Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA

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402 FXUS62 KFFC 270740 AFDFFC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 340 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 ...Morning Area Forecast Discussion... .SHORT TERM...
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(Today through Tuesday) Issued at 328 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 Strong line of storms continues to progress towards the CWA. Eastern portion of the line in north TN has become very outflow dominate, with outflow boundary rushing ahead of the storms per KOHX. This is good news for much of north GA, as this will undercut most of the severe potential from these storms, though strong gusty winds will remain possible. However, we have seen some development along the western portions of the line in western/central TN with some QLCS structures noted and new development in northern AL with some transient supercell structures. This may push into portions of far NW GA tonight, and as such, a tornado watch is in effect in the far NW counties. These areas remain in an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) through 8am. The expectation is that even if storms enter the area with severe potential, they should begin to wind down pretty quickly. Substantial EML is in place across much of GA around 700 mb, and while a combination of WAA and moisture pooling is keeping temperatures elevated, we have still cooled enough to create substantial capping. This will have impacts on updraft momentum and should lead to weakening of storms despite an otherwise favorable environment. However, still can`t rule out seeing something produce a damaging wind gust as it moves further south into the metro as this all pushes through. Substantial uncertainty remains regarding convective evolution for this afternoon. Morning MCS that pushes into GA is expected to weaken, but effects of it will remain into the afternoon across the area. Cloud cover will likely limit surface heating which may limit instability parameters. We see this play out in the 00Z HRRR for instance, where northern GA and much of central GA only reach the lower 80s for highs, rather than previously forecast upper 80s and lower 90s. But, if cloud cover clears fast, or MCS does not progress as far south, instability will be substantial during the afternoon with MLCAPE values of 1500+ J/kg. There is also some diabatic heating of the upper levels that will have occurred with line, though this may be offset somewhat by advection of some better lapse rates as the upper level shortwave moves by the area. Given we remain on the edge of strong subtropical ridge with wave passing by, strong westerly flow aloft will be in place allowing for 0-6 km shear values of 30-40 kts during the early afternoon. Thinking that given the progression of the MCS, the best chances of a severe storm in the afternoon will be in central GA just ahead of the remnant outflow. Still could see some stronger and possible a severe storm form on the backside of the boundary in north GA and the metro if enough daytime heating can occur. Storms will also have the cold front pushing in to aid in initiation in north GA, though lack of convergence along the front may limit the effectiveness of this. Primary threats will be large hail and damaging winds, though can`t rule out a tornado threat along the outflow boundary if a storm can ingest vorticity along it just right. A Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) is in effect through the afternoon and evening hours. "Cold" front moves through the area into the evening and surges through overnight. This will be less a break from the heat (it`s almost June, welcome to Georgia) and more a break from the higher humidity values as drier air pushes in. Forecast highs are in the 80s and lower 90s for areas outside the mountains. Lusk
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&& .LONG TERM...
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(Tuesday night through Sunday) Issued at 328 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 The extended forecast starts off dry as high pressure slowly builds in from the northern plains and western great lake states. With this ridge and drier airmass will come slightly cooler temps for the middle to the end of the week. Temps Wed through Fri will see highs mainly in the lower to middle 80s. Moisture begins to creep back in for the weekend and could see precip chances move back in for Sat/Sun. 01
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&& .AVIATION...
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(06Z TAFS) Issued at 243 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 VFR to start TAF period. Line of TSRA currently in TN and AL will push into the metro TAF sites later this morning, but expected to be weakening. Best thunder chances represented by TEMPO between 11Z and 15Z. Strong winds may precede thunderstorms at metro TAF sites, with gusts up to 25 kts. Cigs will drop as line pushes through, MVFR expected, though periods of IFR will be possible. Some clearing will happen through afternoon allowing for chance of more afternoon storms, though high uncertainty around these forming. Winds today will be SW, 7-12 kts with gusts up to 20 kts. Front will eventually approach and pass airport, turning winds NW later this evening. //ATL Confidence...06Z Update... Medium afternoon convection potential, high all others. Lusk
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&& .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
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Athens 85 64 88 62 / 50 20 0 0 Atlanta 86 66 88 65 / 50 20 0 0 Blairsville 79 58 79 54 / 80 10 0 0 Cartersville 86 62 86 59 / 60 10 0 0 Columbus 88 68 91 66 / 40 30 0 0 Gainesville 83 65 85 62 / 60 20 0 0 Macon 88 67 90 65 / 40 30 0 0 Rome 86 63 87 60 / 60 10 0 0 Peachtree City 86 64 88 63 / 50 20 0 0 Vidalia 91 71 91 67 / 40 40 10 0
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&& $$ SHORT TERM...Lusk LONG TERM....01 AVIATION...Lusk