Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Amarillo, TX

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441 FXUS64 KAMA 202015 AFDAMA Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Amarillo TX 315 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM ...
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(This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 314 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 The ridge in the jet stream trough continues over our area through the front half of short term period. A surface low exits our northern zones this afternoon, and another low is expected to form in the low to mid levels of the atmosphere by tomorrow. This low pressure system develops ahead of a trough in the west, and the next upper level pattern change will unfold upon our area by Wednesday. Above average temperatures across the CWA continue to be the main message today. New 12Z NBM values were adjusted slightly to line up better with surface observations, 12Z 850 mb temperatures, and incoming upper level cloud coverage. Generally speaking, most places today will reside in the mid to upper 90`s, while a few locations could see 100 degrees or greater in the Canadian River Valley, Palo Duro Canyon, and the far south eastern Texas Panhandle. While temperatures in the Canyon do not meet criteria for a Heat Advisory, those who have to be outside in those parts are advised to be cautious. Palo Duro is still forecast to reach 103 degrees this afternoon. Tuesday, slightly cooler temperatures are forecast area wide as a surface trough ejects into our area from the west and breezier winds are anticipated with it. With 850 mb temperatures dropping around 26 degrees Celsius for the Panhandles, an array of upper 80`s and lower 90`s are in the forecast. Only minor changes were made from the NBM temperatures. Rangel
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&& .LONG TERM ...
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(Wednesday through next Sunday) Issued at 314 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 An upper level trough moves into the High Plains at the start of the extended period. Once this system moves through, the upper level pattern returns to more zonal flow. 500 mb heights will rise slowly through the rest of the week, but a ridge in the jet stream trough is not expected to fully develop over our area at this time. Wednesday will see surface temperatures return to average values for this time of year thanks to a cold front that will have moved through the whole CWA by the morning hours. Winds will be light to breezy from the north, and partly cloudy skies will settle in. Eventually towards the overnight hours, surface winds will veer to the southeast and remain that way until Thursday afternoon. On Thursday, warm air advection from the south will allow for moisture to return to the area. However, a dryline is expected to set up during the afternoon. So areas that end up west of the trough will experience drier air and southwesterly winds. 12Z NBM guidance and LREF probabilities suggest there is still a 50-70% chance the dryline holds in eastern two stacks of counties in the Panhandles (Beaver to Donley and eastward). Meanwhile the probabilities sharply decrease any further west; (only a 10% for the dryline to hold in Amarillo). Thunderstorms are possible once again ahead of the dryline, but confidence is not high enough to increase PoPs beyond their chance probabilities in our area. After all, there`s still a 30-50% chance the dryline stays well east of our CWA. The primary hazards at this point will likely be large hail and damaging winds. Friday onward, 90 degree temperatures return for the Panhandles and benign weather conditions are anticipated. Current long range guidance does not have us reaching the 100`s again, since the progged upper level pattern won`t support it at this time. We will still monitor for changes as those days get closer. Rangel
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&& .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1243 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 VFR conditions will prevail through the new 18Z TAF period. Some breezy winds may be present at all sites later this afternoon, but those surface winds will diminish by the night time hours. As early as 05Z, but most likely a few hours afternoon midnight, strong low level wind shear is likely at all sites. Speed shear up to 50 kts may be had. These conditions look to persist until the morning hours around 12Z-14Z. Rangel && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
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Amarillo TX 62 90 52 81 / 0 0 0 0 Beaver OK 61 89 51 82 / 0 0 0 0 Boise City OK 56 84 46 78 / 0 10 0 0 Borger TX 64 93 54 84 / 0 0 0 0 Boys Ranch TX 61 90 52 84 / 0 0 0 0 Canyon TX 60 89 52 82 / 0 0 0 0 Clarendon TX 63 90 55 80 / 0 0 0 0 Dalhart TX 54 86 47 80 / 0 0 0 0 Guymon OK 58 87 49 80 / 0 0 0 0 Hereford TX 60 90 51 83 / 0 0 0 0 Lipscomb TX 64 91 54 81 / 0 0 0 0 Pampa TX 64 89 53 80 / 0 0 0 0 Shamrock TX 64 92 56 81 / 0 0 0 10 Wellington TX 65 94 57 83 / 0 0 0 10
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&& .AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. OK...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...55 LONG TERM....55 AVIATION...55