Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wakefield, VA

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246 FXUS61 KAKQ 101756 AFDAKQ AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Wakefield VA 156 PM EDT Mon Jun 10 2024 .SYNOPSIS... An upper level trough approaches the area later today, and lingers closer to the coast through Tuesday, bringing isolated to scattered showers and storms. High pressure settles across the region on Wednesday, then pushes off the coast Thursday and Friday, bringing hot conditions to the local area. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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As of 140 PM EDT Monday... Key message: - Isolated showers and storms are possible across far northern portions of the area this evening into early tonight. Current surface analysis depicts a cold front S of the local area with an upper level trough moving towards the East Coast. Temps as of 140 PM were in the upper 70s to lower 80s with dew points in the mid-upper 40s W and 50s SE. An upper level trough to our NW will slowly approach the area later today with a weak surface low developing over central VA. Instability looks about zero through this evening so not expecting any storms through the afternoon. CAMs show just spotty shower development, mainly over the NW by late afternoon. As such have only a slight chance for showers by late afternoon for these areas. Highs today will be cooler, mainly in the mid 80s. By tonight, as the upper low tracks closer to the area, along with weak sfc convergence as a weak surface low and cold front moves through, PoPs increase to ~30% across the N, with 10-20% S. Models show some instability closer to the coast tonight, so will maintain the mention of storms, however, confidence in thunder is quite low. Lows tonight mid 50s NW to mid 60s SE.
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&& .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 400 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: - Isolated to scattered showers or storms mainly near the coast Tuesday. - Dry and seasonable with high pressure Wednesday With the upper low still crossing the region on Tuesday, along with weak sfc low pressure along the coast, expect scattered showers/storms to develop from late Tue morning through Tue afternoon near/along the coast. Raised PoPs to ~50% across NE NC and far SE VA, and to ~40% over portions of the eastern shore. Some locally heavy downpours will be possible, but widespread higher QPF amounts are not expected given poorly organized storms. Highs Tuesday will be slightly below avg, in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Sfc high pressure settles across the region Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing dry conditions. Comfortably cool Tue night with lows mostly in the 50s to lower 60s. Seasonable highs for Wed ranging from the mid 80s inland to near 80F at the coast, with dew pts in the 50s keeping conditions rather pleasant. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 345 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: - Turning hot late in the week but only moderate humidity levels will keep Heat index values near or just slightly above actual air temperatures. - Mainly a dry period with a slight chance for late afternoon/evening showers and storms Friday (most areas), and Saturday (mainly south). An upper level ridge, originating from the SW CONUS, builds east late in the week as an upper trough weakens across eastern Canada. At the surface, high pressure will remain centered along the east coast, gradually sliding offshore. Temperatures will increase into the upper 80s to lower 90s Thursday, with Friday likely the hottest day of the period with deep mixing and 850 mb temperatures rising to 18-19C. Highs Friday looks to average into the mid to perhaps upper 90s well inland across central VA/metro RIC, with low-mid 90s most other places. However, given the continental origin of this airmass, dew pts continue to be fairly low, mixing into the low-mid 60s (or possibly even the upper 50s), which will act to mitigate the heat index from being much warmer than the actual air temp. Heat Advisories look unlikely at this time, with peak heat indices in the mid- upper 90s (perhaps reaching 100F in isolated locations) on Fri afternoon. A cold front moves through Fri night into Sat with temps back in the upper 80s to lower 90s inland by next weekend, and probably into the lower 80s near the coast. Additionally, a few isolated showers/storms are possible Fri evening into early Fri night (across N portions of the FA) as well as Sat afternoon (across NE NC and SE VA). Lows look to be warmest Thu and Fri nights as temps likely won`t drop below 70F in urban locations, with mid to upper 60s over rural interior sections. Lows by Sat night and Sun night will be a bit cooler, with low- mid 60s inland and upper 60s at the coast. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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As of 155 PM EDT Monday... SCT CU have developed across the area this afternoon with VFR CIGs (5000-8000 ft). Expect SCT-BKN CU to linger into tonight with isolated light showers developing across N portions of the FA late this afternoon into tonight, moving E with time. Confidence in any showers reaching RIC or SBY is too low to go with more than VCSH in the TAFs. Additionally, while there is a non-zero chance of thunder tonight, confidence is quite low. As such, have kept VCTS out of the TAFs. Clouds clear late tonight into Tue morning before CU increase in coverage by mid-late morning (especially along the coast). Isolated to scattered storms are expected to develop by early Tue afternoon along a sea breeze across far SE VA/NE NC and the Eastern Shore. Storms may produce small to marginally severe hail as well as strong winds and IFR VIS. The best chance is at ORF/ECG. Any showers/storms taper off by Tue evening. In addition to the convection, CIGs may drop to MVFR briefly Tue morning into early Tue afternoon along the coast (potentially impacting ORF/PHF/ECG). Winds were generally W 5-10 kt this afternoon. Winds become onshore (due to a seabreeze) at ORF and perhaps ECG/PHF later this afternoon before becoming light and variable tonight. Winds become N 5-10 kt Tue, becoming E (due to the seabreeze) along the coast Tue afternoon. Outlook: VFR conditions should prevail with dry weather Tue night through Friday.
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&& .MARINE... As of 330 AM EDT Monday... Key messages: - Sub-SCA prevail through at least mid week, but stronger winds and higher waves will be possible with convection. - Elevated winds and waves possible late in the week ahead of a cold front. - Low rip current risk at all area beaches Monday, potentially trending toward moderate Tuesday across southern beaches. Yesterday`s cold front has pushed offshore as of early morning sfc analysis. Behind it, strong high pressure from central Canada is building toward the Mid-Atlantic. Latest wind obs are showing generally light winds out of the NNW, with a few sites on the eastern side of the Ches Bay showing speeds on either side of 10kt. Wind direction will vary through the day. Winds turn westerly (5- 10kt) during the morning, then development of a sea breeze turns the flow onshore for at least southern coastal waters during the afternoon and evening. A secondary front crosses through the area tonight, turning winds back to the N, becoming 10-15kt before sunrise on Tues. Low pressure is then expected to develop offshore Tues and winds become northeasterly. While the forecast calls for 10- 15kt, can certainly see the potential for slightly stronger winds Tues morning if the low is stronger than modeled. Will note that the local wind probs show less than 10% for sustained winds of 18kt or greater, so SCAs do not seem likely at this point. Periods of isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected with the secondary front and low pressure, which could lead to briefly higher winds and waves/seas. Winds turn light and northerly Tuesday night into Wednesday as the low moves away from the coast and high pressure fills in. High pressure slides offshore Wednesday evening, turning winds to the SE at ~10kt. Elevated winds will be possible ahead of a potential cold front at the end of the week, but looks sub-SCA for now. Seas are around 2ft this morning and waves are 1ft or less. Seas stay at 2ft through Wed, but waves in the bay will increase to 1-2ft with northerly winds Tues morning. Seas may increase to 3-4ft and waves to 1-3ft late in the week ahead of a potential cold front. The rip risk looks mainly low, though may trend toward moderate across srn beaches Tuesday w/ nearshore waves 2-3 ft and NNE winds 10-20 mph. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...LKB NEAR TERM...RMM SHORT TERM...LKB LONG TERM...LKB AVIATION...RMM MARINE...AM