Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Knoxville/Tri Cities, TN

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722 FXUS64 KMRX 151454 AFDMRX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Morristown TN 1054 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 ...New UPDATE... .UPDATE...
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Issued at 1031 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 Surface high pressure is building into the area in the wake of a very weak cold front, that is now working its way southward in MS, AL, GA. Slightly drier air should be working its way southward as well, as air from the Ohio Valley (where dewpoints are in the 50s) tries to make its way toward us. Dewpoints in the grids needed to be lower a few degrees into the early afternoon to account the drier air. This will also lower the Heat Index by a few degrees into the early afternoon, but mid to late afternoon grids did not need any adjusting. Temperatures will be hot for sure this afternoon with Chattanooga to Knoxville corridor getting to the mid 90s this afternoon, with the Heat Index getting in the upper 90s in Chattanooga this afternoon. Farther north in the forecast area, it won`t be as bad since some of the cooler drier air has more success filling into those areas, with The Tri-cities area only having Heat Index readings in the upper 80s. However, tomorrow looks to be a step hotter everywhere.
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&& .SHORT TERM... (Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 Key Messages: 1. Warmer today as upper ridge increases across the Tennessee Valley. 2. Mostly dry with limited precip chances across the higher elevations. Discussion: Warm again today, near or slightly warmer than Friday`s temperatures, as a 590 dam 500mb ridge builds across the Tennessee Valley and Southern Appalachians. Subsidence and dry air across northeast Tennessee/southwest Virginia will result in some lower RH values near 30 percent with more humid conditions across southern portions of the forecast area where heat index values will be in the mid to upper 90s. Ridging and subsidence will limit rain chances to 10 percent or less, mainly across higher elevations. Warm and clear tonight with patchy fog near area lakes and rivers. With high pressure and upper ridging, dry weather continues. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through Saturday) Issued at 338 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 Key Messages: 1. Isolated to scattered storms are expected Sunday and Monday, especially along the higher terrain. Highs will reach into the 90s for most areas both days. 2. Drier conditions are expected Tuesday onward with temperatures reaching into the 90s for most areas. Sunday through Tuesday At the start of the period, a 5,920m 500mb high will be centered just to our east with surface high pressure over New England. Surface flow will become more southerly with the recent frontal boundary moving towards the north. This will allow for moisture return and a continuation of hot and humid conditions. The increased moisture, weak forcing aloft, and terrain considerations will support diurnal convection, especially along the higher terrain and further south closer to better moisture. This first run of the CAMs does show pretty decent coverage throughout the day with MLCAPE of 1,000 to 1,500 J/kg. Storms could produce strong winds if they get tall enough, but the coverage and intensity will also depend on the influence of the surface high. On Monday, the 500mb high will strengthen and move over the Mid Atlantic. With lingering moisture and similar thermodynamics, diurnal convection is likely again, especially along the higher terrain. Otherwise, hot and humid conditions will continue with daytime highs certainly dependent on the timing and coverage of convection both days. By Tuesday, the 500mb high will become even more impressive, near 5,980m, as it moves up into New England. Locally, heights will reach or exceed 5,940m, which are near record high values for the time of year. Also, drier air will move in from our east, which will diminish the potential for diurnal convection. This will lead to a very hot day with highs likely reaching well into the 90s area-wide. Wednesday through Friday On Wednesday, 500mb heights will reach or exceed an even more impressive 5,960m over our area. With continued surface high pressure and drier air. Diurnal convection will remain unlikely. This will also help to keep heat index values close to the air temperature values in the 90s. Overall, similar conditions will remain for Thursday and Friday with limited moisture keeping very suppressed chances for diurnal convection. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 602 AM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 High pressure will result in prevailing VFR conditions with light northeasterly winds. Patchy fog along Boone Lake is impacting TRI this morning with tempo LIFR cigs, but impacts will fade by 14z. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
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Chattanooga Airport, TN 96 72 95 75 / 0 0 20 10 Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 92 69 93 72 / 0 0 30 10 Oak Ridge, TN 94 67 93 71 / 0 0 30 10 Tri Cities Airport, TN 90 67 90 69 / 0 0 20 10
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&& .MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...NONE. TN...NONE. VA...NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...GM AVIATION...