Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV

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423 FXUS61 KRLX 030754 AFDRLX AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 354 AM EDT Mon Jun 3 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Possible mountain showers and storms this afternoon and evening. Warmer with a brief dry spell for most Monday into Tuesday, before unsettled weather returns by mid-week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 145 AM Monday... Relatively settled day with some exceptions. It may be partly unsettled this afternoon due to the elevated heat effect across the mountains which will promote some shower and storm potential during the afternoon and into the evening. Outside the mountains, the lowlands should stay relatively dry, but cannot rule out a rogue shower or storm, but probability was too low to add into the forecast at this time. Soundings look fairly good with plenty of instability, high DCAPE and High PWATs to support diurnal convection, but a small cap may suppress the potential for thunderstorm activity outside the mountains. Most of the instability will be wasted due to weak surface high pressure and ridging aloft. Hi-res and short term models have most of the potential activity across the mountains except for the NAM12 and NAM4K, therefore took a blend of the previous forecast and newer guidance along with making some custom tweaks for POPs and thunderstorm probability to account for the NAM12 and NAM4K being aggressive. However, that is a hint that there may be some rogue storms outside the higher elevations, therefore confidence is slightly low for placement of storm potential under this semi-dirty high pressure system. Made a model blend for temperatures which equated to about a degree or two lower than central guidance for the daytime highs and lows. Mid 70`s to low 80`s are expected for the lowlands and upper 60`s to mid 70`s for the mountains. For lows tomorrow morning expect around low 60`s for the lowlands and mid to upper 50`s for the mountains. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
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As of 335 AM Monday... Tuesday brings warmer, mainly dry weather, as surface high pressure gives way to southerly flow, and mid-upper level ridging crosses. Elevated heat source diurnal convection is again possible over the mountains. The first of a series of weak southern stream short wave troughs ejecting out ahead of a large mid-upper level system over the west-central portion of the continent may bring showers and thunderstorms into the area as early as overnight Tuesday night, with a slight chance depicted. The greater likelihood for showers and thunderstorms is Wednesday, particularly during the afternoon and evening, as the second in the series of short waves crosses in concert with diurnal heating. Despite the favored timing, clouds and showers early in the day limit heating, and 0-6/0-8 km bulk shear is forecast in the 15-25 kt range, perhaps climbing above 30 kts after sunset Wednesday night. Thunderstorms could be strong Wednesday afternoon amid 2500-3500 J/Kg surface-based CAPE well through the hail growth layer, with the equilibrium level all the way up around h15, but severe weather potential is low unless we could realize better shear before sunset. PW values climb to the neighborhood of 1.75 inches Wednesday afternoon, about as high as it gets in this area this time of year, so heavy downpours are also possible, with a local high water threat wherever heavier thunderstorms hit urban or other low lying, sensitive areas. Shower and thunderstorm coverage decreases west to east after sunset Wednesday night, particularly as one last southern stream short wave and a surface trough/weak cold front cross. Central guidance reflects above normal temperatures, with negligible if any cooling with the trough/frontal passage Wednesday night.
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&& .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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As of 350 AM Monday... The large mid-upper level system over the west-central portion of the continent shifts east, setting up a long wave trough in the east/ridge in the west pattern for the latter half of the week. This brings cooler weather, backing us into spring as we pull within two weeks of the summer solstice. Full discussion to follow shortly. As of 1135 AM Sunday... A cold front will be approaching from the west Thursday, which can trigger additional showers and thunderstorms. Models show the high PWAT air exiting the area to the east early Thursday morning ahead of the front, which may mitigate the threat for flooding. However, that still remains uncertain at this time. Showers and thunderstorms are expected through Thursday evening. High temperatures Thursday will likely be in the lower to mid 80s. Although the cold front is expected to cross the area Thursday, models are showing a large upper-level low lingering over the Great Lakes into next weekend. Because of this, we included chances for showers each afternoon. The low heights aloft will keep temperatures somewhat cooler, with highs expected to be in the upper 70s to near 80 in the lowlands through the weekend. Mountains will be even cooler with highs in the low to mid 70s. There will be times of sunshine, but energy rotating around the upper low will keep some clouds around.
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&& .AVIATION /07Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
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As of 130 AM Monday... Outside some fog this morning, which will break up slightly longer than usual since the fog development was from rainfall activity, it will take slightly longer to dissipate than the usual valley fog. VFR will then takeover by late morning with chances of showers and storms near EKN/BKW, but probability is fairly low. A Cu field will likely develop during the afternoon, but will be more heavily noticeable along the mountains. Winds will be very light due to high pressure slackening the pressure gradient. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium to high. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: VIS restrictions may vary from the forecast this morning. EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION: H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS. L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. DATE MON 06/03/24 UTC 1HRLY 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 EDT 1HRLY 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 CRW CONSISTENCY M M M M M M M L L H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H M M M H H M M H M H BKW CONSISTENCY M M M H H H M M H H H M EKN CONSISTENCY M L L L L L L L H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY M L L L L L L M H H M M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H M H M M H H M AFTER 06Z TUESDAY... Brief IFR conditions are possible in showers and thunderstorms at times Wednesday into Thursday.
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&& .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...TRM/JZ NEAR TERM...JZ SHORT TERM...TRM LONG TERM...JMC/TRM AVIATION...JZ