Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA

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625 FXUS61 KRNK 250710 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 310 AM EDT Sat May 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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A series of low pressure systems will cross the Great Lakes and northeast United States today through Monday, before pushing a cold front through the Mid Atlantic region by early Tuesday. While there will be daily afternoon and evening thunderstorms, the highest probability of precipitation will be Sunday night and Monday. The front will lead in drier and cooler weather for the middle of next week.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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As of 245 AM EDT Saturday... Key message: - Typical summer thunderstorms this afternoon and evening Patchy fog will continue to develop early this morning. Visibility will occasionally be less than one mile in locations along rivers and lakes, and in the Virginia and North Carolina piedmont where there is less cloud cover impeding fog formation. Fog will dissipate rapidly after sunrise. Isolated thunderstorms in eastern Kentucky will move into western Virginia this morning, as they weaken, then dissipate. The air mass will heat up the rest of the morning, with CAPES topping out in the 1200-1500 J/kg range by the time thunderstorms begin to develop. Convective-allowing models and Bufkit forecast soundings have storms developing generally in the mountains, and more specifically along the southern Blue Ridge in the noon to 1PM time range. There will be an overall eastward movement of the isolated and multi-storm clusters. Expect a majority of the thunderstorms to dissipate quickly after 8PM. No particular forcing or enhancement to produce severe wind or large hail today, but for any outdoor activities, take one last look at the sky before launching the boat or striking out on that trail. Be weather aware and follow lightning safety rules. "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!" Aside from far southwest Virginia, and the Mountain Empire into northwest North Carolina which will have some remnant cloud cover as the overnight thunderstorms dissipate, expecting plenty of sunshine today. Will lean toward warmer guidance for maximum temperatures today. Little change planned to overnight lows.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 215 PM EDT Friday... Key Messages: 1: Unsettled conditions leading to showers and thunderstorms each day A deepening trough over the plains and Midwest will guide a front into the area on Monday. Ahead of this, an induced shortwave ridge will create the quietest period of weather this weekend on Saturday night and Sunday morning. As the front makes its initial approach, Sunday afternoon will see the return of diurnal showers and storms with the help of moisture advection due to strengthening southerly flow. Chances of showers and storms will continue to increase through the overnight period Sunday into Monday. The front will be relatively strong when it makes is passage on Monday. In addition, ensemble guidance has the greatest chance of high instability in our CWA on Monday afternoon. This has the potential to be a setup for severe weather, but confidence is low on expected impacts. As we get closer, high-res and convective allowing models will be monitored closely. Temperatures will be in the upper 70s and 80s each afternoon, which is a bit above normal for late May. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... Key Messages: 1: Largely quiet forecast with cooling temperatures After Monday`s frontal passage, we will be positioned on the western side of a mid-level trough, and the eastern side of a surface high. Both of these features will induce northerly or northwesterly flow at almost all levels of the atmosphere. This could result in some wrap around orographic showers in the mountains Tuesday, but after the surface high comes closer, chances of precipitation drop to almost nil through the end of the week. Temperatures will cool to around or just under normal with the help of the aforementioned northerly flow. && .AVIATION /07Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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As of 305 AM EDT Saturday... MVFR fog will continue to develop early this morning. Visibility will occasionally be IFR to LIFR in locations along rivers and lakes, and in the Virginia and North Carolina piedmont where there is less cloud cover impeding fog formation, including at KLWB, KLYH, and KDAN. Fog will dissipate rapidly after sunrise. Less confidence about the visibility as KBCB. Isolated thunderstorms in eastern Kentucky will move into western Virginia this morning, as they weaken, then dissipate, staying south of KBLF and west of KBCB. The air mass will heat up the rest of the morning, with CAPES topping out in the 1200-1500 J/kg range by the time thunderstorms begin to develop. Convective- allowing models and Bufkit forecast soundings have storms developing generally in the mountains, and more specifically along the southern Blue Ridge in the noon/16Z to 1PM/17Z time range. There will be an overall eastward movement of the isolated and multi-storm clusters. Expect a majority of the thunderstorms to dissipate quickly after 8PM/00Z. Average confidence for ceiling, wind, and visibility EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Periods of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoons and evenings, will continue through Monday. MVFR conditions remain likely with any thunderstorms. The highest probability of precipitation and associated MVFR conditions will be Sunday night and Monday. A front will cross through the area sometime Tuesday, turning winds to the northwest and eventually bringing drier air to much of the area. A low chance for showers and thunderstorms will be possible across WV Tuesday and Wednesday, otherwise VFR. Patchy fog with periods of MVFR/LIFR will be possible in the mornings near mountain and river valleys.
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&& .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...AMS NEAR TERM...AMS SHORT TERM...VFJ LONG TERM...DS/VFJ AVIATION...AMS/BMG