Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC

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696 FXUS62 KRAH 150750 AFDRAH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 350 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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A cold front will cross central North Carolina early this morning, then stall well to our south and east through the weekend.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 310 AM Saturday... Sfc analysis early this morning depicted a backdoor cold front along the NC/VA border. This feature will push south across central NC through early this morning. Behind the front, dew points will quickly crash into the upper 50s/lower 60s through this afternoon. A brief period of post-frontal gusty nnely flow (10 to 20 mph) will be possible this morning before subsiding early this afternoon. H9 flow will be shore-parallel/offshore which should mostly pin any sea- breeze induced convection to the coastal areas. Additionally, the aforementioned front should move south of area before instability can really get going across our area. Thus, expecting mostly dry conditions but can`t rule out a stray shower/storm moving into southern Sampson county later today. Despite the cold front passage, temps will still reach into the upper 80s/lower 90s. Warm overnight lows in the upper 60s are expected again. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 310 AM Saturday... Mid-level ridging will start to build along the east coast Sunday. At the sfc, Saturday`s cold front will remain stalled to our south. As such, mostly dry and hot conditions will persist on Sunday as temps rise again up into the upper 80s/lower 90s. Afternoon convection should largely be confined to the upslope mountain areas. However, a few isolated cells could trickle in the far western Piedmont late afternoon. Overall though, it should be quite dry. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
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As of 310 AM Saturday... The extended period will be largely warm and dry with no significant frontal passages, as central NC is under the influence of an anomalous mid/upper anticyclone that will continue to strengthen, from 594 dam at 500 mb to as much as 600 dam by midweek. Latest guidance is in pretty good agreement on the placement of the anticyclone, with the 00z ECMWF and GFS keeping it centered over our region on Monday before drifting it to the northern Mid-Atlantic and New England from Tuesday through Thursday. Guidance then weakens it slightly but drops it back south to the southern mid-Atlantic coast on Friday. At the surface, high pressure initially centered off the New England coast early in the week will slowly drift south closer to Bermuda by late week, extending west into central NC. This will keep the low-level flow over central NC largely from the SE through the period. Dry air and subsidence from the strong ridging both aloft and at the surface should really suppress any convective development through the period. The main effect in our region from the SE flow should just be some clouds each afternoon, particularly in the west. A few upslope showers and storms may develop each afternoon over the Appalachians, but easterly flow aloft should help pin them close to the mountains, which is backed up by the latest ensemble guidance. The best chance of any drifting east into our western Piedmont is Monday when the mid/upper anticyclone is directly overhead and the flow aloft is weak, but still not enough confidence for any POPs at this time. The ridge may start to break down some by late week, but with the latest guidance bringing it farther south and closer to our region than before, maintain a dry forecast through the period other than slight chance POPs in the far SE on Friday. Temperatures will be slightly above normal through the period, with highs generally in the lower-to-mid-90s and lows in the mid-to-upper- 60s. The good news is models seem in pretty good agreement there will be enough mixing to keep dew points from getting too oppressive, generally lower-to-mid-60s. This will keep heat indices each day very close to the actual air temperatures. Still, with such an extended period of warm temperatures, basic heat precautions should be made, including staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks if you have to be outside in the hottest part of the day.
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&& .AVIATION /06Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 209 AM Saturday... VFR conditions will prevail through the 24 hr TAF period. A backdoor cold front will push through mid-late this afternoon. The passage should be dry, with a brief period of nly sfc gustiness (up to 15 kts) through early afternoon. Sfc flow will subside through the later afternoon period. Outlook: Some early morning stratus could be possible especially at KINT/KGSO Sunday and Monday mornings. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Green NEAR TERM...Luchetti SHORT TERM...Luchetti LONG TERM...Danco AVIATION...Luchetti