Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
400 FXUS61 KRNK 171826 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 226 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will cover the region through the end of the week. This will result in unseasonably warm temperatures and a limited chance of showers and thunderstorms. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 2 PM EDT Monday... Key messages: - Warm and humid this afternoon with some scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly across the mountains. - Potential exists for locally heavy rain where showers and storms do occur. - Less activity and more confined to the north for Tuesday. Some expected convective triggering has initiated as thought in the last few hours mainly across the mountains. Storm motion so far has mainly been slow to meandering a bit clockwise near the northern extent of the upper ridge center. With relatively high PWATs near or a bit above 1.5 inches, storm development will have the main threats of localized heavy rainfall and some strong downdraft winds due to hydrometeor loading and increased precip efficiency. CAM consensus so far was pretty accurate with the onset of activity and it should largely wane by sunset this evening. For tonight, any locations that receive precip late this afternoon into evening could have some patchy fog development due to increase low level moisture. Tuesday should have less shower/storm coverage and more confined to the northern CWA as the moisture axis looks to shift due to the parent upper ridge having some strengthening and a bit more NW slight progression. Max temps Tuesday could bump up a degree or so higher than what was forecast this afternoon especially with perhaps less cu field/storm potential and coverage.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 1230 PM EDT Monday... Key Message: 1) Confidence is high for conditions to become hot and dry as this week progresses. Surface high pressure situated well offshore will provide a southeasterly flow across the Mid Atlantic throughout this forecast period. Meanwhile, an impressive upper level ridge will maintain control over the East Coast and suppress any chances of rain. Temperatures should slowly trend upward during this time with afternoon highs reaching the 80s for most locations along and west of the Blue Ridge and the lower 90s across the Piedmont. While the hottest air stays to the north by Thursday, it will still feel like summer has arrived. Make sure to have plenty of fluids, sunscreen, and ways to stay cool as it becomes hotter by the end of this week.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 1230 PM EDT Monday... Key Messages: 1) Confidence is high for hot and dry weather on Friday. 2) The chance of showers and thunderstorms should increase during the weekend and into Monday. Friday and Saturday will mark the peak of this heat wave across the Mid Atlantic as an upper level ridge maintains control. Heat indices could reach the mid to upper 90s along and east of a line from Danville to Lynchburg. An upper level trough will enter the northern Plains on Friday and approach the Great Lakes during the upcoming weekend. The ridge should begin to weaken, which would allow for increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms as a cold front approaches the Appalachian Mountains. While there is still notable model uncertainty at this point, the cold front appears to arrive sometime during Sunday night into Monday.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 225 PM EDT Monday... Some scattered SHRA/TSRA near the mountain sites this afternoon that could bring some VRB gusts and reduced VSBYs, otherwise mainly cu field in 3500-5000 ft range. Precip should diminish close to sunset then could have some lingering alto/cirrus into tonight. Patchy MVFR cigs or reduced vsbys from fog could occur Tuesday morning, but not confident in location. KLWB could have the greater chance for lower cigs/vsbys (possibly LIFR). Less chance of showers/storms Tuesday and more confined to the north so left mention out of TAFs. Could have FEW/SCT cu field during the day near 3500-5000 ft again. Winds mainly light and VRB this afternoon except for possible gusts from storms. Overnight winds mainly calm, then Tuesday should be SE 5-7 kts. Confidence in the above aviation scenario is moderate. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... High pressure will cover the region this week. Aside from some morning river fog in the mountain valleys, conditions are expected to be primarily VFR. The chance of showers and thunderstorms will be low through Friday.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...NF/WP NEAR TERM...AB SHORT TERM...PW LONG TERM...PW AVIATION...NP/AB