Area Forecast Discussion Issued by NWS Wakefield, VA
000
FXUS61 KAKQ 120128
AFDAKQ
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
Issued by National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
928 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
An approaching cold front will bring widespread showers and a
few thunderstorms tonight. A breezy south wind is expected
ahead of the front this evening, with the wind shifting to west
and remaining breezy Friday and Saturday behind the cold front.
A considerable warming trend is expected Sunday into early next
week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
As of 930 PM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages:
1) Breezy conditions continue tonight ahead of an approaching
cold front, especially along the coast.
2) Additional showers and a few embedded thunderstorms will move
across the area this evening into the early morning hours Friday
as the cold front crosses the region.
3) A few storms may be strong to severe this evening.
A ~991mb low now centered over Ohio this evening with attendant
cold front pushing across the Blue Ridge this evening. A line
of strong to severe pre-frontal storms currently stretching from
approx RNK-GSO-MEB which will lift NE across the FA through
around 07z which may warrant a Tornado Watch to be extended
into parts of central VA this evening. Forecast update mainly
captures precip trends. Continue wind advisory for the Eastern
Shore for gust potential up to 50 mph.
Previous discussion...A ~994mb low was located along the border
of IN/OH this afternoon with an occluded front located across
SC where greater moisture exists. This front is expected to lift
N later this afternoon into this evening, tracking across the
local area this evening. Meanwhile, the cold front lags behind
and crosses the FA late tonight. Temps as of 240PM ranged from
the mid 60s to the lower 70s across the area with afternoon
highs a degree or two higher. Meanwhile, S winds 15-20 mph with
gusts to 25-30 mph increase into this evening (particularly
along the coast and along the Eastern Shore). Winds this evening
may gust to 40-45 mph this evening into the early overnight
hours along the coast and the Eastern Shore. The best chance is
across the Eastern Shore where a Wind Advisory has been issued.
Scattered light showers continue to lift N across the FA this
afternoon and will continue to increase in coverage late this
afternoon into this evening. Have trended PoPs down some this
afternoon given less coverage on radar than models had
previously shown. This is largely due to deeper convection
along/off the SE coast keeping the better moisture cut off from
the local area. Nevertheless, this still looks like a high PoP
low QPF day with rounds of showers lifting N into tonight.
Instability is limited and shallow with the initial showers this
afternoon. However, the buoyancy looks more robust this
evening/early tonight behind the initial showers (500-1000 J/kg
MLCAPE). Given this, the better chc of tstms is likely late this
afternoon into this evening (coinciding with more substantial
500mb height falls). Wind fields will be strong just off the
surface and well into the conditionally unstable layer.
Therefore, the main threat with any tstms will be strong to
damaging wind gusts. However, CAMs are hinting at a greater
corridor of CAPE/Shear overlap across W central NC later this
afternoon, spreading NE into the SW/S portions of the FA this
evening into tonight. Some semi-discrete convection is possible
in this corridor with a low potential for an isolated tornado
given plenty of SRH in the low levels. SPC has maintained a
marginal risk with the slight risk area encroaching on the NW
corner of the CWA. The greatest threat for the local area looks
to be between 8PM-12AM with a lower threat continuing until ~2
AM. There will likely be a break in the precip overnight before
more scattered light showers develop late tonight along the cold
front. QPF has trended lower with totals now expected to range
from 0.25-0.5". Showers taper off from SW to NE late tonight
with lows in the mid 50s W to around 60F E expected.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
As of 315 PM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages:
1) Continued breezy Friday and Saturday with scattered afternoon
showers (and isolated tstms) Friday as an upper level trough
tracks across the area.
The upper level system swings through Friday with scattered
showers expected to develop Fri afternoon. The cooler air
aloft will allow for a well-mixed environment with breezy
conditions through the day. A WSW wind of 15-25 mph with gusts
30-40 mph across the area are expected Friday. Given steep lapse
rates, enough instability aloft will be present for locally
strong wind gusts and perhaps some graupel with stronger
convection. A few tstms are also possible. Showers quickly taper
off Friday evening with the loss of sunlight, however,
conditions will remain breezy Friday night. Highs in the mid-
upper 60s W to lower 70s E Friday with lows Friday night in the
mid 40s W to around 50F E. Mostly sunny, dry, and breezy
Saturday with a W wind of 15-25 mph with gusts to 30-35 mph
again expected. Highs Saturday in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 325 PM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages:
1) Very mild weather is expected through the week with highs in
the 80s each day.
A warming trend (potentially substantial) commences Sunday
through late next week as an upper ridge over the central CONUS
builds E. There is good model consensus for 850mb temperatures
of 12-14C by Sunday, which may drop down slightly by Monday as a
trough swings by well to our N, before rising back to 14- 16C
by Tuesday/Wednesday. Highs in the upper 70s to around 80F Sun
(apart from low-mid 70s across the Eastern Shore). Highs
increase to the low-mid 80s Mon-Wed with mid-upper 80s possible
by Thu. Lows will be chilly Sat night in the mid 40s for most
(lower 40s across rural portions of the FA and around 50F along
the coast). Otherwise, lows in the 50s to lower 60s each night
in the extended.
&&
.AVIATION /01Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 9 PM EDT Thursday...
A ~991mb low pressure centered over Ohio this evening will lift
into Ontario overnight with the attendant cold front crossing
the FA between 06-12z. Widespread MVFR cigs across rtes this
evening but greater probs of of IFR in heavier showers/storms
that push through later this evening through around 05-07z,
later timing for the Eastern Shore. Guidance showing SBY with
the highest probs for pred IFR through roughly 08z. Scattered
showers will increase in coverage this evening from S to N
with embedded thunderstorms possible, highest chance between
8PM to 12AM. Showers taper off from SW to NE late tonight.
Additional scattered gusty showers will be possible Fri
afternoon. Winds generally S 20-25 kt with gusts to 35-40 kt
along the coast and over SBY this evening. Winds become SW late
tonight, increasing to 20 kt with gusts to 30-35 kt Fri
afternoon. Dry and VFR Sunday and Monday.
&&
.MARINE...
As of 300 PM EDT Thursday…
Key Messages:
1) An approaching cold front brings strong southerly winds by
later this evening and tonight. Gale warnings are in effect
for the ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, and Currituck Sound. Strong
SCAs are in effect for the rivers.
2) Winds remain strong and gusty from the W/SW Friday through
early Saturday afternoon (SCAs will be needed).
Strong low pressure is lifting NE through the OH Valley this
afternoon, and will continue to deepen to <990mb tonight
across the eastern Great Lakes. Seas have increased to 4-5 ft,
and waves in the Bay are up to ~3 ft. As a strong southerly LLJ
overspreads the area this evening (peaking at 60-70 kt around
06z Friday), winds are forecast to increase in response to these
features with most guidance and forecast soundings supporting
25-30 kt winds with gusts to 35-40 kt (highest over the Ocean N
of Cape Charles). Have upgraded to Gale Warnings for the
remainder of Chesapeake Bay. Seas build to 6-9 ft S of Cape
Charles and 8-12 ft N of Cape Charles. Waves in bay increase to
3-5 ft given the southerly fetch (up to 5-6 ft at the mouth of
the Bay. Should note that there will likely be a few rounds of
(shallow) convective activity during this period which could
lead to locally enhanced gusts, especially later this evening
into early Friday morning. SMWs may be necessary for areas
outside of the Gale warnings (for the rivers) should this
scenario be realized. Gales drop off for the Currituck Sound and
mouth of the Bay at 1 AM/5z Fri and for the coastal waters at 4
AM/8z Fri. These gales will eventually need to be replaced w/
SCAs as winds turn to the WSW 15-25 kt behind the front for most
of Friday. Deep mixing is expected over land areas Fri aftn
with gusts to 30 kt at land/water interfaces and over the tidal
rivers. Seas slowly subside Fri with the offshore winds and
become 5-7 ft. A secondary front crosses the waters Fri
evening/night. Another surge in winds is expected along and
behind this front, with winds becoming W 20-25 kt (with gusts to
around 30 kt) Fri night into early Sat afternoon. A similar
setup s to Fri afternoon is expected Sat afternoon with the
gustiest winds over the tidal rivers.
Sub-SCA winds return Saturday night through most of Sunday as
high pressure situates over the southeast CONUS. A much more
benign sea state is also expected with seas dropping off to 2-3
ft (1-2 ft waves). SW winds may then briefly increase again to
near SCA thresholds Sun night into Mon morning.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
As of 315 PM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages/Headline Summary:
A significant southerly surge brings a good chance for moderate
to major flooding in the upper bay late tonight into Friday
morning. Current tide forecasts have water levels reaching major
thresholds at Bishops Head (and near major at Cambridge), with
moderate flood at Crisfield. The coastal flood watch has been
converted to a coastal flooding warning for the potential of ~2
ft of inundation in these locations. Coastal Flood Advisories
have been issued for minor flooding along the north side of the
Albemarle Sound and southern VA Beach Thursday/Thursday night,
as well as for the middle Peninsula/northern Neck/VA Eastern
Shore.
&&
.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...Wind Advisory until 4 AM EDT Friday for MDZ021>025.
Coastal Flood Warning from midnight tonight to noon EDT Friday
for MDZ021>023.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 AM EDT Friday for MDZ024.
High Surf Advisory until 10 AM EDT Friday for MDZ025.
NC...Coastal Flood Advisory until 6 AM EDT Friday for NCZ015>017-
032-102.
VA...Wind Advisory until 4 AM EDT Friday for VAZ099-100.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 AM EDT Friday for VAZ099.
High Surf Advisory until 10 AM EDT Friday for VAZ099-100.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 6 AM EDT Friday for VAZ098.
Coastal Flood Advisory from midnight tonight to 8 AM EDT
Friday for VAZ075>078-085-521-522.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 5 AM EDT Friday for VAZ100.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 1 AM EDT Friday for ANZ630>634.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT Friday for ANZ635>638.
Gale Warning until 4 AM EDT Friday for ANZ650-652-654-656-658.
&&
$$
SYNOPSIS...RMM
NEAR TERM...RMM/SEK
SHORT TERM...RMM
LONG TERM...RMM
AVIATION...RMM/SEK
MARINE...LKB
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...AKQ