs Wed will below- mid 80s, then only upper 70s/around 80F Thu- Fri. && .AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 715 PM EDT Saturday... VFR conditions to start off the 00z TAF period. Will keep the chance for an isolated/scattered SHRA/TSRA later this evening and into the overnight hours. Best chance will be across the Eastern Shore and western Piedmont. However, confidence is not high enough to put any mention in the TAFs as of now. Guidance continues to indicate the potential for low stratus/fog pushing in along the coast generally after 06Z. Included the mention of MVFR/IFR CIGs for SBY and ORF where confidence is slightly higher, though PHF and ECG may also see some low stratus depending on exactly how far inland it reaches. Winds will generally be light and out of the N-NE through the period. Scattered TS will be possible again during the afternoon hours of Sunday. Can`t rule out brief VIS reductions in any storm that does develop. Outlook: Unsettled conditions with a higher chc for showers and flight restrictions later Mon-Tue. && .MARINE... As of 240 PM EDT Saturday... Wind has become generally northeast and east this afternoon in the wake of a weak front with seas around 3 ft and bay waves 1 to 2 ft. Overnight winds will become east to southeast and remain rather light. Winds will become NE around 10 kt Sunday morning then increase to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt later Sunday into Sunday night as the pressure gradient tightens along the coast with high pressure to the north and a weak surface trough to the south. NE flow with winds of 15 to 20 kt will persist through Mon aftn, as sfc high pressure will be sitting N of the local area, and a tropical system (Franklin) will be moving NNE well east of the SE and Mid Atlc coast. Swell waves from Franklin are expected to impact the local waters Mon aftn through Wed. At this time, expecting seas to peak at 5-7ft through the day Tuesday and into the first half of Wednesday. Moderate rip current risk will continue through the weekend. Rip risk remain moderate Monday for VA Beach and NC, but high at Ocean City. Rip risk will increase Monday and likely be high along all area beaches Tue and Wed with dangerous surf likely. Another area of low pressure originating as a tropical system developing in the Gulf of Mexico will lift northeast potentially tracking just inland or along the Carolina coast. This likely will impact our marine weather later next week. Winds and seas build early Thursday morning. Northeast winds of 15 to 25 kt and potentially stronger are likely Thu and Fri next week along with rapidly building seas. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...AJB NEAR TERM...AM SHORT TERM...AJB/AM LONG TERM...AJB/AM AVIATION...AM/JKP MARINE...TMG/JAO
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1056 PM EDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Dry and seasonable Sunday and Monday. A stalled frontal boundary just offshore combined with moisture from distant Hurricane Franklin may bring a soaking rain to southeast New England Tuesday and Wednesday. High surf and rip currents for south- facing beaches is also possible. High pressure leads to dry weather for Thursday into Saturday, however we will need to be monitoring for storminess near the Carolina coast. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/... Showers continued to dissipate this evening across southern New England. Thinking the rest of tonight remains dry for most of our region. Still trying to get a good handle on when and if marine stratus advects onshore. Not seeing many signs over the Gulf of ME on satellite yet, but there does appear to be stratus over Stellwagen Bank, just east of the Cape and across Nantucket. Minor tweaks to temperatures to reflect observed trends. 810 PM Update: Scattered showers with limited vertical depth moving SE through west-central MA; these showers heralded the leading edge of a cold front with lower dewpoints behind it across interior northern New England. Drier air aloft has kept these showers from developing much vertically, and these showers are gradually losing potency now that we`re after sundown, with further weakening anticipated before dissipating in entirety by 10 PM. These certainly could wet the ground but expect these showers to be brief and passing. Edited the forecast to show 20% PoP for isolated SHRA thru 02z mainly along and north of the Mass Pike. Thereafter ridging builds in from the northwest with lowering dewpoints into the lower to mid 60s. Forecast challenge for the latter half of the evening into the early Sunday morning period is the coverage and extent of returning stratus from the layer of clouds well offshore, in which a fair majority of guidance looks to return back landward as sfc flow turns NNE to NE. Is it believable is the question. The moisture layer has also made quite a distance offshore, though the southern end of it is bringing fog and stratus to Nantucket. Thinking the soonest this may return back westward is well after midnight; but I`m also pretty skeptical it makes it as far back landward as far as the guidance suggests it will with southeastern MA and coastal areas standing the best chance at seeing this low cloud layer making it back westward. Will have to monitor obs and incoming 00z guidance. Previous discussion: Quiet across southern New England at the moment, as mid level dry air along with a layer of warmer air is keeping convection from developing. Still anticipate some of the shallow convective showers to skim across northern MA through mid evening, per latest HRRR runs. No thunder is expected, and any showers will be rather brief. The threat of any showers will be gone by 10pm, if not a bit earlier. Otherwise the primary aspect of the overnight forecast revolves around the expected shift in wind direction to the NNE after midnight. Quite a bit of guidance suggests that with the wind shift, we will see widespread stratus develop as the cooler air from the Gulf of Maine advects southward. Although visible satellite does not show much in the way of stratus at the current time, this should change as that cool/moist air starts moving over the warmer waters just east of southern New England. Some guidance is also showing locally dense fog developing, however feel that is overdone, however visibilities down as low as 1 mile are quite possible, especially closer to the east coast where some drizzle may develop. As you work your way west of roughly a ORH-PVD line, it should work out to be a mostly clear night. Perhaps some patchy fog. Stuck to the guidance blend for lows across the region, so generally upper 50s to lower 60s. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... 320 pm update... Onshore NE flow will continue for much of the day. At the very least, that will keep it cooler across eastern sections (highs perhaps barely making 70f at the immediate coast), while more sun across the western half of SNE will push temperatures well into the 70s. A good amount of uncertainty as to how far west the onshore flow will push the low clouds, how solid of an overcast they will make and lastly how long it will take before they start to break up. Like it or not, we are quickly getting past the time of the year where the sun is strong to really help mix the boundary layer. I did take a blended model approach to the sky cover forecast which keeps things fairly cloudy across the eastern third of the area until 2pm or so -- with some breaks finally happening after that time. However, it`s possible the clouds will last longer than anticipated. 12z CAMs also suggest that along the low cloud/no low cloud boundary which will be somewhere across Central MA into eastern CT, there will be enough differential heating to have a few light showers develop given marginal low level moisture profiles. Have painted in some 15-20% PoPs for that possibility. Sunday night it does appear the onshore NE flow starts to weaken, so suspect that clouds will slowly clear. Otherwise it will be dry. Lows will generally be in the 50s across all of SNE. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... 315 pm update... Highlights: * A stalled frontal boundary interacting with tropical moisture from distant tropical cyclone Franklin may bring rain (perhaps locally heavy?) to SE New England Tue and Wed although there is uncertainty on this. * High surf and rip currents on south facing beaches expected Tue and Wed as long period swell from Franklin moves northward. * Cooler, blustery and much drier Wed night. * Nice stretch of weather Thu-Sat, although monitoring tropical developments in the Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico that may move into the Carolinas later next week. Details: Monday: Sfc ridge of high pressure will still be established during the daytime hrs Mon. South of the ridge over the far southern outer waters will be a stalled frontal boundary. This frontal boundary`s exact position is still somewhat uncertain but it should stay far enough to the south for dry weather. However increasing S/SW flow later in the day, in response to a digging upper trough over the Gt Lakes, should at least bring increasing clouds from S to N as the day goes on, tending more concentrated in southern areas with less further north. Monday Night Through Wednesday: This period looks to be the more active in the long-term forecast period, as tropical moisture associated with TC Franklin interacts to various extent (as depicted across models/ensembles) with a stationary front and the aforementioned upper trough and associated mid/upper jetstreaks. Besides rainy conditions, long period swells from Franklin`s center should begin across our southern-exposed beaches by Mon evening, but wave heights steadily increase and peak by Tues and Wed with the potential for at least a day to two days of high surf/rip currents to south-facing beaches. For the latest on Franklin, see the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center. In sum the two greatest threats, in order of certainty, appears to be from high surf/rip currents and then rain. There is still a considerable amt of uncertainty on PoP/QPF in this period, and that has to do with the interplay of a few things. One is the strength of the upper-level forcing/amplitude of the trough over the Gt Lakes region. Next is the position and location of the stationary boundary, which should retreat northward to some various extent as llvl SE flow increases in response to Franklin`s closest pass. Last but not least is the strength and track of Franklin itself, which latest forecasts call to pass well SE of the New England waters. On rain amts, the GFS and its ensemble GEFS output are essentially a shutout entirely as the boundary lies too far south/offshore to permit any rain from making it landward. On the other hand the ECMWF is quite wet starting early Tues and into Wed especially over southeast New England (its ensemble, EPS, probs of 1 inch of QPF in a 24 hr period Tue into early Wed show solid 40-60% probs in SE MA/Cape and Islands, much less to nil north of I-95, with deterministic ECWMF showing some 2-3 inch rain amts). The Canadian on the other hand is a middle ground between the two. So the outcomes range from essentially nil to a soaking rain for SE New England, so quite a bit of uncertainty still exists. It`s far from a perfect analog to a predecessor rain event and would be hasty to call it such, since Franklin will be passing well to our southeast, but does share some of the same large-scale ingredients to one (e.g. tropical moisture interacting with a jetstreak poleward of the tropical cyclone). If the ECMWF/GEM solutions verify, shouldn`t see thunder from this, although some thunder is possible in interior New England on Wed as the upper trough passes through. Will need to monitor developments closely but for now I`ve left PoP at chance levels, higher end of Chance in SE New England Tue/Tue night and early Wed. As mentioned, long period (10-14 sec pd) waves/swell from Franklin`s passage will bring the potential for rip currents and high surf to southern facing beaches and that will at least be one weather- related risk we`ll need to message. Too early yet for rip current statements or possible high surf advisories but rip current/surf- related headlines seem likely to be needed per ECMWF Wave and WaveWatch II guidance. Overall a cloudier-than-not period regardless, with highs in the 70s tending lower in our southern areas, lows in the low mid 60s. Wednesday Night: Seasonably strong 1020+ mb high pressure ridges in Wed night. With it will bring rather breezy N/NW winds and much cooler/drier air. Should see both decreasing clouds but also much lower, more comfortable dewpoints in the 40s to lower 50s. Northerly winds may reach into the 15 to 20 mph range for a time overnight, and a possible window for small craft advisories on all waters. 925 mb temps fall around +10 to +13C range; lows falling into the upper 40s to the mid 50s (upper 50s Cape and Islands). Thursday through Saturday: Looks relatively quiet as strong high pressure settles over SNE. For now, anticipating a few days of dry weather with abundant sun and clear nights with seasonable temps. Going to have to still watch developments in the tropics and Gulf of Mexico/Carolinas vicinity regarding an area of disturbed weather in the Caribbean/southern Gulf of Mexico, but for now opted for dry weather. && .AVIATION /03Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Forecast Confidence Levels: Low - less than 30 percent. Moderate - 30 to 60 percent. High - greater than 60 percent. Moderate confidence. VFR through at least 05z for many, with winds becoming NNE to NE late tonight. As this occurs, stratus well offshore looks to return back landward, though its western extent is still a bit uncertain. Lowest conditions further SE you go (IFR or lower for PVD and the Cape airports), with BKN- OVC MVFR for BOS-BED-ORH. These MVFR to marginal IFR conditions will be slow to dissipate tomorrow given continued onshore flow. Perhaps even slower than currently forecast. The western half of the forecast area should remain VFR for tomorrow. Small chance of an afternoon shower around ORH. KBOS TAF...Moderate confidence in TAF. VFR through at least 07z with winds becoming light NE; stratus lurking offshore may return back westward but uncertainty continues on how far west it gets and if cigs become IFR. Left as BKN MVFR but will need to monitor trends and incoming guidance given the uncertainty. KBDL TAF...High confidence in TAF. Primary aspect of uncertainty will be area of MVFR to IFR ceilings that will spread westward from the Atlantic late tonight and tomorrow. Don`t think they will get as far west as BDL, but later forecasts will look at that aspect. Outlook /Monday through Thursday/... Sunday Night through Monday: VFR. Monday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. Tuesday: VFR. Chance SHRA. Tuesday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Chance SHRA. Wednesday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Breezy. Chance SHRA. && .MARINE... Forecaster Confidence Levels: Low - less than 30 percent. Medium - 30 to 60 percent. High - greater than 60 percent. 320 pm update.... Overall High Confidence. Winds and seas have fallen below Small Craft Advisory thresholds as of early this afternoon, and all SCA headlines have been taken down. Not looking at any strong winds through Sunday night. We will have a wind shift late tonight, with light W/NW winds becoming N/NE. As that happens, we should see clouds and areas of fog develop. Could be some locally dense fog across the waters especially east of the Cape and down around the Islands. This marine fog will last for much of Sunday and into Sunday evening. For awareness purposes, we are expecting some long period swells from Hurricane Franklin to be getting into the coastal waters later Tuesday into Wednesday. Periods of 12 to 14 seconds are currently forecast, along with swell heights near 7 feet, especially across the waters south of New England. Please continue to monitor later forecasts. Outlook /Monday through Thursday/... Sunday Night through Monday: Winds less than 25 kt. Monday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft. Slight chance of rain showers. Tuesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft. Chance of rain showers. Tuesday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Local rough seas. Chance of rain showers. Wednesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of rough seas. Chance of rain showers. && .BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CT...None. MA...None. RI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Loconto/Nash NEAR TERM...Belk/Loconto/Nash SHORT TERM...Nash LONG TERM...Loconto AVIATION...Loconto/Nash MARINE...Loconto/Nash
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated
National Weather Service Billings MT
846 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .UPDATE... A few weak showers and thunderstorms formed over the mountains and foothills late this afternoon and early this evening. The activity weakened as it moved off the mountains with less instability and shear available. Stronger energy was lurking back into central Idaho and progged to round the ridge axis in place this evening and tonight, and move into western and central zones. Lowered PoPs quite a bit over western and central zones for tonight, but did leave some in place given the wave expected. This wave will push a boundary through the area toward morning and this could be the focus for more showers developing in the morning hours over western and central zones. Adjusted accordingly. TWH && .DISCUSSION... Through Sunday night... The Northern Rockies will be under the periphery of an upper ridge through most of Sunday. Weak upper air disturbances will move through the flow and produce isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms (20-60% chance) over south central MT and north central WY this afternoon and tonight. Precipitable water values of about 0.80-1.10 inches over our area and HRRR model data indicate that thunderstorms could produce brief downpours and wind gusts to about 40 mph. On Sunday, the upper flow will evolve with an upper air shortwave trough moving southeastward over MT which will bring increased support for scattered showers and thunderstorms over the same area, SC MT and NC WY, including Billings. This wave will also bring a weak cold front southwestward over the area, with drier air moving in from the northeast and aloft. Showers and thunderstorms are likely in the mountains and foothills (50-70% chance) but have a lower though still appreciable chance of occurring in the lower elevations of south central MT, including Billings, at 20-40%. Thunderstorms again could produce downpours and gusty winds. Sunday night, shower/storm activity should exit the area to the southeast as the shortwave trough continues its southeastward movement. Low temperatures will generally be in the 50s to lower 60s tonight and Sunday night. High temperatures will mainly be in the 80s. RMS Monday through Friday... A ridge of high pressure over the region will prevail through Tuesday leading to dry and very warm conditions. Tuesday night into Wednesday, a Pacific shortwave trough is still progged to push a cold front through the area. Models are in agreement that most of the associated precipitation will remain west of Billings as the main forcing tracks northwest of our CWA, but look for isolated to scattered showers/thunderstorms possible over our western zones Tuesday evening. Our main concern is how much the windy conditions and drying downslope flow may elevate fire weather risks for Wednesday...something we will be monitoring as we approach midweek. High temperatures will be in the 80s to around 90 Monday, then peak in the upper 80s/lower 90s Tuesday before cooling somewhat behind for Wednesday and the remainder of the week. BT && .AVIATION... A few showers and isolated thunderstorms will linger through the night into Sunday morning over western and central zones. Showers and thunderstorms are possible into Sunday afternoon, mainly south and west of a line from Harlowton to Billings to Ashland. Activity on Sunday could produce locally heavy rainfall (brief MVFR conditions) and gusty winds. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected tonight and Sunday. TWH && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS... Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ----------------------------------------------------------- BIL 062/086 059/088 059/092 063/085 054/083 055/085 059/089 22/W 10/U 00/U 10/U 00/U 00/B 11/U LVM 056/084 052/085 054/089 053/079 047/079 049/080 053/084 26/T 21/U 00/U 31/N 00/U 01/B 11/U HDN 059/087 056/088 054/093 060/087 051/084 051/087 055/090 12/W 10/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 10/U MLS 061/088 057/087 057/090 065/086 055/083 056/086 060/089 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 10/U 00/U 10/U 4BQ 064/088 059/087 057/091 065/088 054/084 055/088 060/089 10/B 10/U 00/U 00/U 10/U 10/U 10/U BHK 059/086 054/084 054/087 060/086 052/082 054/083 056/086 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 10/N 10/U 10/U SHR 058/081 054/083 052/088 057/085 050/082 051/085 055/086 25/T 31/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 10/U 11/U && .BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. WY...None. && $$ weather.gov/billings
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
941 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .UPDATE... Issued at 932 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 The forecast remains on track this evening and overnight as residual light rain showers have all but ended near sunset. Overnight lows will remain mild, in the 40s across the higher terrain, and low to middle 50s for a majority of the remaining cwa. Rain showers are not expected to re-develop across the area ahead of our next shortwave disturbance that will approach the region tomorrow with another round of potentially active weather. Valley areas may see some patchy fog near daybreak, but the dense fog that was present across the I-80 Summit is not expected to occur between now and daybreak tomorrow morning. Overall, a quiet night is in store for the region, before we transition to a shift in the weather pattern by tomorrow afternoon. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday night) Issued at 300 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Current surface analysis depicts high pressure slowly migrating eastward into the Midwest, as the weak cold front continues to dig south of the Great Lakes and a shortwave tracks east through central Wyoming. Showery actively is expected to continue throughout the next few days, with some shortwave disturbances expected to cut through the area and kicking up some convection along the way. While there could be some activity this afternoon and evening, the eastward propagation of the slow moving ridge axis towards the Intermountain West will effectively cut off any additional moisture advection into the region. Therefore, the shortwave currently located across central Wyoming will be limited to the pre-existing and lingering low- level moisture and primarily keeping most precipitation chances across the higher terrains with areas to the east under more downsloping flow. Into tomorrow, the upper level ridge is expected to retrograde back to the west, producing primarily northwesterly flow across north to north-central CONUS and allowing a more robust shortwave to dig across the CWA. Under this flow regime, better moisture advection across the region will aid in the production of afternoon showers and thunderstorms along the Laramie Range and traveling to the east in to the Nebraska Panhandle by the late afternoon to evening hours. HiRes model guidance has been trending this precipitation upwards, with a line of activity forming around 20z and gaining momentum as it pushes to the southeast. Thermodynamic profiles are also starting to come into better alignment for stronger storms with the RAP showing pockets of higher MUCAPE around 1300 J/kg to 1800 J/kg, and decent 700 to 500mb lapse rates hovering around 8.3C/km, stretching across Platte/Goshen County and extending into a good portion of the Nebraska Panhandle. Main concerns is going to be with the shear, with the forecast soundings keeping EBWD at 30 knots or lower, even with the arrival of the upper level jet energy creating veering wind profiles. Will continue to keep the severe thunderstorms potentials low, with brief periods of heavy rainfall possible, in addition to the potential for small hail and strong winds associated with stronger storms. Continued uncertainty exists for Monday, with the placement of the upper level ridge being the deciding factor for either a dry or wet forecast. Current GFS and Euro deterministic models vary slightly, with the Euro placing better QPF for the early morning hours, continuing Sundays precipitation through the overnight hours and the ridge axis shifting into place cutting off precipitation chances through the remainder of the day. On the opposite end, the GFS proposes a brief break in the weather and the return of afternoon showers and thunderstorms with good low-level moisture, northwest flow, and daytime heating playing a role. Started making adjustments to the PoPs to account for the uncertainty in both solutions, with tomorrow`s precipitation playing a big role in how quickly storms dissipate Sunday morning. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Saturday) Issued at 300 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Upper ridge axis builds over Wyoming starting off Tuesday ahead of a low pressure system moving into Oregon and western Idaho. Ridge axis passes overhead Tuesday afternoon as low tracks northeast into western Montana. ECMWF shows some low qpf over the south Laramie Range Tuesday afternoon. So did add some slight chance PoPs briefly Tuesday afternoon. Could be breezy Wednesday and Thursday as the upper low tracks across Montana. 700mb winds up near 30-35kts...so expect breezy conditions Wednesday. Warm and dry conditions expected across the CWA with highs ranging from the low 80s west of the Laramie Range to the low 90s in the Panhandle. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions possible for those fire weather zones that are reported YES on fuels. Begin to see an increase in showers and thunderstorms Friday as next ridge axis begins to build over Wyoming. These showers/storms look to be confined to areas west of the Laramie Range Friday afternoon as moisture from the southwest moves into the area. PWATS up near .9 inch across Carbon County. Showers/storms again possible for Saturday afternoon across the same areas. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 530 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Mainly VFR expected for the forecast period. Clearing skies expected for most of the area overnight with light winds generally out of the south. More widespread PM shower and thunderstorm activity is likely Sunday, starting west and spreading east towards the end of the TAF period. Added in VCTS for most locations. Storms may produce brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 300 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Little fire weather concerns through Tuesday, with minimum RH values staying above critical thresholds due to recent wetting rains. Hot and dry conditions expected by midweek will inevitably raise fire weather concerns as the minimum RH values drop to the mid-teens for much of the western counties and gusty winds expected both Wednesday and Thursday. && .CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WY...None. NE...None. && $$ UPDATE...BW SHORT TERM...MRD LONG TERM...GCC AVIATION...MN FIRE WEATHER...MRD
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1053 PM EDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Lingering showers and thunderstorms possible through midnight tonight. A frontal boundary will bring cooler temperatures below normal through the period. Heavy rainfall likely Sunday through Tuesday. Mid to late week weather remains uncertain due to the potential for a tropical system to develop Gulf of Mexico. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 1045 PM Saturday: Strong to severe thunderstorms moving through the CLT Metro area. Most CAMs have this activity dissipating by 06Z or so. The untapped environment lead to late evening severe thunderstorms. A few isolated showers are popping up in the Upstate as well. Kept a PoP mention into the early overnight hours. Otherwise, the overnight still looks mostly dry and tweaked the forecast based on trends and current observations. The boundary should settle to the south of the CWA by Sunday, bringing in cooler temps. Meanwhile, the upper ridge begins to retrograde westward, allowing for upper flow to move southward from the upper Great Lakes. This developing trough will swing through the area with another boundary that should stall just to the south of the region on Sunday morning. More S/SE surface and mid-level flow should draw in additional moisture, setting the stage for a wetter pattern from the end of this forecast period into the next. At this point, showers and thunderstorms are likely Sunday afternoon, after 2PM. The enviroment remains primed to support widespread showers and thunderstorms with 2000 J/kg of SBCAPE, PWATS approaching 2.5 inches, and an enhanced are of DPVA embedded within the trough. Therefore, categorical PoPs across the NC Mountains and widespread through the NC/SC Piedmonts. Confidence is increasing on heavy rainfall with local impacts of isolated flooding, especially in urban areas for Sunday. Again, this event will stretch beyond Sunday, into the work week, with additional rainfall anticipated. Currently 2-4 inches from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning, with totals subject to change depending on where storms form and train. As for temperatures, expect low 90s and upper 80s for the highs and low 70s for Saturday night. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 2:25pm EDT Saturday: Monday and Tuesday will see mostly cloudy conditions and continued height falls, leading to highs in the mid 80s most areas to upper 70s in the higher terrain areas. Dewpoints will remain strong, though, so morning lows will still be 5 or more degrees above normal. Broad trough will persist over the eastern CONUS with numerous shortwaves transiting the region that will help to realize the 2" plus PWAT values Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Overall synoptic forcing is on the weak side as most energy with the trough is well north, leading to a strong diurnal signal in convection, as well as light surface winds. Shear will be weak as well, topping out at 25kts on Monday and Tuesday. CAPE is likewise underwhelming with model soundings showing SBCAPE around 1000 j/kg. Severe weather is, thus, not a huge concern with short- lived cells the dominant mode. Total rain through Tuesday might average around 2", which by itself will not trigger major hydro concerns, but this will serve to saturate the surface, setting things up for more sensitive runoff potential later in the week. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 2:45pm EDT Saturday: Extended forecast will be largely determined by large uncertainty regarding potential Gulf tropical system. NHC has a large chance of a tropical system forming in the Eastern Gulf over the next couple of days, but models vary quite a bit on the path of this potential system. GFS persists in putting the storm much further north than other models, with possibly heavy rain Wednesday night into Friday, while EC and Canadian models have the system tracking more along the coast with potentially very limited rainfall inland. Models tend to agree, though, that once this tropical system is past, POP declines considerably. Hydro concerns remain an area to watch as moderate precipitation earlier in the weak will create antecedent conditions for significant hydro concerns, should something like the GFS precipitation forecast verifies. Continued cloudy and rainy conditions through the extended will limit temps with highs down into the 70s, rebounding on Saturday as trough/tropical system passes and a mid-level ridge replaces it. Depending on path of tropical system, winds could be elevated with its passage, particularly on Thursday. && .AVIATION /03Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: Mostly VFR conditions at all terminals through Sunday morning. A few thunderstorms are ongoing over KCLT and have placed a TEMPO for TSRA and associated restrictions through 04Z. A few showers are still possible at the Upstate terminals. Mountain valley fog/low stratus can`t be ruled out and gave KAVL a mention for possible restrictions, but confidence is not as high that fog/low stratus will work that far into the French Broad Valley. The RAP has shown a deck of low stratus developing in the CLT Metro, where most of the rain in the CFWA has fallen this afternoon. Confidence was too low for a mention, but definitely worth a blurb in the AFD. Otherwise, a cold front will sag into the area from the north and stall in the Upstate. This will result numerous showers and thunderstorms across the area starting Sunday afternoon. Tried to depict the onset time and associated restrictions with a PROB30, followed by a -SHRA VCTS prevailing line through the end of the forecast period. Model guidance continue to produce lingering showers and embedded thunderstorms over the terminals into Sunday night. Outlook: Shower and thunderstorm chances continue Sunday into early next week as a cold front remains stalled south and east of the forecast area. Mountain valley fog and low stratus development will remain possible each morning around daybreak. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...CAC/CP NEAR TERM...CAC/CP SHORT TERM...WJM LONG TERM...WJM AVIATION...CAC
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
633 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Sunday Night) Issued at 318 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Tis a hot afternoon on this National Dog Day. Most inland areas are in the triple digits once again with temps well into the 90s at the coast. Perhaps fetch is better played indoors or at least not until later this evening when temperatures aren`t as hot. Make sure you and your dog(s) are well hydrated. Also check the pavement to make sure it`s not too hot for your furry friend`s paws. A burned paw is a terrible gift for a canine on this National Dog Day. Like yesterday, we cannot rule out isolated shower or thunderstorm activity. Unlike yesterday, there appears to be less diurnal cumulus development, thus, fewer signs that the atmosphere is trying to bestow upon you and your dog a much needed rain shower. If this heat is bothering you, then you will not like this next paragraph. Tomorrow`s temperatures look interesting to say the least. A strong mid/upper ridge centered near the Texas / New Mexico border will continue its westward progression. The resulting changed in the regional flow pattern will advect warmer temperatures aloft, currently to our north, into southeast Texas. 850mb temps could possible warm into the upper-20s centigrade, particularly north of I-10. This could easily translate to widespread 105+ temps over inland areas (including interior coastal counties) as the near surface atmosphere mixes with the toasty atmospheric layers aloft. In addition, a weak frontal boundary will approaching the area from the north. Westerly flow coupled with compression ahead of the front could boost temperatures even further. However, this front does add an ounce of complexity to the forecast. Capping will weaken somewhat tomorrow as the ridge pushes westward. The addition of frontal lift and modest PVA into the region is expected to be enough to spark isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. If this were to occur early enough, then the front could save us from challenging all-time records. If not, then some inland areas will likely approach 110F again! That is very dangerous heat and certainly too hot to take part in Crab Soup Day (everyday is a holiday). There is one other feature worth mentioning. A subtle shortwave can be seen over southwestern Kansas via water vapor imagery and RAP 500mb analysis. The steering flow should take this shortave into either southeast Texas or Louisiana by tomorrow night. GFS and ECMWF both initialize this shortwave decently well but show differing solutions. GFS keeps it pretty weak and while the ECMWF shows a more robust disturbance. As you can imagine, the more robust solution is showing a better chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight Sunday. If mother nature is going to turn up the furnace tomorrow, then the least it could do is give us some rain late Sunday. Self && .LONG TERM... (Monday through next Friday) Issued at 318 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 The aforementioned weak frontal boundary will continue to push south towards the coast on Monday. Global models show hints of the afternoon sea breeze attempting to thwart it`s southern progression, but pushing offshore regardless and becoming quasi-stationary over the Gulf of Mexico. Weak capping, support from shortwave impulses and 1.8-2.1" PWs are enough to support scattered storm development throughout the day, so any mesocale boundary interactions (like with the sea breeze) should further enhance rain chances during the day. Any showers/storms that develop should provide relief from the oppressive heat. Locations that don`t receive rainfall may still see triple digit highs on Monday. Thankfully, reduced subsidence, decreased 850mb temperatures, lower moisture and offshore flow should work to bring some substantial relief heat-wise in the days following. Even with decreasing rain chances, highs for Tuesday and onwards look to be in the 90s to lower 100s with heat indicies under 106 degrees. Lows should be in the 70s to lower 80s. On Wednesday, a weak midlevel trough axis looks to dive south across the Plains into SE Texas. PWs slipping under 1.4" and dry conditions in the lowers levels don`t bode well for getting much in the way of measurable rainfall for Wednesday. Regardless, current guidance keeps this trough looming over the coastal bend, becoming a weak midlevel low on Thursday. This feature aims to increase rain chances during the later half of next week, though uncertainty remains as to how this feature will evolve. Onshore flow develops Thursday night/Friday morning, ushering in moisture return and gradual warming through the end of the week. 03 && .AVIATION... (00Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 621 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Mostly VFR conditions expected through the end of the TAF period. There`s a chance for MVFR cigs/vis again for LBX/SGR/GLS as well as patchy fog possible for LBX/SGR before sunrise Sun morning. Fog, if any, is expected to quickly burn off by around 14Z. Light and VRB winds expected overnight, then winds turn W-SW and strengthen to 06-10 KTS around sunrise. Iso SH/TS are possible Sun afternoon and evening across portions of SE TX as a weak frontal boundary pushes into the local area from the north. Began the mention of VCSH/VCTS on this TAF issuance, however, confidence of how strong/widespread activity will be and whether storms will make it into IAH southward, remains low at this time. Will continue to assess the upcoming Hi-Res solutions and modify if needed. Cotto (24) && .MARINE... Issued at 318 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Light to moderate, sea and land breeze driven winds are expected over the weekend. Rain chances increase on Monday as a weak frontal boundary pushes southward towards the coastline, later pushing offshore on Tuesday. Rain chances decrease mid next week while the sea-land breeze circulation resumes. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 318 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Very hot and dry conditions are expected ahead of an approaching frontal boundary on Sunday. By late afternoon and evening, the front is expected to make the environment increasingly favorable for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially over our northern counties. Relative humidity values are expected drop into the 20 to 30 percent range in the afternoon. We will need to monitor winds near the coast that could push conditions into Red Flag criteria for our coastal counties. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... College Station (CLL) 79 107 79 100 / 0 40 40 50 Houston (IAH) 80 107 82 102 / 0 30 40 60 Galveston (GLS) 80 97 83 94 / 0 10 20 50 && .HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...Excessive Heat Warning until 10 PM CDT Sunday for TXZ163-164- 176>179-195>200-210>213-226-227. Heat Advisory until 10 PM CDT Sunday for TXZ214-335>338-436>439. Heat Advisory until 10 AM CDT Sunday for TXZ235>238-300-313. Excessive Heat Warning from 10 AM to 10 PM CDT Sunday for TXZ235>238-300-313. GM...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Self LONG TERM....03 AVIATION...24 MARINE...03
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service North Platte NE
614 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 ...Aviation Update... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 350 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Key Messages: -Chances for precipitation will increase Sunday night across the west. -Mainly dry conditions are expected for the remainder of next week with temperatures trending into the 90s by midweek. H5 analysis this morning had an elongated area of high pressure centered over eastern New Mexico. Ridging extended north of the high`s center into southern Montana. West of the high, closed low pressure was located approximately 500 miles off the southern coast of Oregon. On the northern periphery of the high, a shortwave was noted over northeastern Kansas. Across southern Canada, a trough extended from Quebec south into New England. A tandem of shortwaves were noted over southwestern Canada, the first over southern Saskatchewan and a second over southern British Columbia. At the surface, a cold front extended from southwestern Oklahoma, northeast into central Illinois and northern Indiana. North of this cold front, high pressure was anchored over south central Canada and the Dakotas. Skies were mostly clear this afternoon and 2 PM CT temperatures ranged from 73 degrees at O`Neill to 80 degrees at Imperial. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night) Issued at 350 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 In the near term, the main forecast challenges are temperatures tonight, then precipitation chances Sunday night. For tonight, surface high pressure will build into the upper Mississippi Valley from the Dakotas. Winds will be light from the east this evening, shifting to the southeast overnight. Dry air and clear skies will facilitate a quick cool down this evening. Looking at guidance temps for tonight, the NBM is the warmest with the MET guidance the coolest. Looking at the GFS, NAM12 solns and MET guidance this morning, they initialized too dry with their sfc dew points. With this in mind, decided to trend my lows tonight toward the warmer NBM guidance. This resulted in lows in the lower 50s across the area. A weak frontal boundary will approach northwestern Nebraska late in the day Sunday. South of this feature, weak warm air advection and southerly winds will push temps into the 80s Sunday afternoon. Wouldn`t be surprised to see some readings around 90 over far northern areas in closest proximity to the approaching cold front. The frontal boundary will track south into western Nebraska Sunday evening, exiting the forecast area Monday morning. As this feature tracks through the area, a weak upper level disturbance, embedded in northwesterly mid level flow aloft, will approach the Panhandle, then track into southwestern Nebraska overnight. The CAMS along with the latest GFS and NAM12 soln develop some light precipitation in the Panhandle Sunday evening, gradually forcing this southeast into far southwestern Nebraska Monday morning. With this forecast package, went ahead and trended precipitation chances upward in the eastern and southeastern Panhandle based on decent spatial agreement with their precipitation fields in the NAM12 and HRRR this morning. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 350 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 After a slight cool down for Monday, readings will rebound back into the mid to upper 80s Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by 90s for Thursday through Saturday. Ridging across the west will transition east onto the central Plains midweek next week leading to the warmup. Toward the end of the week, we may see a frontal passage possibly Thursday night into Friday which may lead to cooler temps and increased precipitation chances. ATTM there is not much consistency with this feature between the EC and GFS solns. With that in mind, stuck to the NBM forecast with this zone forecast package. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 609 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Clear skies and dry air will remain across wrn and ncntl Nebraska tonight through early Sunday aftn. The risk of VFR or lower flight conditions during this time is very low, near zero. A weak cold front will move into nrn Nebraska 21z-00z Sunday afternoon. The front could be the focus for isolated thunderstorms affecting areas along or north of highway 2. There are no flight concerns south of highway 2 during this time. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Buttler SHORT TERM...Buttler LONG TERM...Buttler AVIATION...CDC
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
625 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Sunday) Issued at 255 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Water vapor imagery currently shows an upper level ridge over the Desert Southwest with a plume of modified monsoonal moisture stretching from the central Great Plains southwestward into northern Mexico. Steering flow remains weak around the forecast area and this was observed on the 12Z upper air maps. At the surface, the cold front remains positioned along the I-10 corridor and bending northward into the TX Big Country, with northerly flow persisting in the wake of the front. However, despite the presence of this weak CAA strong adiabatic heating is ongoing with temperatures ranging from the upper 80s to upper 90s area-wide. West Texas Mesonet data shows a reservoir of dewpoints near 60 degrees with the highest dewpoints across the extreme southern Texas Panhandle and eastern Rolling Plains. The WTM data and visible satellite imagery indicates a well mixed boundary layer, evident by the suppression of any CU across the CWA at this time; and this is also captured by recent RAP soundings. Isolated to perhaps widely scattered thunderstorms will be possible this evening across portions of the South Plains this evening where weak, isentropic ascent exists near the front beneath the mid/upper level ridge. Dense CU development is ongoing across the Big Country and extends southwestward into the Permian Basin, with additional CU development translating westward into the CWA. While the airmass will be uncapped this afternoon, the caveat will be mid level subsidence along the eastern periphery of the upper level ridge which will suppress the overall coverage of convection. Overnight, weather is expected to be quiet with a secondary frontal surge across the CWA as a surface high expands southward, and this will be reinforced by a MCV propagating eastward across southwestern Kansas. Therefore, temperatures tonight will be similar to the previous night, ranging from the middle 60s to upper 70s from northwest to southeast across the CWA, respectively. The exit region of the 250 mb jet streak analyzed on the 12Z upper air map is forecast to nose into the TX Panhandle tomorrow afternoon. The arrival of this feature will result in an increase in high level difluence atop veered/northerly 500 mb flow as the mid/ upper level high centers over the Four Corners region. Slight amplification of the steering flow will occur, and the CAA from the northerly flow aloft and the weak geopotential height falls will result in an increase in the depth of the elevated mixed layer. Forecast soundings indicate MLCAPE increasing to around 1500 J/kg by the mid afternoon hours across the South Plains. This, combined with a weakly capped air mass and meager shear, should result in the development of isolated to scattered thunderstorms across the aforementioned area tomorrow afternoon. The primary storm mode is expected to be multi cells particularly in the form of clusters to perhaps broken lines given the slight increase of steering flow with storms propagating to the southeast. While the boundary layer will not be as deeply mixed as today, the dry sub-cloud layer will still facilitate the potential for strong downbursts, and with the water loading of updrafts, a severe caliber wind gust cannot be ruled out. Chances for thunderstorms will continue to increase into the evening and morning hours. Please read the discussion below for more details. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday night through next Friday) Issued at 255 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 By tomorrow night, the upper ridge will be centered over Arizona with very weak northerly flow aloft. A developing shortwave paired with monsoonal moisture on the eastern extent of the ridge, along the Rockies, will give way to precipitation across the area tomorrow evening into Monday. The best timing of deep moisture will be tomorrow evening into Monday morning with PWATs around 1.5" to 2". A few storms may become strong with wind gusts up to 60 mph early tomorrow evening due to limited instability before temperatures cool at the surface with the loss of daytime heating. The main threat thereafter will be periods of heavy rainfall, especially across the South Plains where confidence is higher in deep moisture profiles. Heading into Monday morning, confidence drops in how long the precipitation continues through the day. Some model guidance brings dry air into the atmospheric column earlier, while other models hold onto the deep moisture through the afternoon and early evening hours across the western South Plains. Given the variability in solutions, the NBM chance PoPs were maintained across the aforementioned area. By Monday night into Tuesday, dry air will overtake and any precipitation chances will begin to diminish for the forecast area. Continuing into the end of the work week and into the weekend, the upper ridge will start to move eastward again towards the northern portions of the Southern Plains region. The temperatures forecast for Monday may be a bit tricky with the potential for precipitation and extensive cloud cover through the day. The NBM was maintained for now with highs in the 80s across the Caprock and lower 90s off the Caprock. There is a potential that temperatures, especially along the Caprock, may not even warm out of the 70s. Tuesday also remains a bit tricky with temperatures, so the NBM was also maintained for now as the trend of the blend is going slightly warmer than the previous forecast. Confidence is too low to warm temperatures any further with the lingering uncertainty. Outside of the Monday and Tuesday, temperatures will begin trending towards above normal with highs in the upper 90s to lower triple digits by the weekend. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 624 PM CDT Sat Aug 26 2023 VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period. Isolated thunderstorm activity will likely remain to the east of PVW and LBB and to the south of CDS this evening. There is a low chance of rain and thunderstorms tomorrow morning at PVW and LBB but have not included in TAF due to low confidence. Thunderstorm chances will begin to increase tomorrow afternoon and evening towards the end of this TAF period. && .LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...12 LONG TERM....11 AVIATION...17
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
856 PM PDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .DISCUSSION...A small update was made to add the new/latter portion of the 18Z HRRR smoke forecast, extending into Monday evening. The previous discussion from this afternoon is still valid, with a general continuation or slight worsening of the smoke in our area likely into Thursday. Conditions on Sunday and Monday will still have quite a bit of resemblance to those of today and yesterday as our region remains between two broad features, a trough far offshore and a ridge over the Desert Southwest. The trough will push inland Monday night into Tuesday. This will bring a thicker, longer lasting marine layer of low clouds to the coastal counties (and extend to around Roseburg early Tuesday morning), cooler temperatures across the area, and gusty westerly winds east of the Cascades on Tuesday afternoon. It may also bring a few showers, with a slight chance probability Coos, Douglas, and possibly also northern portions of Klamath and Lake counties. The marine layer will thicken Tuesday night and may fill the Umpqua Valley by early Wednesday morning, but is not expected to deepen enough to make it over the Umpqua Divide into Josephine and Jackson counties...it is still summer. Wednesday looks to be relatively typical/normal for late August with our area between exiting and approaching troughs. Low pressure moving into the region from the Gulf of Alaska is likely to be the main driver of our weather from Thursday into next weekend. But, determining the track of broad closed lows tends to be difficult in the long term, and this is certainly one of those times. As such, temperatures are likely to be at least slightly below normal, shower chances are possible for at least portions of our area, and thunderstorms may be embedded. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 443 PM PDT Sat Aug 26 2023/ DISCUSSION...Smoke will remain the dominant feature of our weather, at least into Thursday, with increasing coverage. Coos, and Modoc counties look to end up with the lowest concentrations. Thunderstorm activity during the same period of time will be very low. In the near term, a few thunderstorms may pop up over far eastern Lake County this evening. Instability is expected over the northern portion of the southern Oregon Cascades on Sunday evening, but clouds will be few due to a lack of moisture. There is less certainty for Monday. The NBM is holding on to a slight chance of thunderstorms Monday afternoon from the Crater Lake area northeastward. But, the GFS is among the models forecasting a continued dry mid-level of the atmosphere, while a couple of the high resolution models indicate a 5-15% probability farther west, in eastern Douglas County. A cold front will pass over the area Monday as an offshore low finally begins to move east, then the trough itself will pass overhead on Tuesday. This will lead to gusty, breezy to windy westerly winds Monday and Tuesday afternoons, with noticeably cooler temperatures Tuesday into Thursday, including highs dropping to below normal by a few to several degrees. The NBM continues to produce high precipitation chances Tuesday with the passage of the trough, but the GFS and ECMWF, along with their respective suites, show very little to no chance for measurable rain. A dry front and trough would certainly be expected in August, so have kept the forecast a much drier one. We are keeping light rain possible along the coast and into the upper Umpqua Basin, typically wetter spots where onshore and upslope flow may squeeze a hundredth or two of moisture out of the atmosphere. The pattern looks to change Thursday with a new trough moving southeast out of the Gulf of Alaska, then digging south into Oregon. There are wide variety of model solutions regarding the track of the trough later Thursday through the the end of the week, from the center tracking anywhere between areas offshore and areas east of the Cascades Friday, then taking up positions overhead or to the south on Saturday. Where it tracks will make a big difference in expected conditions, and the models show no clear preferred solution. The forecast continues to reflect a mean of the model suites, but expect this to change as the models hone in on a solution over the next several forecast cycles. AVIATION...27/00Z TAFs...Area wildfires are producing widespread smoke and haze with visibility restrictions for many areas west of the Cascades. This will continue to be the case at Medford and Roseburg airports, which could see periods of MVFR and IFR visibility through the TAF period. Tonight, the smoke will spread to the Cascades and eventually over into the Klamath Basin east of the Cascades. This could create brief MVFR visibilities for the Klamath Falls airport into Sunday morning, but timing is uncertain. At the coast, widespread IFR/LIFR is impacting areas from near Nesika Beach southward. Farther north, an area of clear sky and VFR exists from Port Orford up around Cape Blanco to near Bandon. The marine stratus briefly became scattered at North Bend earlier, but has since gone back to MVFR. We expect most areas will fill back in this evening with stratus and fog and IFR/LIFR conditions overnight into Sunday morning for near all of the coast and offshore waters. These should break up again Sunday afternoon. -Spilde MARINE...Updated 200 PM PDT...A weak pressure gradient will lead to weak winds and relatively calm seas through early next week. A thermal trough will develop by the middle of next week along the south coast of Oregon. This will result in increasing north winds and steep wind driven seas late Wednesday afternoon. Moderate to strong north winds are expected to persist into Thursday. -Schaaf /Guerrero FIRE WEATHER...Updated 200 PM PDT Saturday, August 26, 2023...The latest satellite image shows marine stratus along most of the coast and into the coastal valleys, which has been slow to burn off. Elsewhere skies are clear, however we do expect some cumulus build ups later this afternoon east of the Cascades. Most of the forecast period will be dry through at least the middle of next week. The only fly in the ointment will be late this afternoon into early this evening in northern Fire zone 625 where an isolated thunderstorm or two is possible (15%). Smoke is most extensive in Fire zones 616 (western part), the Illinois Valley and near the fires in northwest California. An upper level low will remain nearly stationary into the start of next week, then will get kicked inland Monday night into Tuesday as an upstream upper trough over the Gulf of Alaska moves east. This will send a dry cold front into the area Tuesday. The aforementioned upper low will swing into the area Tuesday and this has the makings for moderate to strong winds along and east of the Cascades Tuesday afternoon into early Tuesday evening. 700 mb winds are not that impressive (15-20kts). However, 600 mb winds are impressive (25-35 kts) and this is the time of the year when winds could mix down near the surface from this level. This is a slight downward trend from yesterday, but it`s still will be a concern. The pressure gradient will be tight, but the one limiting factor with Tuesday will be the RH`s. Right now were expecting to see a slight uptick (slightly higher relative humidities) Tuesday afternoon which could keep conditions above critical thresholds, but it will be close. Even if critical thresholds are not met, any existent holdover or smoldering fires from yesterdays lightning could "wake up" and become active. Weak upper troughing remains Wednesday, with dry and stable conditions. After Wednesday, the operational models differ with the strength and arrival of the next upper low on Thursday and Thursday night. However the the general consensus is for the upper low to move south and become cutoff from the main flow late next week into next weekend. This would lead to a cooler and wetter pattern, with showers and at least isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms. -Petrucelli && .MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OR...None. CA...None. PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...None. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
257 PM PDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .SYNOPSIS... The heat will be on for Sunday and Monday, with temperatures warming back up into the 90s regionwide. A robust system brings showers and scattered wet thunderstorms Monday night into Tuesday night. Rain will continue into Wednesday, and may be heavy at times across the northern mountains, before a drying trend into the end of the week. Temperatures drop with the Tuesday system, sitting below normal through Thursday, before moderation takes place going into the end of the week. && .DISCUSSION... Tonight through Monday: While a closed low sits off the WA coast, a ridge of high pressure remains over the region, giving way to a warming and drying trend through the weekend. Easterly winds have ushered in drier air, meanwhile haze and smoke from area fires lingers. * Temperatures: Anticipate an additional 4 to 6 degrees of warming on Sunday with daytime highs in the 90s region wide. A couple degrees of warming is forecast for Monday, being the peak of the heat. Overnight lows remain mild in the mid 60s across the LC Valley, Okanogan, and the Wenatchee area on the mid Columbia, meanwhile temperatures will dip into the lower 50s in the northeast WA valleys. Heat risk remains in the moderate level across the low lands of the Inland NW with a few pockets of high in central WA. * Thunderstorms: Storms have been isolated across northern Oregon and continue to creep northward, reaching the southern Columbia Basin, Blues and southern ID Panhandle through early evening. Not much in the way of precipitation is expected, although gusty outflow winds can be anticipated. For Sunday, the focus shifts north along the Cascade crest where elevated instability increases. Already seeing cumulus builds ups this afternoon. By Sunday, there’s a 10-15% of thunderstorms along the crest of the northern Cascades. This pattern repeats for Monday afternoon as well. ...THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY WINDS, HAIL, AND HEAVY RAIN MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY... Monday night through Tuesday: Major pattern change expected as the low off the WA coast swings inland. This will bring an active period with thunderstorms, some strong with gusty winds, hail and heavy downpours Monday night for central WA, and then spreading into extreme eastern WA and the Idaho Panhandle for Tuesday. Anticipate dramatic cooling by 8 to 18 degrees on Tuesday and breezy winds. * Thunderstorms: The threat increases across the Cascades by Monday evening and spread into central WA overnight. Instability remains high through the night with elevated CAPE values near 1000 J/kg seen in the NAM. This has the potential to lead to strong outflow winds and hail with the thunderstorms. Pwats steadily increase into Tuesday, increasing the threat for heavy rain. Thunderstorm chances bump up to 30-40% by Tuesday afternoon with heavy downpours being an increasing threat, especially across north-central into northeast WA. * Winds: Gap winds increase in the lee of the Cascades Monday evening with gusts of 15 to 25 mph during the overnight hours. Westerly winds increase and become more widespread across the Columbia Basin, Palouse, Spokane area, and LC Valley by Tuesday afternoon with gusts of 25 to 35 mph. These winds are significant especially for fire weather concerns, although relative humidities will also be on the increase which will help lessen fire spread especially with an increase of showers and thunderstorms. Tuesday night through Saturday: A moist, cool upper trough will bring areas of rain and modest thunderstorms chances to the area through mid-week, before drier weather develops and temperatures moderate up toward normal. Tuesday evening the negatively-tilted upper trough will be in the process of lifting through the area, with modest moisture (PWATS over 1 inch) and instability wrapped up in it. Rain and a chance of thunderstorms will be found over much of north and eastern WA and ID. Lower chances will be found over south-central WA. As the evening progresses into Tuesday night and Wednesday the higher rain potential shifts toward the north and eastern mountains, with the overall potential for thunderstorms likewise declining though not entirely ending. Some stronger thunderstorms will be possible Tuesday evening, with a potential for strong winds and hail with the unstable negative- tilted through lifting through. Locally heavy rain will also be possible and we will have to monitor for localized/isolated flooding or debris flows, especially near any burns scars or steeper terrain. From Tuesday overnight into Wednesday the threat of strong winds/hail become smaller. However, some potential for flooding/debris flow impacts from heavier rain remains, with the focus shifting toward the NE WA and N ID mountain zones. In general, winds will be around 10-20 mph, with gusts of 20-30 mph from Tuesday evening through Wednesday, before speeds start to abate. By Thursday the upper trough starts to split and lose influence over the region, with a ridge starting to build in Friday and Saturday. Shower chances will linger near the Canadian border and Cascade crest Thursday, with drier weather thereafter. Temperatures will be around 5-10 degrees below normal Wednesday and Thursday, the warm closer to or slightly above normal toward the end of the week. /Solveig && .AVIATION... 00Z TAFs: VFR and generally dry conditions will prevail. Some middle to high clouds will continue to increase from the south, mostly from the remains of precipitation to the south. Confidence still supports most of that precipitation falling apart before it tracks too far north. With that said, isolate -shra/-tsra cannot be ruled out near the Blue Mountains or Camas Prairie and portions of the deeper Columbia Basin, some of which could be in the vcnty of EAT, MWH, LWS and PUW before 06Z. Haze from regional wildfires will persist, which could provide localized MVFR conditions; confidence leans away from such impacts around TAF sites as HRRR smoke guidance does not change concentrations drastically over the next 24 hours. /Solveig && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Spokane 59 91 60 94 60 80 / 0 0 0 0 0 60 Coeur d`Alene 59 92 60 94 61 80 / 0 0 0 0 0 60 Pullman 56 91 57 94 55 74 / 0 0 0 0 0 60 Lewiston 67 99 67 100 66 82 / 0 0 0 0 0 60 Colville 49 92 50 95 52 82 / 0 0 0 0 0 60 Sandpoint 54 89 55 91 57 84 / 0 0 0 0 0 40 Kellogg 61 89 64 92 64 81 / 0 0 0 0 0 60 Moses Lake 60 97 61 98 61 80 / 0 0 0 0 30 80 Wenatchee 67 95 69 98 66 78 / 0 0 0 0 40 70 Omak 61 98 65 100 67 83 / 0 0 0 0 10 70 && .OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...None. WA...None. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
523 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday) Issued at 258 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Key messages: 1) Mainly mountain/high valley showers and thunderstorms this evening. 2) Slight upturn in storm coverage on Sunday, with an increasing chance of storms into the I-25 corridor. Currently, convection finally starting to increase/strengthen over the high terrain as air mass over the mountains has destabilized (CAPE 800-1200 J/KG), while I-25 corridor has seen cool/stable conditions as morning cloud cover has been slow to burn off. For this evening, expect sct to numerous showers/storms over the mountains to slowly drift east, with radar trends and various CAMs suggesting Fremont and Custer counties will see the best coverage of precip, though all mountains/interior valleys have a chance for at least a brief storm through sunset. Locally heavy rain will be possible, as storm motions are fairly slow. Not buying the HRRR depiction of storms surviving all the way to the I-25 corridor and beyond given lack of instability east of the mountains, though if stronger storms do fire in Fremont County, some showers/light rain may drift make it into Pueblo County and the srn I-25 corridor before dissipating by late evening. Overnight, backed off pops somewhat after midnight as most models end showers by 06z-08z, though some sprinkles likely to persist over the peaks into the morning given rather moist air mass in place. On Sunday, another round of afternoon storms is likely over the mountains/interior valleys as moisture remains in place, with vertical motion provided by weak upper level speed max rotating through the area. I-25 corridor should see an increased chance of convection by late afternoon as well, with southeast surface winds t many locations holding moisture in place, allowing surface CAPE to climb to around 1000 J/KG by late day. Least chance of storms will be over the far eastern plains, where air mass continues to look fairly stable. Again, locally heavy rainfall the main risk with any storms (eastern mountain slopes look favored), as steering flow is weak and 0-6km shear profile is less than 30 kts. Max temps will climb back into the 80s on the plains with more sun expected, while mountains bounce back into the 70s. .LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Saturday) Issued at 258 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 Key messages: 1) Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected from Sunday evening through Monday. Some storms could produce flash flooding. 2) Drier conditions are anticipated Tuesday through Wednesday with only isolated to scattered afternoon storms over the higher terrain. 3) Slight uptick in afternoon and evening thunderstorm chances on Thursday and Friday, with a few storms possible over the plains as well. 4) Overall temperature trend will be cool and slightly below average through Tuesday, then a warming trend with temperatures slightly above average on Thursday and Friday. Detailed discussion: Sunday evening through Monday... An upper level disturbance transitioning through, along with an abundance of moisture due to the remnants of a tropical system, will continue to provide widespread coverage of showers and thunderstorms over most of southeast Colorado Sunday evening through Monday. High resolution model guidance and CAMs alike continue to show most of the activity being confined to the higher terrain and along the I-25 corridor, with lesser coverage over the far eastern plains. The higher probability of storms looks to occur over the central to southern portion of the I-25 corridor on Sunday evening, although there could still be some heavier showers over the northern portion as well, especially around Monument Hill. Given the higher amount of CAPE and instability, there could also be some heavier storms and perhaps a rogue storm with severe criteria outflow winds over the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Raton Mesa area. Some storms could prove to be problematic in terms of flash flooding for the burn scar areas and perhaps the urbanized areas along the I-25 corridor if storms are able maintain intensity as they move off the mountains. The majority of the eastern, and especially the far eastern plains, will likely remain dry given the more stable conditions in place. Temperatures will remain cool and dropping into the upper 50s to low 60s over the plains, and generally in the 40s to low 50s for high country, with a few locations in the upper 30s for the highest elevations. On Monday, the mid to upper level flow behind this disturbance, along with a broad swath of moisture associated with it will cause more showers and storms to develop during the afternoon over the higher terrain and then move over into the adjacent valleys and plains throughout the day. Again, the coverage on Monday evening will be very similar to Sunday evening, with most of the heavier showers and storms being over the southern Sangres and along the southern I-25 corridor. Given that shear will not be very strong, there is lesser confidence with storms becoming severe, however the slower movement could cause concern for flash flooding, especially over the burn scar areas and perhaps some of the urbanized areas along the I-25 corridor. Easterly flow at the surface over the plains could also help with some upslope enhancement with these storms. Because of this, WPC still has a marginal risk for excessive rainfall through Monday over most of the higher terrain and I-25 corridor. Temperatures will still be cool and nearly 10 degrees below the seasonal average for highs on Monday. Tuesday through Friday... There will be a drying trend taking place from Tuesday through Thursday, which is reflective in the decreasing PWAT values in the ensembles during this time as drier air is advected into the mid to upper levels behind the exiting U/L disturbance. Storms developing over the higher terrain during the afternoon hours will be mainly isolated and there will be very little chance for anything to move over into the plains. It will still remain cool on Tuesday, although there will be a gradual warmup as ridging begins to build back in over the region and south to southwesterly flow returns in the lower levels, with temperatures return to being above the seasonal average by Thursday. It will also be very warm on Thursday and Friday, although ensembles do show a slight uptick in PWAT values and the deterministic models are also in close agreement with this as there will be some troughing to the northwest which helps to push the monsoonal moisture plume further towards the east and over the region. There will also be a better chance for storms to move out over the plains with increasing mid-level shear for both of these days. -Stewey && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 519 PM MDT Sat Aug 26 2023 KALS...showers and thunderstorms will likely impact the terminal through around 04z this evening. Variable winds with gusts near 35 to 30 kts and reduced CIGS and VIS are possible with any storms that move over the terminal. Areas of fog are possible overnight, with VIS falling to 3 SM or less through Sunday morning. Another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible tomorrow afternoon. KCOS and KPUB...CIGS around 3 to 6 kft will be the main concern through the overnight hours. Southeasterly winds will likely keep KCOS socked in overnight. Improving conditions are expected Sunday morning into the afternoon, with low chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Mozley && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...PETERSEN LONG TERM...STEWARD AVIATION...MOZLEY