Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Burlington, VT

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409 FXUS61 KBTV 140207 AFDBTV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Burlington VT 1007 PM EDT Thu Jun 13 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front moving through the Great Lakes this afternoon will bring a period of showers and possibly thunderstorms to our region late tonight into Friday with localized stronger storms possible in far southern Vermont early Friday afternoon. Cool and dry air filters in for the weekend, but by Monday, warm and moist air will shift back into the region. Temperatures warming into the upper 80s to mid 90s is expected by the middle of next week. In conjunction with high dewpoints and warm overnight conditions, heat impacts are likely next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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As of 1003 PM EDT Thursday...A line of showers and thunderstorms is rapidly approaching from the west. This line is expected to move into the St. Lawrence Valley right around 11 PM, give or take a few minutes, and will likely accelerate eastward as it moves through the North Country. The latest TYX data shows a 50-60 knot jet art around 15,000 ft which should help push this line eastward at a faster pace. The 00Z HRRR and RAP data suggest we have decoupled with the loss of daytime heating which should keep the stronger winds elevated since the convection won`t be rooted at the surface. However, DCAPE values close to 800 J/kg exist so it`s still possible we could see a brief burst of gusty winds along several portions of the approaching line. All guidance has this line falling apart quickly through the overnight hours but should be able to produce overnight rumbles of thunder and brief heavy rain as it quickly moves eastward. We will be watching the line closely should any warnings be necessary although it currently looks unlikely. Previous Discussion...The forecast remains on track for tonight through Friday night with the main feature of interest being a cold front currently moving through the Great Lakes region. CAMs have been very consistent showing showers and embedded thunder associated with the front won`t move into the St. Lawrence Valley until close to midnight, then become fragmented and scattered as it moves eastward through the remainder of the night into Friday morning. With the loss of daytime heating and precip arrival time, along with the best dynamics and cold pool shifting north of the region, the threat for strong storms is low during the overnight hours despite a strong low-level jet of 40-50kts moving across the region. As such, gusty winds are likely the biggest threat which will continue up to 25 mph in the broader valleys overnight with the potential for brief gusts greater than 35 mph along the frontal passage, mainly across northern New York. As the front shifts through Vermont during the daylight hours Friday, a short window will exist in the early to mid-afternoon hours for some stronger storms to develop across central and southern zones where up to 1000 J/kg of CAPE and about 40-45 knots of 0-6km shear may exist. As the previous forecaster mentioned, the intensity of storms will be conditional on clearing, and SPC`s depiction of a slight risk outlook south of our forecast area and a marginal risk across Rutland and Windsor Counties of Vermont continues to be reasonable. Any activity that does develop will wane after sunset with the loss of surface heating and the front shifting away from the region, and a quiet and cool night is on tap with lows falling into the 40s and 50s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 326 PM EDT Thursday...The weekend weather will be gorgeous, featuring highs in the 60s and 70s, and low humidity. There will also be abundant sunshine and relatively light winds. Clear skies and calm winds overnight will allow temperatures to drop quickly. Lows Saturday night will mostly be in the 40s, but temperatures should reach the 30s in the coldest hollows. Enjoy the cooler weather while it lasts because significant heat will build in next week. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 326 PM EDT Thursday...The first major heat event of the year looks to occur next week, starting Tuesday and continuing for the rest of the week. High temperatures above 90 degrees and increasing humidity will likely cause apparent temperatures to be well in the 90s, particularly in the broad valleys. The region will be on the northern periphery of an unusually strong ridge. Some model guidance brings the center of it to 600 dm at 500 mb. Southwest flow will prevent any cooling marine impacts from the Atlantic and increased humidity will help lows stay elevated overnight. Temperatures in the valleys will likely not fall out of the 70s Tuesday night onward, preventing much overnight relief from the heat. While there is high confidence of very warm temperatures, the exact magnitude of the heat is still uncertain. It looks like there will be a couple of shortwaves that will ride along the top of the ridge. With sufficient instability from the airmass, it would not take much to initiate some convection to keep afternoon temperatures a little lower. Also, with westerly flow aloft from being on the northern edge of the ridge, it is possible that debris from upstream convection over the Great Lakes could stream into the area provide some cloud cover. While this would limit high temperatures, it would also increase overnight lows. However, despite these uncertainties, there is high confidence in a significant heat event and the NBM seems very reasonable in giving an 80-90 percent probability of highs exceeding 90 in the broad valleys. However, the higher end probabilities where it gives the Burlington area a 40-50 percent chance of reaching 100 are likely unrealistic. Overall, this looks to be a relatively long- duration significant heat event and it would beneficial to take precautions early. && .AVIATION /02Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Through 00Z Saturday...VFR conditions are expected to continue through about 09Z-10Z for most sites, with winds being the main concern over the next 24 hours. Currently, wind across sites is decreasing, but surface flow generally remains out of the south 3-9 knots. Winds will increase again tonight into tomorrow as a cold front crosses the forecast area, bringing gusts to 10-30 knots at various sites. Winds will turn southwesterly and eventually northwesterly by the end of the 24 hour period. By around 18Z-22Z we may see another drop in the wind gusts. LLWS is expected with the frontal passage, primarily 04Z-13Z. As for ceilings and precipitation associated with the front, we are not particularly concerned as models show the precipitation weakening and falling apart as it crosses the forecast area. Most likely chance of rain showers will be from 08Z-14Z, though site MSS could experience a couple showers early, over the next few hours. There is the potential for thunderstorms embedded in any of these showers, but confidence is not high enough to include any thunder in TAFs at this time. There is also the potential for visibilities to drop in heavier showers/storms, but again, ability to pinpoint when and wear this will occur is not of high accuracy or confidence. Ceilings will likely drop to MVFR at MSS and SLK, but as the front continues eastward, ceilings are looking less likely to break VFR levels at all. Outlook... Friday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. Saturday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Saturday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Sunday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Sunday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Monday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Monday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Tuesday: VFR. NO SIG WX. && .MARINE... As of 326 PM EDT Thursday...A brief period of wind gusts up to 25 knots is expected across the broad lake waters tonight prompting the issuance of a lake wind advisory. Waves will likely build to 1 to 3 feet, and caution is urged for small craft venturing out overnight. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Lahiff NEAR TERM...Clay/Lahiff SHORT TERM...Myskowski LONG TERM...Myskowski AVIATION...Storm MARINE...Lahiff