Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA

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581 FXUS61 KLWX 140128 AFDLWX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 928 PM EDT Thu Jun 13 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure moves further offshore today. A cold front tracks into the region Friday, with increasing shower and thunderstorm chances. Secondary high pressure builds back in for the weekend with lower humidity and slightly cooler temperatures. Hot and humid conditions return next week as a strong upper ridge impacts the area. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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Current radar imagery shows a couple showers extending from northern Loudoun County northeastward across north-central Maryland, with dry conditions elsewhere. These showers may continue for another hour or two as they slowly drift off toward the east-northeast, but should struggle to intensify given the stout mid- level inversion and ample mid- upper level dry air present on the 00z IAD sounding. After these showers dissipate, skies are expected to clear out for much of the night. A few remnant mid- high clouds associated with decaying convection that is currently ongoing over the Ohio Valley may approach western MD and the WV Panhandle just prior to daybreak. Some patchy fog may be possible late tonight, and overnight lows are forecast to be in the 60s for most (around 70 in downtown DC and Baltimore).
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
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Friday morning, conditions should be mostly dry with clouds increasing from the northwest as a result of an approaching cold front moving in from the Great Lakes region. Another above normal temperature day is expected, with highs in the low 90s across the lower elevations and mid to upper 70s for the mountains. The cold front will likely become more negatively tilted as it approaches areas along and east of the Blue Ridge which may enhance coverage and intensity of any showers and thunderstorms that spawn. For now, expecting isolated to scattered thunderstorms to develop Friday afternoon and evening just ahead of the frontal passage. With increased CAPE, slightly steep low-level lapse rates, and increased flow aloft, a few of theses storms may become strong to severe. The area of best chances for this looks to be across north-central to northeast MD. The main hazards for these storms will likely be damaging winds, with increasing DCAPE through the afternoon. Cannot rule out some hail with these storms as well. Most convection likely moves east of the area after midnight Friday. Overnight lows will fall into the low to mid 50s across the mountains and slightly warmer into the low to mid 60s further east across the lower elevations. Secondary high pressure will build in for the weekend, with decreasing humidity and slightly cooler temperatures. Highs will generally be in the low to mid 80s both days, with winds remaining light. Overnight lows Saturday night will be in the 50s for most areas, with gradual humidity increase Sunday night with lows in the low 60s for most areas.
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&& .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Upper level ridging sets up over the eastern half of CONUS for the entirety of the long term period. Sunday will be the coolest day of the long term period with high temperatures in the 80s for most. Those at higher elevations will stay in the mid to upper 70s. With high pressure at the surface, dry conditions are expected areawide. Dry conditions are expected overnight Sunday into Monday with low temperatures 60s for most. As we head into the workweek and the ridge settles overhead, above average temperatures will be the main story. While there is a bit of model discrepancy on exact high temperature forecasts, models agree on above average temperatures each day. High temperatures each day will be in the 90s with only those at highest elevations staying in the 80s. With dew points in the upper 60s, heat indices will rise into the upper 90s to even exceeding low 100s possible. Overnight low temperatures will cool into the 60s to low 70s each night with the metro areas staying in the upper 70s. && .AVIATION /01Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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VFR conditions are expected through early Friday, along with light southerly winds. A few showers are evident on radar this evening, but this activity is expected to remain off to the north and west of the terminals. Some patchy fog is possible later tonight and into early Friday but visibility restriction at the terminals are not expected at this time. By Friday afternoon, a cold front will approach the area and bring the potential for isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Some of these storms could become severe, especially for the more northeastern terminals. Sub-VFR conditions may be briefly possible Friday afternoon and evening with any of these showers and storms that approach the terminals. VFR conditions return for the weekend with light winds as a result of reinforcing high pressure nearby. VFR conditions are expected throughout the long term period with high pressure and upper level ridging overhead. Southeasterly winds on Sunday will shift to southerly on Monday. Dry weather is expected both days with winds remaining light, blowing 5-10 knots.
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&& .MARINE...
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SCA conditions will continue in southerly flow over the Bay and Lower Tidal Potomac through much of the night. Prevailing sub- SCA southerly flow is expected over the waters on Friday, but SMWs may be needed for any strong to severe thunderstorms that cross the waters during the late afternoon or evening hours. High pressure returns for the weekend. Cannot rule out SCA conditions early Saturday with northerly channeling building for the open waters especially. Southeasterly winds on Sunday are expected to remain below SCA criteria. By Monday morning, winds shift to southerly and will primarily stay below SCA criteria. Winds in the lower portions of the waters will near SCA criteria Monday evening, gusting up to 17 knots with a SCA being possible during this time.
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&& .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... Current tidal anomalies remain slightly elevated, generally ranging between 0.5 to 0.7 feet. At this point, only the sensitive locations like Annapolis and Straits Point are expected to reach Action stage during the next several high tides. Water levels do quickly drop off over the weekend behind a cold front. North to northwesterly flow should push a lot of the excess water back toward the south. && .CLIMATE... High temperatures early next week. Below is a list of record high temperatures for June 17th, 18th, and 19th, the year the record was set, and the current forecast high temperatures for those days. Daily temperature records are currently only maintained at DCA, IAD, BWI, and MRB. Others are shown for reference. Monday Jun 17th Climate Site Record High Forecast High Washington-National (DCA) 99F (2022) 93F Washington-Dulles (IAD) 96F (2022) 94F Baltimore (BWI) 96F (2022+) 92F Martinsburg (MRB) 98F (1939+) 91F Charlottesville (CHO) 97F (2022) 93F Annapolis (NAK) 96F (1939) 87F Hagerstown (HGR) 96F (1952) 92F Tuesday Jun 18th Climate Site Record High Forecast High Washington-National (DCA) 97F (1944) 95F Washington-Dulles (IAD) 94F (2018+) 95F Baltimore (BWI) 97F (1957+) 93F Martinsburg (MRB) 99F (1943) 92F Charlottesville (CHO) 96F (2014+) 93F Annapolis (NAK) 96F (1957) 89F Hagerstown (HGR) 95F (1957) 93F Wednesday Jun 19th Climate Site Record High Forecast High Washington-National (DCA) 99F (1994) 95F Washington-Dulles (IAD) 98F (1994) 95F Baltimore (BWI) 99F (1994) 93F Martinsburg (MRB) 96F (1994+) 92F Charlottesville (CHO) 97F (2018) 94F Annapolis (NAK) 96F (1993) 89F Hagerstown (HGR) 97F (1994) 94F + indicates that value has been reached on multiple years, with the year displayed being the most recent. && .LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... DC...None. MD...None. VA...None. WV...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM EDT Friday for ANZ530>534- 537>543. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ADM NEAR TERM...KJP/ADM SHORT TERM...ADM LONG TERM...AVS AVIATION...AVS/ADM MARINE...AVS/ADM TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...LWX CLIMATE...BRO