Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Burlington, VT

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521 FXUS61 KBTV 021841 AFDBTV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Burlington VT 241 PM EDT Wed Jul 2 2025 .SYNOPSIS...
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A large upper level low will shift southeast on Thursday, which along with a cold front will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday. Cooler and drier weather will move in for July 4th, with pleasant conditions expected. A warming trend starts on Saturday, with highs back into the 90s by early next week.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
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As of 238 PM EDT Wednesday...The focus for this term will be the threat for showers and thunderstorms Thursday. Latest indications are pointing toward scattered strong to marginally severe thunderstorms, capable of producing gusty winds and heavy rainfall. A fairly vigorous upper shortwave trough will track into the Great Lakes tomorrow, while a cold front pushes southeastward toward the Northeast. Moisture will be somewhat limited, but cool temperatures aloft and daytime heating should be enough to allow for at least moderate instability of 800-1200 J/kg. Combined with increasing forcing/lift from the incoming trough, expect showers and thunderstorms to develop by early afternoon, likely first over northern areas, and then shifting south through the day. There`s still some differences in CAM solutions as to how widespread coverage will be and exact timing of the front and a couple of associated surface troughs. Meanwhile, a 50 kt mid-level jet will aid in increasing shear, with 0-6km values of 35 to 45 kt. Note that some CAMs are indicating very steep low-level lapse rates with DCAPE values approaching 1000 J/kg, while others have more moisture and lesser lapse rates, but higher potential for wet microbursts. Regardless, expect gusty winds will be the main threat for any stronger storms. Brief heavy rainfall will also be possible, but activity should be progressive enough to limit any flooding potential. We remain in a Marginal Risk in SPC`s latest Day 2 outlook, which seems reasonable. Even if storms do not become strong/severe, they will still be capable of producing deadly lightning. The main timing for thunderstorms will be roughly 2pm to 7 pm, but note that some additional activity could linger into the evening hours with the final trough/frontal passage, perhaps as late as 10 pm. If you have outdoor plans, please stay weather aware and follow the latest forecast updates. Otherwise, tomorrow should be a little cooler than today, especially in northern areas where shower activity, increased cloud cover, and earlier frontal passage will keep highs in the mid/upper 70s. Elsewhere, highs will be in the low/mid 80s. Also, we`ve noted some wildfire smoke drifting south out of Canada today. It`s mainly been aloft, leading to milky/hazy skies in portions of northern NY. Concentrations look to increase tomorrow, and like today, mainly remain aloft. However, there could be enough near-surface smoke to create hazy conditions at times.
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
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As of 238 PM EDT Wednesday...The upper low will swing by just to our northeast on Friday. Although a couple of showers can`t be ruled out over the Northeast Kingdom, a warm layer above 5000 ft will limit any chance for significant precipitation. Overall, it should be a pretty pleasant Fourth of July though, with partly to mostly sunny skies expected. Highs will be in the 70s, coolest in the Northeast Kingdom and Adirondacks, with northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Clouds will dissipate with sunset and winds will subside, making for a perfect evening for viewing fireworks. Lows will dip into the 50s in most areas, with some of the colder spots getting down into the upper 40s.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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As of 238 PM EDT Wednesday...Focus for the extended forecast will be on heat Sunday and Monday, then a frontal passage later Monday through mid week. Temperatures will continue a warming trend Saturday and Sunday with ridging cresting across the region. Model guidance has largely slowed progression of an approaching wave keeping ridging over the North Country Sunday. Ensembles favor building a sharper ridge and deterministic models also show this trend. As such temperatures were increased back into the upper 80s to mid 90s Sunday. Should this trend continue and the ridge become sharper as some guidance suggest, temperatures may need to be increased further. 50th percentile NBM shows upper 90s for the Champlain Valley. Indeed, the current forecast of 95 at the BTV airport is below the 25th percentile NBM, but generally trending in the most likely direction. Heat will linger Monday as a slow moving front is progged to drop out of Canada. Character of the front remains uncertain, but heat coupled with height falls points to increased shower/thunderstorm chances Monday afternoon through Tuesday. Fortunately, some reprieve from the heat is likely Tuesday into mid week, but without strongly progressive flow aloft, the boundary may slow keeping dew points higher than usual with potential for a few showers lingering as well. Otherwise, tomorrow should be a little cooler than today, especially in northern areas where shower activity, increased cloud cover, and earlier frontal passage will keep highs in the mid/upper 70s. Elsewhere, highs will be in the low/mid 80s. Also, we`ve noted some wildfire smoke drifting south out of Canada today. It`s mainly been aloft, leading to milky/hazy skies over portions of northern NY/VT. Concentrations look to increase tomorrow, and like today, smoke should mainly remain aloft. However, there could be enough near-surface smoke to create hazy conditions at times.
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&& .AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Through 18Z Thursday...VFR conditions will persist for most terminals with about a 20% chance of fog at MSS and MPV overnight. Winds will generally be southerly today with some terrain alignment and channeling for the St Lawrence and northern Champlain Valley. Some gusts 12 to 20kts through 22Z are likely at MSS and PBG. Mainly terrain driven wind flow is expected overnight with lighter winds across the North Country. Increasing clouds 06-12Z should limit fog chances with highest chances in the southern St Lawrence Valley and right along the Connecticut River. After 12Z, rain shower chances increase north to south with 30% chances of showers and isolated thunderstorms 15-18Z. Outlook... Thursday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Independence Day: VFR. NO SIG WX. Friday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Saturday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Saturday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. Sunday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA, Slight chance TSRA. Sunday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Chance SHRA, Slight chance TSRA. Monday: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Chance SHRA, Chance TSRA. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Hastings NEAR TERM...Hastings SHORT TERM...Hastings LONG TERM...Boyd AVIATION...Boyd