167
FXUS61 KBUF 221839
AFDBUF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
239 PM EDT Wed May 22 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will cross the area tonight with periods of showers and
thunderstorms. Some of these storms through this evening may be
strong to severe with strong gusty winds, hail and heavy rain.
Cooler more comfortable weather can be expected Thursday into the
first part of the Memorial Day weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Cluster of convection along pre-frontal trough moving through
western New York this afternoon with some damaging wind reports.
Main axis of instability (SBCAPES 2000 J/kg) shifting inland from
the lakes, focusing on central and southern New York. Axis of
convection along the pre-frontal trough will shift eastward through
the rest of the afternoon into the axis of higher instability. Shear
profiles become increasingly favorable with approaching shortwave
trough. The ongoing convection across western New York should become
better organized as it shifts into the Finger Lakes and north
central New York. Damaging winds and large hail will be the
main threats. Additionally, with precipitable water values in
the 1.50" to 2.00" range the potential for very heavy rain is
likely. While flash flooding isn`t the main concern it can`t be
ruled out.

Second round of convection will move into the region along the
approaching main surface cold front late this evening and overnight.
The expectation is that with waning instability this round of
convection should be less organized, but can`t completely rule out
some isolated severe weather.

Showers and thunderstorms will gradually exit to our east overnight
with some showers linger into the first half of the Thursday
morning, mainly for areas east of Lake Ontario. Clouds will decrease
from northwest to southeast as drier air moves into the region
behind the departing cold front. A cooler, but still above normal
day on Thursday with afternoon highs mainly in the upper 60s to
upper 70s from the higher terrain to the lower elevations
respectively.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Quiet weather expected Thursday night as a ridge approaches with the
region remaining in between synoptic systems on the north and
southeast sides. Lows on Thursday night will dip down to the low to
mid 50s across the entire area. Dry conditions continue Friday as
the ridge axis continue to slowly build over the region.
Temperatures will range from near 70 over the higher terrain east
of Lake Ontario to the upper 70s and lower 80s for the lower
elevations south of Lake Ontario.

Friday night, the ridge will continue to slowly approach and cross
the region. Behind the passing ridge, a warm front approaching from
the Ohio Valley will start to increase the potential for showers
during the second half of the night. There is some timing
uncertainty among guidance with the speed of the ridge crossing the
region. Some models have the ridge moving through slower and showers
not moving in until later in the day on Saturday, while other
forecast guidance is a bit quicker with the showers moving into
western New York a few hours before daybreak.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
There will be a pattern shift into next week as an upper level
trough deepens across the eastern Great Lakes region. This will
bring a period of unsettled weather including the chance for showers
and thunderstorms and cooler weather towards mid-week.

Surface high pressure will lead to dry weather across the forecast
area Sunday. A warm front will approach the region Sunday night and
showers with the chance for thunderstorms will move into the region.
An area of low pressure is forecast to track northwest of the
forecast area Monday through Monday night. The best chance for rain
will be Monday through Monday night as a cold front moves across the
region. There is a risk of a few strong storms Monday, however
confidence is low due to high uncertainty in evolution of this
system. Confidence is higher that cooler air will move into the
region for Tuesday and Wednesday. It will feel much cooler due to
the recent warm stretch, however temperatures will be only a few
degrees below normal.

There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday and
Wednesday due to an upper low nearby. The best chance will be in the
afternoon through early evening.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
A pre-frontal trough will move through the region through early
this evening keeping the likelihood for showers and
thunderstorms. Some of these storms may be strong to severe
producing strong gusty winds, hail, and very heavy rain. With
any of the showers or storms brief restrictions will be possible
at area terminals.

Showers and storms will continue into this evening and tonight as
the cold front arrives and then works east through the area.

Outlook...
Thursday and Friday...Mainly VFR.
Saturday...VFR/MVFR with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Sunday and Monday...Mainly VFR.

&&

.MARINE...
Modest south to southwest winds continue into this evening but
conditions will likely remain below small craft levels. That
said...a cold front will approach from the west with showers and
thunderstorms blossoming through this evening. Some of the stronger
storms will have the potential to produce strong gusty winds and
hail.

With the frontal passage tonight showers and storms will diminish
from west to east. After that...surface high pressure will build
into the region for Thursday providing light winds and minimal wave
action as we head towards the Memorial day weekend.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

SYNOPSIS...AR/TMA
NEAR TERM...AR/SW/TMA
SHORT TERM...SW/TMA
LONG TERM...HSK
AVIATION...AR/TMA
MARINE...AR/TMA