Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA

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337 FXUS62 KFFC 202342 AFDFFC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 742 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 ...New 00Z Aviation Discussion... .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Tuesday) Issued at 227 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 WPC surface analysis reveals a high pressure system centered on the Appalachians. Day Cloud Phase satellite imagery shows cumulus development over the mountains of NE and N-central GA, where CAMs are showing orographically-forced showers and possibly isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. So far, convection has not quite initiated, but with SBCAPE at 1500 J/kg across the mountains per SPC mesoanalysis and sufficient low-level and mid- level lapse rates, expect to see some showers develop in the next couple hours with further warming/destabilization. SPC has far north GA outlooked in a General Thunder risk, which makes sense, as strong convection appears unlikely given high pressure, weak ridging aloft, and a relatively drier airmass in place. High temperatures will be in the lower- to mid-80s outside of the mountains, where high temps will be in the 70s. The overnight period will be dry besides the possibility of a few lingering showers across NE and N-central GA. Low temps will be in the 60s. Weak ridging aloft and high pressure at the surface will persist tomorrow (Tuesday). Similar to today, CAMs suggest development of orographically-driven showers and possibly a thunderstorm over the Appalachians tomorrow. Per the HREF, SBCAPE values look to be similar to those today, but with the high pressure setup further establishing itself over the Southeast with continued ridging aloft, convection may have a more difficult time/take longer in the afternoon to initiate. High temps will generally be a few degrees warmer than those today -- in the mid- to upper-80s -- and in the mountains, highs will be in the 70s again. Martin && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday morning through next Sunday) Issued at 227 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 Starting off the long term period with Wednesday, the area will continue to be under the influence of the long wave ridge set up over almost the entire eastern third of the CONUS. This along with the lack of moisture over the area will continue the dry and warm trend over the area. The unfortunate piece to this is that temperature will quickly rise with many area reaching close to 90 which goes in line with the Climate Prediction Center`s 6-10 day outlook showing above normal temperatures. While this ridging is dominating our area, the low pressure system to the west will track into the Great Lakes region, dragging a cold front into Tennessee where it is expected to stall out. While this is happening, the ridging moves off to the east and the flow becomes more zonal over the area which gives way to short bursts of vorticity moving through the overall flow. With the front stalling over Tennessee and the waves sticking to more of north Georgia, the rain chances beginning on Friday will be mainly confined to the northern portions of the area although Saturday showers could reach down into central Georgia. Rain chances have decreased slightly over the weekend but should the front sag any further south then those rain chances would sag south as well. Temps will stay in the upper 80s to low 90s for much of the area through the period with no real relief in sight unfortunately. Hernandez && .AVIATION...
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(00Z TAFS) Issued at 727 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 VFR conditions through the period. FEW/SCT Cigs of 050 to 100 forecast across Northeast and into North Central GA. Could come as far south as ATL, but this is overall unlikely. Winds will be generally light from E and SE during the days through the period, and calm to variable overnight. Some patchy fog may be possible east of MCN between 6Z and 12Z, although this will not likely impact the airport. //ATL Confidence...00Z Update... High all elements. SM
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&& .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 61 86 61 87 / 0 0 0 0 Atlanta 65 86 65 88 / 0 0 0 0 Blairsville 61 80 59 83 / 10 10 0 0 Cartersville 63 86 62 88 / 0 0 0 0 Columbus 63 86 65 88 / 0 0 0 0 Gainesville 64 84 63 85 / 0 0 0 0 Macon 61 86 61 88 / 0 0 0 0 Rome 63 87 64 89 / 0 0 0 0 Peachtree City 61 86 62 88 / 0 0 0 0 Vidalia 63 84 63 88 / 0 0 0 0 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Martin LONG TERM....Hernandez AVIATION...SM