Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Graphics & Text |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
762 FXUS61 KRLX 090635 AFDRLX AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 235 AM EDT Thu May 9 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
-- Changed Discussion --
Additional showers and storms today, some becoming strong to severe. A cold front will promote cooler conditions Friday through the weekend.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 235 AM Thursday... A stationary boundary draped through parts of southeast Ohio into north-central West Virginia yields the only sign of lightning in our forecast area at the time of writing. This low-topped convection poses a bit of a hydro concern early this morning as it festers within light flow between 5,000-15,000ft AGL, resulting in relatively slow storm motion to the north. Rainfall rates of 1-2 in/hr within this band amidst tarnished flash flood guidance due to previous activity may cause localized flooding concerns during the predawn hours. Otherwise, the bulk of stronger convection resides well south of the forecast area early this morning, with even stratiform rain now sailing away from our extreme southern zones. Flood Watch for southwest Virginia and McDowell County in West Virginia currently runs until later this morning, but if radar trends hold, very little additional rainfall will sweep through and may pose an election to end the Watch early. Surface low pressure approaching from the west today will promote another dose of showers and storms as it tracks along the stationary boundary. A cold front will gradually clear out the area late tonight, but until then hi-res guidance suggests isolated activity sprouting during the late afternoon/early evening followed by a segmented line of convection drifting southward for the first part of the overnight hours. A few storms could reach strong to severe thresholds, imposing the threat for damaging wind gusts, hail, and a tornado or two. Forecast rainfall amounts are anticipated to be less impactful compared to previous days, but a few isolated spots for flooding concerns could sprout throughout the period given how saturated the ground remains in response to unsettled weather this week.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 200 PM Wednesday... Upper shortwave trough will be moving through the area Friday, with showers, and perhaps an isolated storm. No severe is anticipated. This will be followed by a brief break Friday night before another shortwave drops southeast into the area for Saturday. Somewhat cooler conditions can be expected for the period. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 1215 PM Wednesday... Somewhat cooler conditions can be expected for the period, even on Sunday, as a drier northwesterly flow remains over the area. Overnight low temperatures could even dip into the upper 30s across parts of the mountains Sunday morning. Warmer and dry conditions can be expected for Monday with high pressure, surface and aloft, briefly in control. Weather becomes very unsettled again Tuesday onward, as a low in the southern stream approaches the area. Periods of rain, possibly heavy at times can be expected, and the period will need to be monitored for potential water issues. && .AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 235 AM Thursday... Relatively quiet conditions currently reside at our airfields early this morning amid overnight convection thriving in the Tennessee Valleys and down into the Carolinas. VFR ceilings hold steady early this morning, but should see clouds lower into MVFR after sunrise Thursday morning as showers pass through the area. Could also see a round of afternoon thunderstorms filter through ahead of a cold front, posing the addition of VCTS at a few sites later today. Ceilings lower further down late tonight into Friday morning as the aforementioned cold front sinks to the south and east, leaving behind a plethora of moisture in its wake. IFR cigs grow more likely just before midnight. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of MVFR CIG restrictions early this morning may vary from the forecast. EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION: H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS. L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. DATE THU 05/09/24 UTC 1HRLY 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 EDT 1HRLY 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H M H H H H H M HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H M H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H L H H M H EKN CONSISTENCY H H L L L L H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H L H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H AFTER 06Z FRIDAY... IFR conditions possible in fog and/or stratus Friday morning.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
WV...Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT this morning for WVZ033. OH...None. KY...None. VA...Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT this morning for VAZ003-004.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ SYNOPSIS...SL/MEK NEAR TERM...MEK SHORT TERM...SL LONG TERM...SL AVIATION...MEK