Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RUC13" "RUC" "RR" received at GSD on 07/26/24


Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
727 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 ...New SHORT TERM... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Saturday) Issued at 726 PM CDT THU JUL 25 2024 Scattered showers will continue for the next few hours across Central Alabama. A thunderstorm or two can`t be ruled out in the southeast, as thunderstorm activity is currently ongoing across southern and southeastern Alabama. Activity should diminish after sunset, but a stray shower is possible overnight. Have kept in slight chance PoPs for the overnight and early morning periods. Foggy conditions may develop overnight, especially across northern Central Alabama in locations that received rainfall earlier today. Foggy conditions will improve by mid-morning, and the afternoon will bring a chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms. Thunderstorm activity will be more likely in central and southern areas, where higher instability will be present. 12 Previous short-term discussion: (This evening through Friday) Issued at 131 PM CDT THU JUL 25 2024 This afternoon. A strong elongated ridge extends from over the Desert Southwest northeast to over the North-Central Plains while a longwave positive-tilted trough extends from over Southeast Canada southwest to over the Tennessee Valley Region. Fairly weak/diffuse low pressure was analyzed at the surface with a low in the lower levels aloft over Southern Arkansas while surface high pressure was centered across much of Wisconsin. RAP 13km mesoanalysis depicts a few shortwaves over Northern Mississippi and Northwest Alabama. These slow-moving disturbances aloft in conjunction with a deeply moist vertical profile will continue to support scattered to numerous showers with a few thunderstorms with the best potential generally along and north of Interstate 20. Locally heavy rainfall may result in water ponding in urban and low-lying areas due to efficient rainfall rates and slow storm motions. Winds will be from the northwest at 4-8 mph. High temperatures will range from around 80 far northwest to around 90 far southeast. Tonight. Longwave positive-tilted troughing will persist to our northwest overnight while more mid-level disturbances will move over Northern Mississippi northeast over Northwest Alabama and Southern Tennessee overnight. Strong surface high pressure will be centered over Michigan with a surface cold front extending from the Northern Plains southeast across the Midwest and into the Southern Ohio River Valley Region. Expect scattered showers with a few storms across the northern quarter of the area overnight with lower chances elsewhere. Some patchy fog is expected across portions of the northern and eastern counties before sunrise on Friday morning. Winds will be from the northwest at 2-4 mph. Low temperatures will range from around 70 north to the low 70s southeast. Friday. A weakness aloft will persist over the Mid-South and ArkLaTex regions to our west on Friday while the longwave trough pulls further away to the northeast. A weak closed mid-level low is depicted to develop in most guidance solutions where the weakness aloft is present. Strong surface high pressure will become centered across the Eastern Great Lakes while the surface cold front pushes further south, extending from the Northern Plains southeast across the Mid-South and into Northern Georgia and South Carolina. Chances for showers and storms will be greater across the far northern quarter of the area in relative closer proximity to the front to our north with isolated showers and a few storms elsewhere. Winds will be from the northwest at 4-8 mph. High temperatures will range from the mid 80s northwest to the low 90s southeast. 05 && .LONG TERM... (Friday night through next Wednesday) Issued at 258 PM CDT THU JUL 25 2024 Daily opportunities for showers and storms continue through the extended forecast. The Sunday-Monday time frame could offer fairly high coverage, comparatively, as an upper low/trough translates across the region, providing additional lift atop an already warm and moist air mass. This feature will quickly exit, though upper troughing should be maintained across the eastern CONUS with a ridge taking shape over the southern Plains. This setup should result in an upward trend in temperatures and a bit less in the way of showers and thunderstorms compared to days prior. 89^GSatterwhite && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 639 PM CDT THU JUL 25 2024 VFR conditions this evening at all sites, with occasional showers at BHM. MVFR cigs and vis will set in after sunset at BHM, EET, TCL, ANB, and ASN, likely dropping to IFR overnight into the early morning. Conditions should improve after sunrise, although MVFR cigs may hold on until closer to midday. MGM should stay VFR overnight, although a brief drop to MVFR in possible but not explicitly mentioned. Scattered thunderstorms are possible tomorrow afternoon, with a PROB30 for thunder in at BHM, EET, TCL, and MGM. AMD NOT SKED for TCL currently as the ob is intermittent. 12 && .FIRE WEATHER... Fire weather elements are not expected to reach critical thresholds over the next several days. Regional showers and thunderstorms continue each day, varied in coverage, with high RHs and light 20-foot winds. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 69 87 69 89 / 50 40 10 60 Anniston 69 86 71 89 / 50 40 10 60 Birmingham 71 86 71 90 / 50 40 10 60 Tuscaloosa 70 87 72 91 / 50 40 10 60 Calera 69 86 72 89 / 50 40 10 60 Auburn 71 89 73 88 / 40 40 10 60 Montgomery 72 91 73 91 / 30 40 10 60 Troy 72 91 71 91 / 30 40 10 70 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...12 LONG TERM....89^GSatterwhite AVIATION...12
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
713 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered showers in the mountains this evening. Numerous showers and thunderstorms for the mountains Friday and Saturday, with scattered storms on the plains. - Elevated fire weather conditions are expected over the higher terrain on Sunday due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. - Trend towards hot and dry continues late weekend into next week. - A few daily records tied or broken is very feasible with the upcoming heat as we broach the triple digits again. && .UPDATE... Issued at 704 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 Showers are starting to move into the central and northern mountains from the west at this hour as moisture increases. With diurnal heating going away, these should diminish over the next few hours, then there is a break in the moisture before more comes late tonight or early Friday morning. Updated forecasts for more clouds over the mountains and shower timing. Also dropping the Red Flag Warning now, since conditions are easing. && .SHORT TERM /Through Friday/... Issued at 234 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 It`s another hot day for northern Colorado today as an upper-level ridging pattern continues. Northerly flow aloft persists continuing to bring hazy skies to the Front Range from wildfires burning to our north. The ridge is expected to continue to elongate to the northeast bringing a more westerly regime aloft to Colorado for tomorrow. This will begin to push the more concentrated smoke levels to our east. The latest loop of the HRRR Vertically Integrated Smoke guidance clearly depicts this expected trend and shows some potential relief beginning as early as this afternoon with significant improvements overnight. This outdoor enthusiast welcomes some relief! With regards to precipitation for today, instability is lacking across the plains as portrayed by forecast soundings showing minimal CAPE values between 50-300 J/kg throughout the afternoon and evening. Large dewpoint depressions show dry lower levels with DALR extending up past the 600 mb level. Forecast soundings show a slightly different story for the higher elevations with marginal instability indicated with SBCAPE values ranging from 500-900 J/kg. PWAT values look to increase throughout the day reaching around .71" by this afternoon. This could support the development of isolated showers/storms later on this afternoon and evening. With 700 mb temperatures ranging from 15 to 20C today, surface temperatures have surpassed the 90 degree mark with some locations aiming for 100 degrees across the plains. With these hot and dry conditions in place, critical fire weather has become a concern. We have issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the plains that will continue through 9 PM this evening. Tomorrow will bring increased chances for precipitation with periods of heavy rainfall possible across the mountains as increasing moisture and instability are expected. PWAT values will climb into the 1-1.25" range putting us above 75% of normal (.84"). This could lead to areas of flooding associated with the strongest storms, especially over our burn scar locations. See hydro section below for more details. These showers and storms will likely move eastward across the plains bringing some gusty outflows with them, however, instability is modest and with dry lower-levels, chances for heavy rainfall over the lower elevations are low. The most impact expected over the plains would likely be from dissipating storms causing gusty winds as they enter the more stable environment. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s across the plains once more, with the higher elevations expected to be in the 70s. && .LONG TERM /Friday night through Thursday/... Issued at 234 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 The assignment if you choose to accept it, we highly encourage you to do so, beat the heat and stay hydrated. Even as our average daily highs have reached the 90F threshold for late July and early August, the incoming heat is nothing to balk at. We typically average 3 100+F degree days along the Front Range over the past 10 years and we`ve already hit that average in mid-July. The prolonged nature of the 100F or near 100F has been the bigger concern and Sunday through Wednesday of next week is showing consistency to be another stretch of well above normal summer heat. Ensemble guidance, even though coarse, is showing greater than a 60% chance we exceed 99F over a 3 to 4 day stretch from the Front Range urban corridor to the far northeast plains. Outside of the heat the next best chance (about 25%), and we use that term very lightly, for rain would be next Thursday as moisture continues to increase a bit with a shortwave trough of low pressure nearing the region. Much of the activity may remain tied to the higher terrain, typical, and lower temperatures a few degrees elsewhere with more cloud cover, but that is really about it at this time. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday/... Issued at 704 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 VFR through Friday. South winds gusting to around 25 knots will continue at KDEN/KAPA this evening, becoming lighter and more southwesterly by 12z. A period of lighter west winds is expected for a few hours Friday morning, then winds will become north to northeast. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon. A few periods of gusty winds are expected, with west directions preferred but some variability possible. Gusts up to 35 knots are likely, with localized gusts to 45 knots possible. This threat is mainly between 21z and 24z Friday. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 234 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 With hot, dry, and windy conditions expected across portions of the plains this afternoon, a RFW has been issued for FZ242-245 from 1 PM this afternoon through 9 PM this evening. Relative humidity is expected to drop as low as 11% and wind gusts up to 35 mph are possible. Elevated fire weather conditions are also expected outside of these zones included in the RFW including the eastern portion of FZ238, and the western portions of FZ248 and 249. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 234 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 Increased moisture is expected to enter the forecast area on Friday. PWATs are expected to be above normal (~1-1.25"), increasing concerns for localized heavy rainfall over the mountains. Areas of most concern will be our burn scar locations. Timing of likeliest impacts will be from noon into the evening hours. Enough moisture will remain across the region on Saturday for scattered showers and thunderstorms and provide a minimal impact to the area burn scars. Beyond Saturday, the pattern dries out and warms up several more degrees. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ UPDATE...Gimmestad SHORT TERM...Bonner LONG TERM...Heavener AVIATION...Gimmestad FIRE WEATHER...Bonner HYDROLOGY...Bonner/Heavener
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1024 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Heat concerns into the weekend, with heat indices getting into the upper 90s and low 100s in the Red River Valley Friday. - There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather Friday and Saturday. All modes of severe weather are possible. && .UPDATE... Issued at 1022 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 Temperatures will continue to slowly fall overnight tonight but only modest heat recovery is expected thanks to high dew points. No weather impacts are expected overnight. UPDATE Issued at 855 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 The heat advisory will expire at 9 PM CDT as sunset should push apparent temperatures below 75 F. Impacts should be minimal overnight tonight. UPDATE Issued at 616 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 Skies remain clear outside of the smoke aloft still making things hazy. ?Upstream higher clouds are starting to filter into the Devils Lake Basin tied to a pretty stout upper wave. This should be the only cloud cover tonight as this low will progress northeastward. Heat will continue to be the biggest issue with limited recovery expected overnight. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 239 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 ...Synopsis... Satellite this afternoon looking fairly clear, with some clouds to our west and the faint tinge of smoke aloft. Canadian wildfire smoke continues to be an issue in the FA, mainly for sensitive groups. A brief reprieve from the smoke is indicated in the RAP tomorrow as a front comes through, but the smoke quickly fills back in aloft. After another front Saturday night, the temperature trend will be more in the mid 80s initially, then looking to warm back up into mid- week next week into the 90s. The weather pattern continues to look unsettled into the next work week, as the UL flow is more zonal. ...Heat Concerns... With dewpoints into the 70s in the Red River Valley Friday, Heat indices are forecasted to be in the upper 90s along and north of HWY 200 and in the low 100s south of HWY 200. Because of this, and an accompanying wet-bulb globe temperatures in the 80s, a heat advisory is in effect for Friday afternoon and evening. With WBGT that high, outdoor exercise should be postponed in the hottest parts of the day. Make sure you are staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks in the A/C or shade. As you move out of the RRV counties (either east or west), the probability for high heat indices begins to decrease. Seeing some indication that areas into northern Minnesota could have heat concerns Friday, but my confidence in that is less than in the Red River Valley. ...Severe Start To The Weekend... Tomorrow and Saturday, SPC has parts of our area under a marginal risk (1/5) for severe weather. Tomorrow`s risk is better instability ahead of a cold front, but the shear is more marginal for supercell development. A few isolated supercells could develop early, and all modes of severe weather will be possible with those discrete cells including damaging winds up to 60 MPH, large hail up to half dollar sized, and an isolated tornado. As a jet kicks in into the evening, this looks to support more linear organization into the overnight period. This will transition the major threat to damaging winds overnight. Saturday`s set up is similar, but more uncertainty exists in terms of timing and if the atmosphere can rebound from Friday`s severe threat. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1022 PM CDT Thu Jul 25 2024 Low level wind shear will continue overnight tonight for most TAF sites. Conditions should improve after sunset. VFR conditions should prevail for the TAF period, although VFR impacts to visibility from smoke are expected. Isolated MVFR visibility cannot be ruled out as a result. Winds will remain elevated through the day tomorrow. Showers and thunderstorms may develop in the vicinity of TVF/GFK although confidence remains very low in impacts to the TAF sites. Storms may also be capable of hail if they do impact the TAF site. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...Heat Advisory from noon to 9 PM CDT Friday for NDZ008-016-027- 030-039-049-052-053. MN...Heat Advisory from noon to 9 PM CDT Friday for MNZ001>004-007- 029. && $$ UPDATE...Perroux DISCUSSION...AH AVIATION...Perroux
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
338 PM PDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Gusty winds and dry weather will mean lingering fire weather concerns this evening, before things start to improve later this evening into Friday. However smoke from regional wildfires may impact some of your activities. The weekend will be dry with seasonably warm weather. The arrival of a slow moving frontal system Monday and Tuesday will bring the chance for showers and thunderstorms. Above average temperatures and dry weather will likely return toward the end of next week. && .DISCUSSION... This afternoon through Friday night: An upper trough will continue to migrate across the region this evening, before the region starts to shift into a more benign regime for Friday. Tonight that upper trough and moisture caught up in it will continue to provide some scattered to broken cloud cover over the northern CWA, with a some embedded showers over the northeast WA and north ID counties before about 7-8 PM. Then the clouds and showers collapsing with sunset. Winds will remain breezy this afternoon, sustained near 10-20 mph with gusts near 25-35 mph. Regional RH values are starting to bottom our in the upper teens to lower 20s. The winds will start to abate with sunset and RHs will start to recover. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for portions of eastern and central WA, including around the Colville Reservation around the Swawilla Wildfire. Friday itself will be a bit warmer than today, but still a bit below normal. Clouds will be more limited and transient too and winds will be lighter. However with active wildfires surrounding much of the Pacific Northwest from Canada to California, including some very active ones in our own CWA, the region will have to contend with smoke and haze. HRRR models continue hold some of the denser smoke around the Cascades and northern counties, as well as over the far southeast CWA early this evening. However heading into the overnight and Friday that smoke and haze is forecast to expand over more of the Columbia Basin and eastern Washington. This includes the Spokane/CdA area. It linger throughout much of the day into Friday night, even into Saturday though by then model start to shift the focus more over Idaho, back over the Cascades and toward the southern third of WA. So keeping an eye on air quality is something to keep in mind, looking to sources as such airnow.gov or local resources. /Solveig Saturday to Thursday: Saturday will feature elevated fire weather conditions in central Washington thanks to weak troughing and a marine layer in western Washington. Wind speeds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph will be common across the Columbia Basin, West Plains, and Palouse during the afternoons Saturday and Sunday. Typical evening winds through the Cascade gaps will deliver gusts up to 30 mph to Wenatchee, Vantage, and Waterville. The ensembles show a 10-30% chance of reaching Red flag thresholds in central Washington Saturday and even into eastern Washington on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday: A trough offshore the WA coast Monday will increase our precipitable water and shower chances in the Inland Northwest. The latest National blend of models shows a 10-30% chance of measurable precipitation for the Columbia Basin, L-C valley, Palouse, and north Idaho through Tuesday night. There is a 30-70% chance of measurable precipitation near the Cascade crest, Pasayten Wilderness, and northern mountains of Washington through Tuesday night. There does not appear to be a great amount of destabilization during this period so widespread lightning activity is not expected at this time. Wednesday onward: Models suggest a return of strengthening ridging in the NW US with warmer temperatures. With a gulf of Alaska trough in place, winds will be a daily concern. /Butler && .AVIATION... 00Z TAFS: VFR conditions will prevail for the period. Winds will taper this evening. HRRR smoke indicates MVFR conditions possible for KGEG-KCOE but confidence is not high enough to put in the TAF. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: There is low confidence on how smoke will impact visibility across the Inland Northwest. Lighter winds Thursday evening may allow visibility reductions to increase in coverage. ----------------------- Confidence descriptors: Low - Less than a 30 percent chance Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance High - Greater than a 70 percent chance For additional probabilistic information for NWS Spokane airports, please refer to the Aviation Dashboard on our webpage: https:/www.weather.gov/otx/avndashboard && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Spokane 50 83 54 87 57 86 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Coeur d`Alene 48 81 51 84 54 83 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pullman 44 79 47 81 50 81 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewiston 56 89 59 91 62 91 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Colville 40 81 44 84 46 84 / 10 0 0 0 0 0 Sandpoint 43 78 47 81 50 81 / 20 0 0 0 0 0 Kellogg 52 77 56 81 57 80 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moses Lake 49 85 52 88 55 89 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wenatchee 55 86 60 89 61 88 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 Omak 50 89 57 91 59 91 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 && .OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ID...None. WA...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening for Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
705 PM PDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .UPDATE...Limited weather concerns outside air quality in the near/short term. Latest satellite shows multiple local/regional wildfires on the landscape impacting air quality. Notably, the Retreat wildfire west of Yakima, which has been reducing visibilities at KYKM to sub-6SM throughout today, is no longer impacting there visibility. Latest VWP shows winds have shifted sufficiently to the northwest to push the smoke south/away from KYKM. Otherwise, clear skies besides lofted smoke and updated the Wx for smoke transport based on the latest HRRR and satellite trends. Latest thinking is after tonight smoke will be transported more widely eastward across parts of eastern OR and south central WA tomorrow based on latest forecasts (confidence 60-80%). Otherwise, highs will be commonly 5 to 10 degrees warmer than today, however, some added uncertainty exists for daytime temps owing to the potential for smoke aloft to affect highs. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 446 PM PDT Thu Jul 25 2024/ SHORT TERM...Today through Saturday...Area fires continues to impact air quality and visibility, notably the Retreat fire upstream of Yakima that has reduced visibilities to sub-5SM. Otherwise, mostly clear skies outside of smoke from fires on the landscape. Otherwise, main concerns are winds today. A dry northwesterly flow is in place with a shortwave trough across the region through the forecast period, driven by the low over BC area. Breezy winds and cool near-normal temperatures will be the highlights for the next few days. Today, moderate wind gusts will occur across the eastern Columbia Gorge, Kittitas valley, and the Cascade Gaps around 25-35 mph. However, higher gusts possible at Kittitas Valley, as seen with gusts up to 45 mph this morning. However, chances for these gusts are low now (40-60% chance) owing to a reduced pressure gradient. The surface pressure gradient initially started off pretty strong but is decreasing now and will continue through the afternoon. Wind conditions should decrease to light around 10 mph or less starting around tonight. Friday through Saturday, mid to high clouds will move across the Columbia Basin and Yakima valley including portions of the WA Cascades. This is supported by HREF (70% confidence). Winds will then continue being light as the low and shortwave trough moves to the east. Temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s through Friday, but are expected to steadily increase for Saturday into the 90s in the Basin and upper 80s elsewhere. Thus a return to seasonable temperatures Saturday. Dry conditions will persist with low relative humidity in the teens to lower 20s. Feaster/97 LONG TERM...Saturday through Thursday. Broad mid-level troughing with cyclonic flow anticipated to be in place early Saturday. Meanwhile, a closed upper-low is anticipated to be downstream in Saskatchewan/Manitoba with a lingering ridge well upstream in the eastern North Pacific. Ensemble guidance is in fair agreement with the large scale pattern evolution through Monday followed by increasing spread in guidance. The lower confidence/increased spread could be attributed to potential embedded disturbance(s) revolving around the mean troughing prevailing over the PacNW coast Monday/Tuesday, and secondarily the downstream amplification of a building ridge over the Rockies and High Plains. Ensemble guidance show excellent agreement initially with a broad mid-level trough and seasonable high temperatures to begin the long term period with a general westerly flow aloft through the weekend. A modest synoptically imposed pressure cross-Cascade pressure gradient will support breezy conditions in the afternoon and evening Saturday and Sunday. While not unusual, anticipated our windy climo-proned areas of the Cascade gaps, Kittitas Valley, eastern Columbia Gorge spilling into the OR Lower Basin to see breezy conditions. This is buttressed by high chances of breezy conditions, NBM 24-hr probabilities of max daily gusts exceeding 40 mph over 60%, Saturday across the aforementioned areas with similar chances seen on Sunday. Timing wise, should be afternoon-evening period with highest winds then lessening overnight. Increasing moisture will be seen moving northward ahead of a disturbance with this starting on Monday, along with a slight uptick in highs compared to the weekend. There will also be the potential for isolated-scattered showers starting as early as Monday along the Cascade crest. Of which, clustering scenarios are showing appreciable differences in timing with this upcoming deepening shortwave trough between Monday and Tuesday. Lower confidence in the timing of the shortwave trough affecting the region on Monday (~30-40%) based on clustering scenarios. Increasing confidence in the disturbance affecting the area Tuesday (70%). That said, instability appears somewhat marginal in tandem with weak mid-level lapse rates. Chances for thunderstorms are low (less than 15%) Monday and Tuesday but bears monitoring. Current thinking is the risk area for thunderstorms is highest across the central OR Cascades to central mountains OR to eastern OR mountains with the better, though low, chances existing on Tuesday. Thus some elevated fire concerns exist with the potential for new starts from dry thunderstorms. The central CONUS upper-level ridge is projected to strengthen and shift slightly westward with a warming trend taking hold mid week. Highs are forecast to be 8-12 degrees above normal by Thursday. While there is some uncertainty in terms of weak, passing open waves on the western periphery of the ridge and the overall amplitude of the upper-level ridge, fair and dry conditions look to prevail more likely than not mid-week (70-90% confidence). AVIATION...00Z TAFs. Aviation concerns continue to revolve around impacts from wildfire smoke and some limited wind concerns the remainder of the afternoon/evening. Retreat fire in Yakima county continue to impacts flight categories at KYKM while most other TAF terminals see little-no impact besides haze. Otherwise, mostly clear skies, except for aforementioned wildfire smoke. Recent PIREPs show tops of smoke around 90 kft. Current thinking remains intact with a more favorable wind direction anticipated to take hold in the next few hours that should promote improved conditions at KYKM. Latest KPDT VWP has shown a more northerly component being gained over the last three hours and believe this will provided the needed push to transport the smoke south of the terminal between 00-03 UTC. Increased confidence in this outcome owing to the latest HRRR forecasts as well (~80%). Otherwise, breezy winds continue continue with gusts up to 30 kts, highest at KDLS. Winds will lessen starting around 00 UTC / 5 PM PDT overnight with sustained winds anticipated to be less than or equal to 5-7 kts early morning. Light winds expected tomorrow (under 10 kts). && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... PDT 48 84 51 86 / 0 0 0 0 ALW 51 87 54 89 / 0 0 0 0 PSC 54 87 55 90 / 0 0 0 0 YKM 48 87 53 89 / 0 0 0 0 HRI 50 88 54 90 / 0 0 0 0 ELN 48 87 54 88 / 0 0 0 0 RDM 42 84 47 84 / 0 0 0 0 LGD 46 85 49 85 / 0 0 0 0 GCD 48 89 52 87 / 0 0 0 0 DLS 54 89 58 85 / 0 0 0 0 && .PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OR...None. WA...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...97 LONG TERM....80 AVIATION...80
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
111 PM MDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .SHORT TERM...Tonight and Friday. Showers and thunderstorms are increasing early this afternoon, and will progress north and east through tonight. Many storms will produce little rain, but like yesterday...we will see plenty of storms with a decent burst of rain and gusty winds. There is a 50-90% chance of winds over 40 mph across a good chunk of eastern Idaho this evening, with some low end potential for gusts near 60 mph. A MARGINAL RISK for severe weather is still in place outside of the central mountains, but we wouldn`t be surprised to strong outflow winds anywhere across our area. Thunderstorm potential decreases but still NOT ZERO overnight as storms shift east. We will see more storms tomorrow, although coverage is more limited and mainly across higher elevations along the Montana border...as well as the South Hills/Albion Mountains, southeast and eastern highlands. The potential for wind gusts is lower, only 30-70% over 35 mph and not really any signal for gusts closer t0 60 mph. Outside of storms, it will be breezy...especially across the central mountains and and Snake Plain/Magic Valley. We are looking at any wind-related headlines at the moment. For tomorrow night, we will already see the next round of showers and potential overnight storms lifting northeast out of Utah. Keyes .LONG TERM...Saturday through next Thursday. This weekend will feature the coolest temperatures we have seen since early July with highs each day in the 70s and 80s across our lower elevations. We will keep our daily isolated to scattered thunderstorm chances going through Saturday as a H5 shortwave trough lifts north out of the Great Basin, helping to introduce a 20-70% chance of showers and storms throughout the day with best chances across the Snake Plain south into Utah/Nevada and east into Wyoming. Following that shortwave trough, SW flow will be reintroduced over the area and will limit any shower and thunderstorm coverage to around a 10-30% chance along the Montana and Wyoming border regions. With predominant SW flow remaining in place for early next week, temperatures will remain seasonable under the increasing influence of high pressure overhead. By midweek next week, temperatures look to respond to a H5 ridge axis shifting overhead which will bring temperatures back to above normal levels with highs reaching the 90s to low 100s. Very dry air moving onshore from the Pacific at this time looks to keep the bulk of monsoon moisture south of Idaho through the work week next week which will also lead to breezy winds peaking each afternoon. By next weekend, long range model guidance supports the potential return to more shower and thunderstorm potential as a H5 trough in the NE Pacific moves onshore to WRN Canada. MacKay && .AVIATION...Predominant VFR and dry conditions will continue early this afternoon ahead of a cold front passing overhead later this afternoon and evening. This front will support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms regionwide with a 60-90% chance at KPIH and KBYI with a 40-60% chance at KIDA, KSUN, and KDIJ. Stronger storms will be capable of producing MVFR/IFR VIS with heavy rain and wind gusts in excess of 30-40 kts. Outside of convection, winds will remain elevated this afternoon with gusts to around 20-25 kts. Following this cold front today, breezy winds will help to introduce a drier airmass into place for Friday in addition to increased wildfire smoke from regional wildfires to our west. The latest HRRR smoke model shows visibility dropping at KBYI early Friday morning and to a lesser extent at other terminals as a mix of near-surface smoke and smoke aloft build into southeast Idaho. For tomorrow, expect some lingering shows and storms primarily SE of the Snake Plain where a 30-60% chance of thunderstorms exists with less than a 10 percent chance up towards the CNTRL Mountains. MacKay && .FIRE WEATHER...We will continue with RED FLAG WARNINGS through this evening for all zones EXCEPT for Zone 422. Thunderstorm coverage will be highest outside of the central mountains, where the warnings for Zone 475/476 are more for wind/RH but does include the potential for some thunderstorm development. There is a 50-90% chance of wind gusts over 40 mph over a broad area of central and eastern Idaho. There is a decent signal as well for gusts close to 60 mph, so we will be watching for that. Wetting rain potential is higher down south, with the best chance across Zone 427 where chances are in the 30-60% range. Chances are in the 30-40% range across the Magic Valley (425) and from Pocatello south and east (413) through this evening. Elsewhere they are ranging anywhere from almost zero to 25-ish percent. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will linger overnight generally along and east of I-15. For Thursday, we will see another round of storms across higher elevations outside of the central mountains. There IS an area of isolated storms possible from Borah northeast toward Gilmore Summit and Lone Pine during the afternoon. Coverage looks limited enough to preclude any RED FLAG WARNINGs for thunderstorms tomorrow. The potential for gusts is around 35 mph and down a bit to 30-70%, and really no signal for gusts near 60 mph. Wetting rain chances are down to 15-30% at best and mainly near the Montana border. Wind gusts do look similar (maybe slightly weaker in some spots) to today across the central mountains and Snake Plain. We will issue a RED FLAG WARNING at some point this afternoon or evening for Zones 410, 422, 475 and 476 for winds and low humidity. Saturday has the potential to be another RED FLAG day due to thunderstorms especially across Zone 476 and the rest of eastern Idaho away from the central mountains. We will need to monitor trends as there is some concern that early showers and storms may complicate (in a good way) the potential for higher coverage of lightning. Wetting rain and gust potential goes up again on the flip side. After we see lingering storms near the Montana border Sunday, we are back to warmer weather and dry conditions. Keyes && .AIR QUALITY...Air quality is in the good to moderate range across the area. However the 00z run of the HRRR smoke model shows a strong push of smoke moving through the Treasure Valley into the Magic Valley and Snake Plain Friday. Visibility could reduce to 5 to 10 miles and we could see deteriorating air quality on Friday. 13 && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 10 PM MDT this evening for IDZ410-411-413- 425-427-475-476. Red Flag Warning from Noon Saturday until 10 PM MDT for IDZ410-422-475-476. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
451 PM MST Thu Jul 25 2024 .UPDATE...Updated 00z Aviation Discussion. && .SYNOPSIS... Another active weather day is anticipated across south central Arizona with the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The main threats will be gusty outflow winds, dense blowing dust, and locally heavy rainfall. Thunderstorm chances will decrease heading into the weekend with rain chances remaining confined to higher terrain areas. There will be a slight cooling and drying trend that will allow for the excessive heat conditions across southeast California to come to an end after Friday. Rain chances increase again across the state by the early to middle part of next week. && .DISCUSSION... The latest RAP analysis showed the subtropical ridge of high pressure centered over central Arizona this morning with 12Z RAOBs recording 500 mb heights around 599-600 dm across the state. The strong ridge will lead to continued above normal temperatures with some places seeing highs this afternoon a degree or two warmer than yesterday. Temperatures across the lower deserts will generally top out in the 110-115 degree range with the warmest temperatures focused along and west of the Lower Colorado River Valley. Additionally, dew points in the 60-70 degree range will help boost heat indices in excess of 120 degrees in some places across southeast California to the Lower Colorado River Valley today. Major to Extreme HeatRisk will be present in the aforementioned areas today and tomorrow where an Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect through Friday evening. Visible satellite imagery showed mostly clear skies across the lower deserts, allowing for plenty of sunshine, while widespread convection is ongoing across the northern high terrain. The ridge will gradually shift southwestward today, providing north to northeast flow aloft over south-central Arizona. Embedded in this flow along the periphery of the ridge will be a weak perturbation that will arrive later today and thus may provide some upper support to aid thunderstorm development going through the afternoon and evening. The 12Z HREF shows MUCAPE values once again climbing upwards of 1000-1500 J/kg today. Favorable thermodynamics combined with forecast soundings showing favorable inverted-V profiles and DCAPE values upwards of 1500 J/kg will promote robust convection across parts of south-central Arizona capable of producing strong to severe downbursts. Strong outflows emanating from these thunderstorms and any outflow collisions will help to initiate additional development into the lower deserts heading into this evening. HREF paintball plots indicate thunderstorms surviving into the Valley while chances quickly drop off going into southwest Arizona and southeast California. However, there is some uncertainty in terms of thunderstorm coverage given last night`s thunderstorm activity across portions of central and western Phoenix. There is better confidence that eastern parts of the Valley will stand the better chances for seeing thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening given the lack of activity there last night. Nonetheless, folks should be prepared for the potential for more strong to severe thunderstorms across the Valley with damaging winds being the primary threat. SPC has highlighted a good chunk of the area in a Marginal Risk for damaging winds. In addition to the wind threat, outflows in dust prone areas may lead to areas of dense blowing dust, which can quickly lead to hazardous travel conditions. The weaker storm motion combined with sufficient moisture to promote locally heavy rainfall may lead to isolated instances of flash flooding. .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... There is still good agreement amongst ensemble guidance regarding the upper ridge becoming displaced farther south towards the international border beginning Friday. This pattern shift will result in drier W to NW steering flow setting in across forecast area. Thus PoPs will drop to near zero across the western half of the area Friday afternoon. However, there will still be enough mid- lvl moisture present across the eastern half of the forecast area for storm chances to linger. Currently PoPs range from around 20-30% in the Phoenix Metro to around 50-60% in S Gila County Friday afternoon/evening. There will not be much change in regards to mid- lvl hghts/thickness on Friday with 850 mb temps remaining around 30- 31C, therefore high temps will still remain unseasonably hot for most of the forecast area, especially across the western deserts. Further suppression of the upper ridge is expected this weekend which will result in a noticeable drop in moisture levels. As a result, a decrease in monsoonal thunderstorm activity is likely, with activity mostly confined to far eastern and southeast portions of AZ for Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will also cool by a few degrees as hghts aloft diminish overhead. Highs this weekend will largely below 110F, especially by Sunday. Heading into next week, the ensemble members indicate that the subtropical ridge will quickly rebound and build back over the Four Corners region. The GFS and ECMWF deterministic model solutions still indicate an inverted trough or easterly wave arriving by Tue-Wed next week which could bring an uptick in monsoonal activity across the southern half of AZ. With the strengthening of the upper lvl ridge, we will also see a slight increase in temperatures throughout the week. && .AVIATION...Updated at 2350Z. South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT: The primary weather impacts will be strong, gusty outflow winds with abrupt wind shifts and scattered TS around the PHX airspace into this evening. Strong storms near Wickenburg have sent an outflow from the northwest that will reach at least KPHX and KDVT before a stronger outflow out of the E-NE between 0030-0130Z is expected to sweep the terminals. Somewhat better confidence exists that more concentrated storms will develop closer to KIWA, however direct impacts with MVFR thresholds may occur at any location though probabilities are under 30%. Thus, have largely kept VCTS mention given the most probable coverage. With additional storms likely south and east of terminals through the evening, wind directions and speeds will become more uncertain, however enough evidence exists to include a brief period of gusty southerly winds as outflows possibly surge back north. Should this outflow become stronger than anticipated, a period of blowing dust (either at the sfc or lofted) could conceivably drift north into the metro mid evening, though confidence is too low to include in this TAF package. Otherwise, east winds should finally settle over the area after midnight though it would not be out of the question for brief period of variability to persist until sunrise. West winds should reestablish between 18-20Z tomorrow across the terminals before another period tomorrow evening where gusty outflows become a concern again. With less thunderstorm coverage anticipated over the high terrain to the north and east tomorrow, certainty in an outflow sweeping the TAF sites is too low and would be just beyond the current forecast period. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: No major weather issues will exist through Friday afternoon under a few mid/high cloud decks. Winds will generally favor some amount of a southerly component, though a period of westerly sundowner winds are likely at KIPL. A surge of gusty south winds is also possible for a period overnight at KBLH though overall confidence is rather low. && .FIRE WEATHER... Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across southcentral AZ again this afternoon and evening. Some storms could become strong to severe with the primary threats being strong and erratic outflow winds, locally heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning which could cause new fire starts. Thunderstorm chances will begin to diminish starting Friday and remain confined to the higher terrain this weekend. Outside of any convection, winds will follow typical diurnal upslope/downvalley patterns with intermittent gusts in the 15-20 mph range during the afternoon. Min RHs will mostly range from 15-25% through Friday with sub 10% RH developing across the western districts Saturday and Sunday. Overnight Max RHs tonight will range generally from 40-60% before dropping to around 25-55% overnight Saturday morning for most places. Max RHs across the southern Gila County high terrain will be around 60-70%. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...Excessive Heat Warning until 8 PM MST Friday for AZZ530-532. CA...Excessive Heat Warning until 8 PM PDT Friday for CAZ560>570. && $$ DISCUSSION...Smith PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...Salerno AVIATION...Whittock/18 FIRE WEATHER...Smith/Salerno
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
930 PM EDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front over the Ohio Valley will approach the region Friday. The front will settle south of the region Friday night, bringing drier and cooler conditions for the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 930 PM Thursday... * Flood Watch cancelled for all but Anson and Richmond Counties tonight * Flood Watch remains in effect for the Sandhills and Coastal Plain on Friday The majority of the heavy rain has pushed south and east of our area. The main batch of rain is along far eastern sections of NC. A surface cold front as of 9 pm is largely situated across the lower OH valley in KY/WV and sections of northern VA. With time, this front is forecast to reach northern sections of central NC by early Fri morning. Aloft and at low-levels, there remains an area of moisture convergence and lift along and south of the front. Satellite imagery reveals new convection showing up over central SC in combination with the aforementioned ingredients and also mid- level support/energy. Most areas north of US-64 will be dry for the remainder of the night. However, with the front to our northwest and a subtle surface trough draped along the US-1 corridor, additional showers or embedded storms could reform for the southern Piedmont, Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain after midnight into early Fri. The last few runs of the HRRR show a potential MCV from convection in SC bringing this activity into these areas for the overnight hours. Additional rainfall amounts could range from 0.25 to 0.75 inches, highest in the southern Coastal Plain. As a result, we decided to keep the Flood Watch in effect for Anson and Richmond. Some patchy fog is possible across our northern zones, along/north of US-64, where patchy clearing skies will allow for saturation. Overnight lows should be in the upper 60s N to low 70s S. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 335 PM Thursday... Fri will be our last wet day in this stretch, focused mainly on our southeast sections, followed by mostly dry weather Sat. Fri/Fri night: The surface cold front is expected to push SE into central NC by Fri morning, propelled by high pressure centered over the Great Lakes and by mid level shortwave troughing from the Canadian Maritimes through the Ohio Valley and mid Miss Valley to E TX. Ahead of the front, high chance for showers and storms will continue for one more day in areas S and E of the Triangle, where PW is expected to remain over 2" beneath a stream of mid level perturbations riding atop the area and within the right upper jet entrance region. The heaviest rain is likely to be focused over and just inland from coastal sections where sea breeze convergence could augment large scale ascent, and given the chance for multiple storms clusters to propagate into our SE Fri, yielding a risk for torrential rainfall, will extend the SE portion of the flash flood watch out in time, through 7 pm Fri. Pops will be chance or lower from the Triangle to the N and W where PWs will be falling post- front with the gradual onset of weak subsidence heading into Fri night. Expect highs in the low-mid 80s, with lows in the 60s to around 70. Sat/Sat night: The surface high will extend into the area as the front settles just to our S and SE, resulting in northeasterly low level flow with falling PWs to near 1". The mid level trough axis will still be SW-to-NE oriented across central NC Sat morning, and before this finally pushes to our SE, there will be a chance for a few showers and an isolated storm over our far SE, but this risk too should be waning by late afternoon. Expect fair to mostly clear skies for Sat evening/night, with falling dewpoints into the 60s, a welcome break from the humidity of late. Highs should again be in the low-mid 80s with decent sunshine, followed by lows in the low to mid 60s. -GIH && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 250 PM Thursday... Sunday will start with an omega block over the area - a weak upper low will be over the northern Plains, an upper low will be southeast of New England, and an upper ridge will extend south from Lake Erie down into the Carolinas. However, the offshore low will drift northwest over New England while the Plains low weakens into a trough, and soon the upper level pattern will return to what it has been much of this past week - a nearly stationary trough to the west of the area which will bring a continued chance of rain. However, with precipitable water values forecast to be closer to normal than they have been this week, rain should not be nearly as widespread or intense. Highs will be a couple degrees below normal at the start of the period, mostly in the 80s, rising to near normal Wednesday and Thursday, in the upper 80s and lower 90s. && .AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 750 PM Thursday... 24 hour TAF period: While confidence is high sub-VFR cigs will redevelop overnight, timing could be off a couple/few hours at some terminals. The axis of showers/storms should stay east of KRDU, and possibly KRWI, with KFAY being the most likely site where they may linger into tonight. MVFR/IFR cigs should spread across central NC after midnight, with KINT potentially hanging onto VFR cigs longest. Cigs should continue lowering to IFR/LIFR after 06Z, (isolated pockets of VLIFR possible, but confidence of occurrence at a specific terminal is low at this time) and prevail through early Fri morning. While vsbys should generally be MVFR overnight, some patchy fog across the north could result in pockets of lower vsbys. Slow improvement to VFR/MVFR is expected through the day Fri, with cigs at eastern sites expected to remain MVFR through the remainder of the TAF period. Showers/storms and the associated sub-VFR conditions may redevelop Fri aft at KFAY/KRWI, then at KINT/KGSO late aft/eve. A front is still expected to slide ssewd through central NC Fri morning, with winds generally becoming nnely behind it. -KC Outlook: A gradual return to mainly VFR conditions and dry weather is expected Friday night into Sunday. Shower and storm chances increase once again on Monday and especially Tuesday. -Danco && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Friday evening for NCZ027-028-042-043-077- 078-085-086-088-089. Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for NCZ083-084. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Kren NEAR TERM...Kren SHORT TERM...Hartfield LONG TERM...Green AVIATION...KC/Danco
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
150 PM PDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... * Thunderstorm chances shift to west central NV through this evening, with another risk of isolated storms in parts of western NV Friday. * Gusty southwest winds and lower humidity bring increased fire weather concerns to northeast CA and northwest NV this afternoon and locally to all areas Friday. * Dry conditions with cooler temperatures near seasonal averages will prevail this weekend through the remainder of July. && .DISCUSSION... * CHANGES: Increased slight chance of thunderstorms across western NV late Friday. Also, increased winds across the ridges a bit. Otherwise, no major changes with isolated storms across western NV and breezy conditions through Friday followed by drier and seasonally warm temperatures for the weekend. * Isolated storms were developing in tandem with the HREF across the eastern Sierra of southern Mono County eastward into western NV. Confidence in timing and location has been above average, so expect storms to push off the Sierra by this evening with most activity along or east of Hwy 95 before exiting later in the evening. Storms are faster moving, so flooding is less of a concern, although cannot completely rule out a brief downpour or training cell that could cause some local issues as moisture remains abundant. Elsewhere, it will be storm-free with gusty southwest winds to 30-35 mph through sundown, bring local chop to Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake along with critical fire weather across northeast CA/northwest NV where RH levels have dipped below 15%. * We continue to watch a pesky shortwave moving inland Friday with some timing and location differences but a general consensus for a threat of elevated/dry lightning across western NV late Friday, starting near and south of Hwy 50 late afternoon and spreading northward during the evening hours, possibly into the first few early hours of Saturday morning. We introduced a 15-20% chance of thunder along Hwy 95 and northwest NV, but a few scenarios are a bit farther west such that the chance is not zero along or just east of Hwy 395/I-580 from Reno-Carson City northward to Susanville. Afternoon winds will continue to be breezy most areas, but not quite as strong with most gusts 25-30 mph. * For the weekend and beyond, we are not anticipating any big weather interests as it will be seasonably warm with typical late day winds. The only fly in the ointment would be smoke from nearby wildfires. Latest HRRR simulations indicate best smoke potential across NE CA and far NW NV emanating primarily from the large Park Fire in northern CA. Best to expect at hazy skies but not be surprised if the smoke forecast changes in the days ahead. Hohmann && .AVIATION... * STORMS: Isolated thunderstorms were developing from the Mono Sierra crest near Tioga Pass down to Mammoth and then eastward into southern southern Lyon and Mineral counties, so it appears the latest HREF guidance on timing and location are on track. Activity should move off the Sierra crest by late this afternoon with focus on western NV near and east of the Hwy 95 corridor. So there is a 15% chance of thunder prior to 26/00Z for KMMH with other airports remaining storm free through tonight. For Friday, an upper level wave will bring a 10-20% chance of storms across W NV, focusing east and north of Reno. There is a 10% chance of storms at KRNO-KCXP-KMEV after 27/00Z. * WINDS: SW-W winds this afternoon with gusts 25-30 kt across most of the main terminals, and 20-25 kt on Friday. Hohmann && .FIRE WEATHER... * A Red Flag Warning remains in effect today for northeast CA/northwest NV as SW-W wind gusts increase to near 35 mph and afternoon humidity drops below 15%. Fire zone 271 was added earlier this morning. Active fires are already present and these conditions can lead to more rapid fire spread. Holdovers from Wednesday`s lightning could be a problem in these areas as well as the Sierra Front where near critical conditions will occur as early as this evening for 2-3 hours. * Friday we have included fire weather headlines due to increased lightning potential and/or gusty outflow winds with low humidity. A 15-20% chance for isolated dry thunderstorms will be for northwestern Nevada and the Basin and Range for Friday. Right now, best coverage appears to be along and and east of Hwy 95 starting southern Lyon-Mineral County late afternoon and spreading north during the evening. There are still a few scenarios that bring a 10% chance of lightning as far west as Reno and east of Hwy 395 in Lassen County. * Smoke from ongoing fires in California and northern Nevada expected to spread across northeastern California and northwestern NV through Friday. The HRRR smoke trajectory model keeps most of the smoke plume north of the Reno-Sparks urban area, with the plume reaching areas near Pyramid Lake and extending into Pershing and Churchill counties. This trajectory assumes similar smoke output and no disruptions from t-storm outflows. * Additional fire starts/growth and holdover ignitions from recent days of significant lightning activity are possible, so more areas could be affected by haze and smoke. MJD/HRICH && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening NVZ458. CA...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening CAZ270-271-278. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1025 PM EDT Thu Jul 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A weak front will push through the region tonight and then position itself in the Carolinas on Friday night. Conditions slowly improve over the weekend and drier and sunnier skies return as high pressure builds in from the north. Thunderstorm chances gradually increase through the beginning of next week as another front pushes closer to the region. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 1025 PM EDT Thursday... Key Messages: - Isolated showers and thunderstorms - No changes in temperature forecast Have updated probability of precipitation based on the latest radar trends. Previous Discussion: Best instability is in the Virginia piedmont this evening, mainly north of Route 460. HRRR guidance keeps a cluster of showers and thunderstorms around Buckingham county until midnight and isolated showers in the New River Valley. No change to the expected fog and stratus that will develop overnight. No change to overnight low temperatures. Previous Discussion: Stationary front has washed out and main surface front now draped across the Ohio Valley this afternoon. This front will push south through this evening and overnight. Have had some clearing, but still mostly cloudy across the area, therefore toned back on storm/rain chances moving into the latter portions of the afternoon. Precipitation wanes overnight and likely to see fog develop across the area, lingering through daybreak Front will push to the VA/NC border by Friday morning, but clouds still likely as flow becomes reminiscent of a wedge featuring east/northeast wind. With that said, mostly cloudy skies seem likely through Friday evening, along with a few mountains showers over the Blue Ridge and perhaps an isolated thunderstorms across the North Carolina mountains. As such, with ample cloud cover, temperatures below normal through Friday. Highs today and tomorrow several degrees below normal. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 PM EDT Thursday... Key Messages: 1. Limited precipitation probabilities over the area through the period. 2. Near normal temperatures expected. A high pressure ridge aloft over the southeastern US expands into the Mid Atlantic over the weekend, and while a surface high develops over the northeast, and wedges down against the eastern side of the Appalachians. The cold front that will have crossed the area during the day Friday will be situated across the Carolinas by Friday night, so some isolated to scattered showers and possible storms may linger overnight along and south of the VA/NC border. The airmass behind the front will be drier and cooler, and temperatures will fall closer to seasonal norms. Northeasterly winds and lower humidity, as well as residual cloud cover, will make Saturday feel cooler than recent days. Temperatures warm a few degrees Sunday, as southwesterly return flow around the high increases over the area. This moisture return could spark a few showers over the southern Blue Ridge and Mountain Empire regions, but coverage looks to be scattered at best, and thunderstorm probabilities are less than 35% for Sunday afternoon and evening, mainly over northwest NC. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 130 PM EDT Thursday... Key Messages: 1. Scattered showers and storms through middle of work week. 2. Temperatures on warming trend through midweek. A 500mb trough deepens over the eastern US downstream of an upper ridge building over the southwestern US through the beginning of the work week. Near daily chances of showers and storms begin Monday with upper shortwaves tracking through the main upper trough. Increasing atmospheric moisture and instability will keep chances of showers and storms over the area through at least the middle of the week. Greatest probabilities of thunderstorms look to be Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will be on a warming trend through the middle of the week, as southwesterly flow continues to advect warmer and more moist air into the region. Highs will be in the low 80s in the west, mid 80s in the east and Roanoke Valley to start the week, warming several degrees to mid 80s in the west, upper 80s to near 90 in the Piedmont and Roanoke and Southern Shenandoah Valleys by the end of the forecast period. && .AVIATION /03Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 745 PM EDT Thursday... Mainly mid and high VFR clouds this evening. Also isolated showers near KBCB at the beginning of the TAF forecast period. MVFR to LIFR fog and stratus settle in overnight. Fog diminishes by 13z/9am, but could still have lingering IFR/MVFR cigs due to northeast flow trapping residual low level moisture along the east slopes of the Blue Ridge. Average confidence for ceiling, visibility, and wind. Extended Aviation Outlook... Should see less rainfall/storm chances Friday through Sunday so mainly VFR outside of late night IF/LIFR fog/stratus. Deep moisture returns from the southwest Sunday night through Tuesday with a chance for showers/storms mainly in the mountains. Mainly VFR outside of any storms. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...BMG NEAR TERM...AMS/BMG SHORT TERM...AS LONG TERM...AS AVIATION...AMS/BMG