Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC

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935 FXUS62 KRAH 151813 AFDRAH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 214 PM EDT Sat Jun 15 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will continue to move south of central North Carolina early today, then stall across South Carolina tonight and Sunday. High pressure will extend into the region from the Atlantic through much of the upcoming week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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As of 214 PM Saturday... The surface front has largely pushed into central SC. Meanwhile, a sea-breeze is evident on KLTX radar, pushing inland but still pinned just inland of the coast. The last few hours of satellite data has indicated some agitated cumulus developing mainly from Sampson County and locations south. Most 12Z CAMs keep activity south of central NC, but the inland penetrating sea-breeze could warrant some very isolated showers or storms along the Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain late this afternoon and evening. Any activity should wane after sunset with loss of heating. Some light gusts are possible tonight as the sea-breeze moves into central NC, but overall the flow should trend ESE overnight as the high to our north builds eastward. As that happens, some low stratus could form over the western Piedmont/Triad early Sun with return upslope flow. Some CAMs are even showing some isolated showers in this area. Have left the forecast dry at the moment given lack of forcing. Lows tonight in the upper 50s to mid 60s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 310 AM Saturday... Mid-level ridging will start to build along the east coast Sunday. At the sfc, Saturday`s cold front will remain stalled to our south. As such, mostly dry and hot conditions will persist on Sunday as temps rise again up into the upper 80s/lower 90s. Afternoon convection should largely be confined to the upslope mountain areas. However, a few isolated cells could trickle in the far western Piedmont late afternoon. Overall though, it should be quite dry. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 310 AM Saturday... The extended period will be largely warm and dry with no significant frontal passages, as central NC is under the influence of an anomalous mid/upper anticyclone that will continue to strengthen, from 594 dam at 500 mb to as much as 600 dam by midweek. Latest guidance is in pretty good agreement on the placement of the anticyclone, with the 00z ECMWF and GFS keeping it centered over our region on Monday before drifting it to the northern Mid-Atlantic and New England from Tuesday through Thursday. Guidance then weakens it slightly but drops it back south to the southern mid-Atlantic coast on Friday. At the surface, high pressure initially centered off the New England coast early in the week will slowly drift south closer to Bermuda by late week, extending west into central NC. This will keep the low-level flow over central NC largely from the SE through the period. Dry air and subsidence from the strong ridging both aloft and at the surface should really suppress any convective development through the period. The main effect in our region from the SE flow should just be some clouds each afternoon, particularly in the west. A few upslope showers and storms may develop each afternoon over the Appalachians, but easterly flow aloft should help pin them close to the mountains, which is backed up by the latest ensemble guidance. The best chance of any drifting east into our western Piedmont is Monday when the mid/upper anticyclone is directly overhead and the flow aloft is weak, but still not enough confidence for any POPs at this time. The ridge may start to break down some by late week, but with the latest guidance bringing it farther south and closer to our region than before, maintain a dry forecast through the period other than slight chance POPs in the far SE on Friday. Temperatures will be slightly above normal through the period, with highs generally in the lower-to-mid-90s and lows in the mid-to-upper- 60s. The good news is models seem in pretty good agreement there will be enough mixing to keep dew points from getting too oppressive, generally lower-to-mid-60s. This will keep heat indices each day very close to the actual air temperatures. Still, with such an extended period of warm temperatures, basic heat precautions should be made, including staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks if you have to be outside in the hottest part of the day. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 105 PM Saturday... VFR conditions are likely to prevail through the majority of the TAF period. With some return upslope flow developing over the western Piedmont overnight, some early morning MVFR stratus is possible at INT/GSO. Forecast probabilities are around 30-35 percent, so confidence is not particularly high. Elsewhere, the lingering cool front combined with an inland sea-breeze could bring an isolated shower or storm at FAY this evening, but confidence was too low to mention. Winds of ENE today will become ESE on Sun. Outlook: A very isolated shower or storm is possible at INT/GSO Sun aftn/eve. Some early morning stratus is possible at KINT/KGSO Mon morning. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected through the period. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Kren NEAR TERM...Kren SHORT TERM...Luchetti LONG TERM...Danco AVIATION...Kren