Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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922 FXUS65 KFGZ 190524 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 1024 PM MST Sat May 18 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Warm and dry weather will continue over the weekend with a slight cool down next week. Look for gusty afternoon winds each day, strongest on Monday with the passing of a dry weather disturbance. && .UPDATE...Quiet weather is forecast tonight as southwest winds continue to weaken and skies clear. The exception is for areas downwind of the Wildcat Fire, where smoke and haze are expected to continue. This includes locations northeast of Scottsdale to the Payson area and possibly to Winslow. Tonight`s smoke and haze forecast was updated with the latest high resolution guidance. && .PREV DISCUSSION /443 PM MST/...A pretty typical mid-May weather pattern is setting up across the region with gusty winds each day and mostly dry conditions. A weak trough approaching this afternoon has resulted in southwest winds 10-20 mph gusting 25-35 mph. Just a few mid and high clouds but dry weather prevails. Sunday`s winds and temperatures will be similar to today, but skies will be mostly sunny. Monday is shaping up to be the windiest day of the week as a stronger trough crosses the region. Sustained southwest winds of 20-30 mph with gusts 35-55 mph are forecast, strongest just north of the Mogollon Rim including the Little Colorado River Valley and portions of northeast Arizona. Low daytime humidity will also combine with the winds and lead to critical fire weather conditions. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued Monday for areas where fuels have dried to critical levels. As the trough crosses the area later Monday afternoon and evening, there is low chance (<10%) of a light shower or sprinkle but most areas will remain dry. Tuesday through Friday - the trough moves eastward Tuesday, with some lingering breeziness especially in east central AZ. Another low is forecast to move from the Pac NW Wednesday to the northern Plains Friday. While this system will remain well north of AZ, it could kick up our winds again Thu/Fri afternoons but confidence is low right now. Otherwise, dry and mild weather is expected through the period, with daily high temperatures 2-5 degrees cooler than normal. Lows will also be cooler than normal Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with such a dry air mass. High country gardeners need to pay attention to the forecast as below freezing temperatures are a possibility for the usual cold spots including Flagstaff, Bellemont/Parks, Tusayan. && .AVIATION...Sunday 19/06Z through Monday 20/06Z...Mainly VFR conditions through the TAF period. Light winds overnight becoming southwest 10-20 kts gusting to 30 kts after 16Z Sunday. Winds decrease again after 02Z Monday. Local visibility reductions from wildfire smoke are possible, especially near KPAN. OUTLOOK...Monday 20/06Z through Wednesday 22/06Z...Stronger southwest winds 20-30 kts with gusts from 35-45 kts develop on Monday. Winds turn west to northwest Tuesday at 10-20 kts gusting to 25 kts. VFR conditions are expected. && .FIRE WEATHER...This afternoon through Monday...Dry and breezy weather will continue through the weekend with critical fire weather conditions expected on Monday. Look for southwest winds 10- 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph on Sunday, increasing to 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph on Monday. Minimum RH values between 5-15%. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Monday over parts of northern Arizona. Tuesday through Thursday...Winds will decrease on Tuesday but remain breezy with minimum RH 5-15% each day. Expect winds 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening for AZZ107>110-112>114-139-140. && $$ PUBLIC...Benji/JJ AVIATION...MCT FIRE WEATHER...BAK For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff