Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC

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306 FXUS62 KRAH 231817 AFDRAH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 215 PM EDT Thu May 23 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A warm and humid air mass over our region, combined with the passage of a series of upper level disturbances over the area, will produce unsettled weather through Monday, with daily chances of showers and storms. A drier air mass will arrive by the middle of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 920 AM Thursday... Marginal Risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Satellite and radar data indicate several MCV`s that may affect portions of the region this afternoon and tonight. An initial MCV was producing thunderstorms over portions of NE Tennessee. Another was located in AL/GA and still another approaching the Tennessee Valley region. The CAMS have backed off a bit on convection in central NC this afternoon, holding off until late day and tonight. We are not totally biting off on this scenario due to the forecast CAPE values of 1500 to 2000 j/kg, but we will delay timing slightly and lower initial POP. It appears the best chance of thunderstorms will be in the NW associated with the initial wave in the afternoon. This will be followed by the additions waves and potential convection later in the and tonight. Highs in the mid to upper 80s NW and upper 80s to lower 90s elsewhere. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 200 PM Thursday... Confidence for Friday continues to be low with inconsistency for timing and coverage. An upper level shortwave is expected to move across the region bringing plenty of moisture through out the atmosphere with PW values around 1.60 inches, which is slightly above the daily average. Marginal to moderate CAPE across much of the region especially in the southern half of the CWA mixed with temps in the mid/upper 80s and dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s could result in a few isolated to scattered storms developing across the region in the afternoon and early evening. It is not expected to be a complete wash out across the region but some storms could become strong and slow moving. For now, keeping chance pops this afternoon and continuing overnight for showers and isolated storms, but again, confidence of this is low. Overall, some breaks in the clouds during the first half of the day, increased cloud coverage and chance of storms second half of the day and continuing into overnight. High will range from mid 80s in the north to upper 80s in the south. Lows will generally be in the mid to upper 60s. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
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As of 215 PM Thursday... A wet pattern continues through much of the long term as daily chances for showers and storms are expected Saturday through Wednesday. Best chance for showers and storms will be Saturday as a trough slowly moves across the region. SPC has the entire FA in a Marginal threat (level 1/5) for severe storms to develop. As the tough moves east, most of Sunday is expected to be dry as the surface frontal boundary resides to the north over the OH valley. A few showers could begin to develop in the late afternoon Sunday (especially in the NW Piedmont) ahead of the frontal boundary moving across the MS valley. By Monday, expect an upward trend in PoPs through at least Tuesday as the front is expected to move across the state. Timing difference between the long range models vary from early Tuesday to late Tuesday. The timing is expected to affect strength and coverage of showers and storms as well as temperatures. As the front moves offshore, Wednesday and Thursday is expect to be dry as high pressure builds across the Mid-Atlantic region. Temperatures in the long term start off above average with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. As the front sweeps through the region temperatures will flip and become a few degrees below average with highs in the low to mid 80s mid week.
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&& .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
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As of 206 PM Thursday... Generally VFR conditions are expected through tonight. There is chance of a shower or thunderstorm that could produce brief MVFR to IFR conditions, mainly this afternoon and evening. A brief shower can not be ruled out overnight. Late tonight, patchy fog and low stratus are possible near FAY tonight into Fri morning, but given inconsistencies in prior convection this threat also includes low predictability. Looking ahead: Primarily diurnally driven showers/storms will be possible at all terminals Fri through Mon, with the highest chances on Saturday and Monday afternoon and evenings.
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&& .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Hartfield NEAR TERM...Badgett SHORT TERM...CA LONG TERM...CA AVIATION...Badgett/Swiggett