-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
135
FXUS61 KAKQ 260854
AFDAKQ

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
454 AM EDT Sun May 26 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
A warm front followed by a cold front will affect the area
this afternoon through Monday night, bringing additional rounds
of showers and storms and potential severe weather Monday. An
upper trough brings cooler and comfortable weather to end the
week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 415 AM EDT Sunday...

Key Message:

- Isolated to scattered showers and storms this afternoon
  through tonight.

Early this morning, latest radar showed isolated showers or
tstms over portions of the VA nrn neck and the Lower MD ern
shore. They will continue to weaken and dissipate in the next
hour or two. Otherwise, the sky ranged from clear to mostly
cloudy across the region, with some areas of fog and stratus.
Temps were ranging from the mid 60s to around 70.

Very warm and humid today under a partly to mostly sunny sky.
Highs will be mainly in the mid to upper 80s (near 80/lower 80s
near the coast). There are a few factors that favor slightly
higher convective coverage and perhaps intensity for late today .
through this evening. On the synoptic scale, slightly higher
mid-level flow overspreads the area in advance of a shortwave
tracking from the OH River Valley into the Great Lakes. Dew
points will be a degree or two higher than Sat, favoring a more
unstable low-level airmass. Hi-res model output shows MLCAPE
increasing to 1500-2500 J/kg away from the eastern shore with
~20 kt of effective shear areawide. The limiting factor early
this aftn will be a lack of any triggering mechanisms. The one
exception are sea breezes which could focus areas of higher
coverage. Toward later this aftn and evening, there is moderate
agreement that some sort of MCS will be moving eastward from
the Appalachia region in association with the upper disturbance.
As this enters into the FA, will need to watch for the potential
for strong wind gusts, esply if it moves in with some lingering
instability. Most CAMs show a considerable weakening trend,
esply as it nears the I-95 corridor and points eastward. SPC
has now put the entire area except the immediate coast in a
Marginal Risk for today. Lingering isolated to sctd showers or a
tstm will be possible overnight into Mon morning. Lows tonight
in the mid 60s to around 70. Patchy fog could also develop
tonight as weak sfc flow continues.

&&

.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 415 AM EDT Sunday...

Key Messages:

- There is a threat of severe weather for Memorial Day (Monday).
Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threats.

Anomalous upper trough slides E for Mon into Mon night. At the
sfc, a strong cold front will approach from the W. There is
increasing concern for severe wx areawide Mon aftn and evening
ahead of this front. It is during this time that 500 mb flow
increases to 40-60 kt and a potent shortwave noses into the
region. Instability will also be in plentiful supply with MLCAPE
well in excess of 2000 J/kg at times. This is not only due to
steep low-level lapse rates and strong sfc instability, but
also because of steep mid-level lapse rates approaching 7-8
C/km. Thinking is that supercells or multicells will initially
be favored (with damaging winds and large hail hazards),
transitioning to a predominantly wind threat, as clusters grow
upscale. SPC has a Slight Risk for just about the entire area
for Mon. The extent and duration of the severe risk will be
dependent on the exact timing (later timing may reduce the
severe threat farther E/SE, as instability wanes). Locally
heavy rain is also likely in any storm. Overall, certainly
worth watching and monitoring the latest updates here and from
SPC, esply with a plethora of scheduled outdoor activities for
the holiday weekend. Outside of storms, highs will be in the
mid to upper 80s most places with dew points in the upper 60s to
lower 70s. Thus, it will feel noticeably muggy. Lows Mon night
in the lower to mid 60s W, to near 70 E/SE.

Much quieter Tue and Tue night with a lingering shower or storm
across the far SE. Highs in the lower to mid 80s under a mostly
sunny sky. Lows Tue night in the upper 50s to mid 60s.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 445 AM EDT Sunday...

Key Message:

- Trending cooler and more comfortable for the middle and end of
next week.

A relatively deep trough will drop into and remain positioned
over the ern CONUS for Wed through at least early next weekend.
Except for a chance of a shower/tstm over the nrn third part
of the area Wed aftn into Wed evening in advance of a shortwave,
dry weather will prevail through the extended period. Highs Wed
in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Comfortable conditions under a
partly to mostly sunny sky expected for Thu and Fri, with highs
in the mid to upper 70s. Lows in the 50s to lower 60s Wed night
and in the 50s areawide Thu night and Fri night. Can`t rule out
some upper 40s across the NW at some point. Mostly sunny on Sat
with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s.
-- End Changed Discussion --

&&

.AVIATION /09Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 300 AM EDT Sunday...

There is a good possibility of fog and low stratus development
twd morning. The highest coverage will be at the coastal TAF
sites and IFR/LIFR restrictions look likely at ORF/PHF/ECG/SBY.
Expect rapid improvement after 9 AM/13z this morning. Sctd
showers/storms will again be possible this aftn into this
evening, with highest confidence at RIC. Could again see fog or
low stratus tonight.

Outlook: A higher coverage of showers and storms (some of which
could be severe) is expected Mon through Mon evening. Outside
of storms, expect mainly VFR conditions.

&&

.MARINE...
As of 425 AM EDT Sunday...

- Dense marine fog possible this morning in the lower Chesapeake
  Bay and offshore of the Atlantic coast.

- Chances for showers and storms this afternoon and evening and
  again tomorrow (Memorial Day) afternoon and evening.

Bermuda high pressure remains in place just offshore early this
morning, with a weak lee trough just inland. Light winds continue
over the local area, mainly SSE 5-10 kt with waves 1 ft or less and
seas 1-2 ft. Some isolated showers and storms early this morning,
which should diminish by sunrise. Some additional late day and
evening showers and storms will be possible, mainly along the
afternoon seabreeze. Winds turn E-SE this afternoon ~10-15 kt,
with highest winds in the lower and middle bay.

Similar conditions tonight and early Monday. A cold front approaches
the area on Monday, associated with a deepening low pressure center
over the Great Lakes. Tightening pressure gradient will allow S-SW
winds to increase out ahead of the front. Winds could briefly
approach SCA criteria Monday afternoon and evening in the lower Bay
and coastal waters, with E-SE wind wave potentially pushing
some 5 footers across northern and central coastal zones Monday
night. Some Marine Warnings may also be needed as strong to
severe storms could potentially cross the region tomorrow night.
The front will slow down or stall over the waters Monday night
before getting pushed through Tuesday morning/afternoon. Winds
veer around to the NW behind the front on Tuesday into midweek.
A second, reinforcing shot of cooler and drier air could bring
another period of stronger northerly winds late Wednesday night
into Thursday.

Low Rip Risk on area beaches today, with a moderate rip risk for
northern beaches on Monday with building seas and more of a shore
normal component to wave energy.

&&

.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...None.
VA...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

SYNOPSIS...TMG
NEAR TERM...TMG
SHORT TERM...SW/TMG
LONG TERM...SW/TMG
AVIATION...TMG
MARINE...AJB/MAM