Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Binghamton, NY

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363 FXUS61 KBGM 251040 AFDBGM Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Binghamton NY 640 AM EDT Sat May 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A frontal boundary will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the region this afternoon through this evening. This system sweeps through quickly, as Sunday will be mostly dry before the next system moves in late Sunday evening and into Monday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... 4 AM Update... High pressure is still in control this morning with dry conditions across the area. Ridging flattens out later today and low level southwesterly flow develops, which will start to increase moisture this afternoon. Although dew point temperatures this morning are generally in the mid to upper 40s, this push of moisture will increase dew point temperatures into the upper 50s to low 60s by late afternoon. Forecast soundings show little CAPE at first with the very dry air in place, however where the surface dew point temperatures increase and theta-e advection is maximized (generally west of I81), instability should be sufficient enough to support convection with CAPE values increasing to 700 - 1200 J/kg out ahead of the approaching shortwave this afternoon. How far eastward any convection will survive will be dependent on the increase moisture. Latest CAMs may be a little too bullish on how eastward thunderstorms spread this afternoon, as forecast sounding indicate too much dry air generally east of I81, which may be tough to overcome. However, the HRRR shows a line of storms pushing completely across our forecast area from this afternoon through this evening. Definitely will have to do a mesoanalysis later today to check on moisture advection, but for now there is just too much uncertainty to say for sure that storms will be able to hold together all the way from western NY to the Hudson Valley. SPC drew the eastern extent of the Marginal risk line for severe thunderstorms almost directly over the I81 corridor. It should be noted, that 0-6 km shear is only forecast to be 25 to 30 knots, but that may be enough to support some strong winds approaching severe limits, especially if instability can exceed 1000 J/kg of CAPE. All guidance agrees that this system will exit the region overnight, leading to cool and quiet conditions late tonight/early Sunday morning. With the added moisture from the showers and storms as well as skies clearing out some, patchy fog/low stratus may develop. Overnight lows will be in the mid 50s to low 60s, but could be cooler where skies clear the most. Sunday should remain mostly dry through the day, but another shortwave arrives possibly as early as Sunday afternoon. This will kick off another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the vicinity of a stationary front that will aligned west to east across northeast PA. At this time, the Poconos Region to the Catskills will be most likely to see some afternoon storms develop on Sunday. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... 410 AM update... A warm front associated with our next storm system is expected to approach from the south Sunday night, bringing a chance of showers late, especially for our southern and western areas. The main area of low pressure will shift from the Midwest into the Great Lakes Monday and as the low lifts northeastward, the warm front will continue to press north across the CWA putting the entire area into the warm sector. A strong low level jet out of the south-southwest will aid in drawing up plenty of moisture- rich air with PWAT values 1.50-1.75 inches for most. Putting all this together, widespread showers and embedded thunderstorms are expected which can produce locally heavy rainfall Memorial Day. Thunderstorm activity does look limited with CAPE values struggling to get above 500 J/kg but bulk shear is 30-40 knots. With the deep moisture in place, heavy rain with the potential for ponding or even localized flash flooding seems to be the bigger concern, especially in areas that see multiple rounds of rain Monday into Monday evening. The WPC has our area under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall with NE PA, the Twin Tiers and the Southern Catskills in a slight risk. That area in particular is where the models have been honing in on the highest rainfall totals of generally 1-2 inches. There is still some uncertainty with regards to when the heaviest rain falls, but the best chance is during the afternoon and evening with the heating of the day and along and ahead of the cold front associated with this storm that will be pressing eastward in the afternoon and evening. Drier, cooler air will filter in behind the front and shower activity will taper off later Monday night. Highs Monday are expected to be mostly in the 70s, with some of the higher elevations, mainly in the Catskills, stuck in the upper 60s. Lows Monday night will be in the 50s to near 60 degrees. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... 410 AM update... As the low pressure system departs to the northeast into Canada, a broad upper trough will settle in over the region Tuesday through Thursday with a few embedded shortwaves rotating through. This will keep the area unsettled with a chance of additional showers. Shower chances will be highest during the afternoon hours during peak heating. Instability is expected to be pretty limited so the risk for thunder is low during this time. The upper trough starts to shift to the east late in the week and a drier trend is expected. With a cool, northwest flow in place much of this time, a downward trend in temperatures is expected. Highs Tuesday are expected to range from the upper 60s to mid 70s. Wednesday and Thursday will be in the 60s, and parts of the area Thursday may do no better than the low 60s. Widespread 40s are expected for lows Wednesday and Thursday nights. Temperatures are expected to slowly moderate late in the week as the trough moves off the coast. && .AVIATION /12Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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Mostly VFR conditions expected through the period. There will be a chance for late afternoon and evening showers/thunderstorms across the region with the highest confidence in TS at ITH, ELM, and BGM. After any showers or storms push through, expecting VFR conditions until early Sunday morning when MVFR to IFR fog and ceilings will be possible. Outlook... Sunday...Morning fog, otherwise mainly VFR expected. Monday through Wednesday... Restrictions possible with scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially on Monday and into Tuesday.
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&& .BGM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...MPK NEAR TERM...MPK SHORT TERM...DK LONG TERM...DK AVIATION...MPK