Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA

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781 FXUS61 KRNK 281844 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 244 PM EDT Tue May 28 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Low pressure will cross the Ohio Valley tonight and Wednesday pushing a cold front through the Mid Atlantic region along with isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Dry and cooler high pressure will build in behind this front for Thursday and Friday with below normal temperatures. The next chance of late in the weekend.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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As of 215 PM EDT Tuesday... Key message: - Isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and evening Two short wave coming through the northeast United States long wave trough. The first crosses the region this evening and the next on Wednesday. A jet streak with each short wave will provide some upper diffluence and some colder air aloft will increase lapse rates. Southeast West Virginia and the Alleghany Highlands are on the southern fringe of the area of lift. Downslope flow and mid level dry air will keep extent of and showers and thunderstorms limited east of the Blue Ridge. Getting deep enough mixing today for some wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph and models were also showing the potential for similar wind speeds Wednesday afternoon. The wind backs to the west ahead of the wave Wednesday then shift to the northwest behind the front by the end of the day. The air mass behind the front will again low surface dew points, with DESI indicating a 75-100 percent chance that dew points in the mountains will be in the 40s by late afternoon Wednesday. No significant changes to minimum and maximum temperatures needed.
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&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 PM EDT Tuesday... Key Messages: 1. Scattered showers in the mountains Wednesday and Thursday, otherwise dry through the period. 2. Below normal temperatures. A large upper low will be centered over eastern Canada through the end of the workweek. A shortwave will rotate through the base of the trough Wednesday night, which may spark some scattered showers in the western mountains, though this activity will quickly wane after sunset with the loss of daytime heating. Another wave traverses the trough Thursday afternoon, and could bring additional chances of showers, though most of the shower activity at this time looks to be much farther east, near coastal VA and NC. The drier airmass over the region will help to limit any showers in the area. A broad area of surface high pressure will build in as the trough axis shifts east of the area by late Thursday and through Friday, which will keep Friday dry. The surface high that will become situated overhead builds in from the north, bringing a cooler and drier airmass to the region. Winds will be generally northwesterly through the forecast period, but turn easterly as the high moves in. Below normal temperatures, northwesterly winds, and lower dewpoints will make it feel cool for the end of the month. Lows will be in the 40s and 50s, possibly dropping into the low 40s for the typical cold spots by Friday morning. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 130 PM EDT Tuesday... Key Messages: 1. Temperatures on a warming trend, and dry weather through the weekend. 2. Rain chances increase by Sunday and into next work week. Surface high pressure will be settled over much of the eastern US through most of the weekend, moving eastward and offshore by late Sunday. Mid level flow transitions to more zonal by Sunday, with a shortwave trough expected to move along it and into the area late in the weekend, while an area of surface low pressure heads eastward into the northern Mid Atlantic. Return flow off the Atlantic from the high as it tracks eastward will increase moisture in the region, and with the passage of the shortwave, expecting chances for showers and possible thunderstorms to return to the area by Sunday afternoon. Chances for afternoon showers and storms continue Monday and Tuesday, though confidence is lower on timing and coverage, given the spread in the long range deterministic guidance. Subsidence from the surface high and ample daytime heating will start temperatures on a warming trend through the forecast period, and highs are expected to climb back to seasonal normals, in the 70s to 80s, and lows in the 50s to 60s. && .AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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As of 240 PM EDT Tuesday... VFR expected through the TAF forecast period Two short wave coming through the northeast United States long wave trough. The first crosses the region this evening and the next on Wednesday. A jet streak with each short wave will provide some upper diffluence and some colder air aloft will increase lapse rates. Southeast West Virginia and the Alleghany Highlands are on the southern fringe of the area of lift. Only place precipitation was mentioned in the local TAFs was a VCSH at KLWB. Downslope flow and mid level dry air will keep extent of and showers and thunderstorms limited east of the Blue Ridge. Getting deep enough mixing today for some wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph and models were also showing the potential for similar wind speeds Wednesday afternoon. The wind backs to the west ahead of the wave Wednesday then shifts to the northwest behind the front. Average confidence for ceiling, visibility and wind. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... VFR tonight through much of the week. Patchy fog with periods of MVFR/LIFR will be possible in the mornings near mountain and river valleys. The next chance of precipitation and MVFR conditions come in late in the weekend.
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&& .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...AMS NEAR TERM...AMS SHORT TERM...AS LONG TERM...AS AVIATION...AB/AMS