Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA

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474 FXUS61 KLWX 291858 AFDLWX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 258 PM EDT Wed May 29 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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A cold front will move through the area tonight with high pressure building in from the northwest behind the front. High pressure remains overhead throughout the weekend before pushing east at the start of the workweek.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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A cold front is currently pushing through the forecast area, bringing showers and thunderstorms to much of the area. A line of thunderstorms is currently stretching from Frederick Maryland down to Charlottesville Virginia, with wind gusts 30-40mph being observed with this line. These thunderstorms will continue to track east through the afternoon and into the evening. SPC mesoanalysis as the line of storms moving into slightly more favorable conditions compared to what CAMs indicated in the AM and overnight runs. SBCAPE 500-1000 J/kg and effective shear 25-35 kts remain not overly favorable, but expecting storms to continue to produce wind gusts and small hail. While PW values remain below 1 inch, heavy downpours are possible in localized areas. Storm motions of about 30mph should keep thunderstorms progressive in nature, minimizing flooding threats. Shower and thunderstorm activity is expected to diminish this evening in the wake of the frontal passage. Temperatures tonight will be in the 50s for most with those at higher elevations dipping into the 40s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
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The aforementioned upper level trough will continue pivoting and deepening over the east coast throughout the day on Thursday. A dry airmass in place will keep any widespread precipitation at bay, but the disturbance moving overhead will result in some clouds over the region. In addition to some clouds, a stray rain shower cannot be ruled out, mainly in the southern portions of the forecast area. The upper level trough will exit the region overnight Thursday into Friday morning, with ridging moving in behind it. At the surface, high pressure will build in from the Great Lakes beginning Friday as the upper level trough moves off shore. Cloud cover will decrease Thursday night into Friday with sunny skies and dry conditions expected during the day. Dry air aloft will have dewpoints in the 30s to 40s, yielding seasonably cool temperatures. There will be a temperature gradient on both Thursday with highs in the low 60s for those at higher elevations while those in the southern potions of the forecast area and in the metros are in the upper 70s. Temperatures moderate slightly on Friday with temperatures ranging from mid 60s to mid 70s across the area dependent on elevation. Clear skies and light winds will provide favorable conditions for radiational cooling each night. Overnight lows on Thursday will dip into the 40s along and west of the Blue Ridge with those east of the Blue Ridge staying in the 50s. Some locations along the Alleghenies could even drop into the 30s with a potential for some frost. Overnight lows on Friday will be just a few degrees warmer with temps in the 40s-50s.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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Quiet weather conditions look to continue into the first half of the weekend with low pressure over eastern Canada drifting east and high pressure overhead. Overall flow will remain fairly zonal throughout the weekend which will allow for a slow return of low level moisture and shortwave disturbances heading into early next week. Saturday, will be the pick of the weekend with high pressure nearly overhead. Mostly sunny skies are expected with high temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s. High pressure will slowly push off the southeast U.S coast Saturday night into Sunday allowing for an uptick humidity and cloud cover. Skies will turn mostly clear to partly cloudy with lows in the upper 40s and low to mid 50s. By Sunday, high pressure centers itself off the southeast U.S coast. This will lead to a return of low level moisture in form of increased humidity as well as the risk for a few thunderstorms along and west of the Blue Ridge as shortwave energy pushes east from the Midwest region. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms exists during the afternoon and evening hours Monday and Tuesday areawide as additional pieces of shortwave energy pivot through. Rainfall amounts are expected to be light at this point and no severe weather is anticipated at this point.Neither SPC nor WPC have highlighted any threats over the region for the period at this time. Even with that said, CSU Learning Machine Probabilities and CIPS analogues continue to point toward stronger storms during the Tuesday and Wednesday time. This is in association with a cold front that will slowly progress eastward by the middle and latter half of next week. We will continue to monitor this threat over the next several days. Temperatures will creep back above normal Monday through Wednesday next week. Highs will warm back into the mid to upper 80s and perhaps low 90s with 850 mb temperatures running +12 to +16 degrees Overnight lows will return to the mid to upper 50s and low 60s.
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&& .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
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VFR conditions are expected at all terminals through Friday. The exception will be this afternoon and into the evening with showers and thunderstorms expected to impact all terminals. As of 2:15PM, a line of thunderstorms is bringing gusty winds and sub-VFR conditions to KIAD, KMRB, and KCHO. This line is expected to progress east, impacting KDCA, KBWI, and KMTN by 20Z. Shower and thunderstorms will dwindle this evening after 00Z with VFR conditions returning areawide overnight. VFR conditions are expected Saturday and Sunday with high pressure nearby. A slight chance for a few thunderstorms is possible mainly at terminals along and west of a line from KMRB down to KCHO. Some restrictions are possible in and around any thunderstorm activity that may form. Higher chances for more widespread restrictions from shower and thunderstorm activity are possible Monday through Wednesday as multiple pieces of shortwave energy push through.
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&& .MARINE...
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Westerly winds this afternoon will remain below SCA criteria. SMWs are currently in effect with additional SMWs likely as showers and thunderstorms impact the waters this afternoon and into the early evening. A cold front will cross over the waters later tonight, with winds shifting to out of the northwest behind the front. Northwesterly winds remain below SCA criteria tonight and Thursday, but may near SCA criteria periodically. North/northwesterly flow will remain below SCA criteria on Friday, with dry conditions expected across all waters. Sub-SCA level winds are expected Saturday and Sunday. Winds will be calm to variable Saturday with high pressure overhead. South to southeasterly winds return Sunday as high pressure pushes off the southeast U.S coast. An isolated shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out due to the bay breeze Sunday afternoon/evening. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms exists Monday through Wednesday as multiple disturbances pass through.
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&& .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
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Offshore flow will continue through Thursday. This will lead to lower water levels. No tidal flooding is expected through Thursday, but Annapolis and DC may potentially reach Action Stage around high tide.
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&& .LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... DC...None. MD...None. VA...None. WV...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...AVS NEAR TERM...AVS SHORT TERM...AVS LONG TERM...EST AVIATION...AVS/EST MARINE...AVS/EST TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...KJP