298
FXUS61 KCTP 271827
AFDCTP

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
227 PM EDT Thu Jun 27 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
*Seasonable end to the week with comfortable humidity
*Return of heat+humidity fuels T-storms this weekend
*Cooler & dry start to July; heat & T-storms by the 4th

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Cu will crumble this evening setting up a refreshingly cool and
mainly clear night across central PA. Low pwats and favorable
radiational cooling pattern supports trending below the 50th
percentile NBM with relatively chilly min temps in the mid 40s
across the northern tier. Beneath dome of 1020mb high pressure,
synoptic conditions support fog formation late tonight into
early Friday morning in the river/stream valleys across the
western and northern Alleghenies.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
AM fog will dissipate quickly after sunrise Friday. Expect
partly cloudy and seasonably comfortable conditions with highs
75-85F.

An increasingly strong southerly llvl return flow develops into
Friday night as the aforementioned surface high shifts eastward
off the New England coast. Latest model data suggests 30-40kt
LLJ from the south-southwest will drive some showers and
elevated t-storms over west central PA late Friday night into
early Saturday morning.

The belt of strong 850mb flow will transport rich low level
moisture (dewpoints in the upper 60s to lower 70s) northeastward
along/ahead of a cold front this weekend. PWAT values are
forecast to reach 1.5-2.5 inches on Saturday or +2-3SD. The
anomalous deep layer moisture will support risk of heavy to
potentially excessive rainfall. WPC currently has a broad MRGL
risk, but the setup will likely yield an upgrade to SLGT risk
particularly where FFGs are reduced. Although mid lvl lapse
rates may remain weak, high dewpoints and diurnal heating should
fuel at least moderate buoyancy by mid/late afternoon. The
projected instability and deep shear profiles support a
conditional risk of strong to severe storms. SPC has most of the
area in a MRGL risk for D3, but their discussion suggests a
categorical upgrade/expansion of SLGT risk (just to the west) is
possible in subsequent outlooks. The influence of early day
clouds/waning overnight convection could be a limiting factor.
Convection should decrease in coverage and intensity into
Saturday night, which will be warm and muggy with lows 65-75.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Latest model consensus shifts primary t-storm/svr wx risk to the
southeast on Sunday with max POPs across the far southeastern
portion of the forecast area. Highs on the last day of June are
fcst to reach the low 90s in the lower Susquehanna Valley with
max heat index values approaching 100F in some locations.

There is high confidence that July will start relatively cool
and dry with near to slightly below normal temps and low
humidity lasting through early next week -- thanks to another
seasonably strong high pressure system. The pattern for the
first week of July is almost a repeat of 6/25-6/29 with
comfortable days and cool nights followed by a ramp in heat and
humidity driving max temps and chance of t-storms higher by the
4th of July.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
VFR at most TAF sites, with sct-bkn low/mid level clouds and a
nwlry breeze and gusts generally less than 20 kts, will
continue through the remainder of the afternoon. MVFR cigs,
though slowly improving, will affect BFD on and off.

Winds will decrease this evening, but probably remain light
from the nw as opposed to going widespread calm. Clouds will
diminish after sunset. With the clearing skies and light winds,
expect some formation of fog, but too localized at this point
to include in TAFs.


Outlook...

Fri...Generally VFR.

Sat-Sun...Thunderstorm impacts possible.

Mon-Tue...Generally VFR.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Through 6/26, June ranks as tied for the second warmest on
record at Harrisburg.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl
NEAR TERM...Steinbugl
SHORT TERM...Steinbugl
LONG TERM...Steinbugl
AVIATION...Gartner/Colbert
CLIMATE...Steinbugl