Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA
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646 FXUS61 KRNK 141545 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1145 AM EDT Sat Sep 14 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure wedging southward from New England across the Mid-Atlantic will maintain control of the weather pattern through the weekend, resulting in breezy east-northeasterly winds. Low pressure will develop off the North Carolina coast during the middle of next week, and is likely to bring rain to areas of the Mid-Atlantic, the exact timing and location of which remains uncertain. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1000 AM EDT Saturday... Key Messages: 1) High pressure will maintain east-northeasterly winds today, with drier air bringing a decrease in clouds by afternoon. 2) Increased sunshine will make for afternoon highs mainly in the 70s. Lows tonight will range from the mid 50s to the low 60s. A few isolated light rain showers in the NC High Country, and other parts of western NC, otherwise, much of the area remains dry but cloudy. Some breaks in the clouds are observed near the Greenbrier Valley and the Alleghany Highlands of VA. Cloud cover will continue to decrease across the area through today, as drier air works its way into the region. No significant changes made for this forecast update, aside from blending in temperature and dewpoint observations. As of 650 AM EDT Saturday... Made adjustments to increase rain chances with the cluster of showers moving across northwest North Carolina into southwest Virginia near Galax this morning. These showers are weakening and are expected to diminish as the morning progresses. As of 300 AM EDT Saturday... Latest weather observations indicate the Mid-Atlantic remains under the influence of a large dome of high pressure, centered over New England, that is wedging its way southward against the eastern face of the Appalachians. This pattern is supporting winds from the east-northeast, which are carrying Atlantic air into the mountains. The Atlantic moisture continues to support spotty shower activity across northern North Carolina into southwest Virginia, as observed on the latest radar imagery. Temperatures remain mild thanks to dewpoints in the 60s and widespread cloud cover, with not much additional cooling expected tonight. The tightened pressure gradient between the high pressure over New England and low pressure associated with the remnants of Francine are supporting gusts as high as 20 mph at times, which will keep the atmosphere mixed, preventing fog formation. Looking to today, showers that are passing across North Carolina and southwest Virginia will diminish through the morning, with clouds decreasing in the afternoon as a surge of drier air works its way across the Mid-Atlantic from the north. As such, expect a mixture of clouds and sunshine that will allow afternoon temperatures to warm into the 70s for most of the region, perhaps touching 80 across the Virginia Southside. Coolest temperatures will be found across the North Carolina High Country, which will hold onto cloud cover for longer in the day, where highs in the 60s can be expected. Breezy east- northeast winds, with gusts into the 15 to 20 mph range, can be expected thanks to a pressure gradient that will remain tightened through the day. The surge of drier air will bring slightly cooler temperatures tonight, with early morning lows dipping into the mid 50s across the mountains, and the low 60s across the Piedmont. May see a few sprinkles return tonight mainly across the foothills and along the Blue Ridge, as Atlantic moisture builds back into the area. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 AM EDT Saturday... Key Messages: 1) Confidence is moderate for rain chances increasing by late Monday into Tuesday, but rainfall amounts are highly uncertain. 2) Temperatures will remain below normal due to a cool northeast flow from high pressure wedged against the Blue Ridge. High pressure will remain wedged against the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge during Sunday and Monday. The resulting cool northeast breeze should keep temperatures below normal for the middle of September. Light rain or sprinkles may linger through Sunday and Sunday night along the southern Blue Ridge. By Monday, an area of low pressure will develop off the South Carolina coast, and it could move inland towards eastern North Carolina during Monday night. There are still notable model discrepancies with the track of the area of low pressure moving into Virginia by Tuesday, but confidence is rising that some rain may arrive during late Monday into Tuesday. The highest amounts appear to be east of Route 29, though the exact values remain highly uncertain due to the aforementioned model discrepancies. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 1139 AM EDT Saturday... Key Messages: 1) Confidence is low for ongoing chances of rain to finish the work week, with blocky pattern 2) Temperatures will stay near normal for this time of year. Deterministic models and their ensembles are in a general consensus that a blocky pattern remains this period with an upper low/trough over the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast Wed-Thursday gradually shifts offshore by the weekend. Meanwhile, surface troughiness with low pressure and front offshore will keep a flow out of the north to northeast at times. With this pattern, it looks like one where a few showers/perhaps a rumble of thunder pop up in the afternoon, with a minimal of showers at night. Confidence is low on how high to have pops, but leaning toward a blend keeps most in the 30 percent range or less, with best chances along/east of the Blue Ridge under the upper low. Temperatures during this time will run close to normal. && .AVIATION /16Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 655 AM EDT Saturday... The Mid-Atlantic remains under the influence of high pressure, centered over New England, that is wedging its way southward against the eastern face of the Appalachians. This pattern is supporting winds from the east-northeast, which are carrying areas of MVFR/IFR stratus, as well as widely scattered showers into the mountains. Winds remain breezy, reaching 15kt to occasionally 20kt. Scattered MVFR/IFR ceilings will persist through around 16Z with only modest improvements, but will then scatter thereafter as drier air arrives from the north. This will make for predominantly VFR conditions through the remainder of the day, though pockets of lower clouds will remain mainly across the higher ridges. Scattered MVFR/IFR ceilings, and perhaps a few pockets of drizzle will return during the early morning hours of Sunday. With little change in the weather pattern, east- northeast winds will persist through the period. Confidence in forecast is average. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Occasional rounds of light rain, as well as overnight periods of sub-VFR ceilings, will continue through Monday as high pressure remains wedged against the eastern face of the Appalachians. Confidence on rain chances at any one TAF site is low with dry air/high pressure/subsidence still in the vicinity. Sites that may see fewer impacts would be LYH, ROA, and DAN. Sub-VFR at times Tue-Wed as coastal system impacts our area with rain at times. && .EQUIPMENT... As of 200 AM EDT Saturday... The Lynchburg ASOS (LYH) is still experiencing data transmission issues. Please use caution when using data from this site, as some may be missing. Technicians are investigating the problem. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...NF NEAR TERM...AS/NF SHORT TERM...PW LONG TERM...WP AVIATION...NF EQUIPMENT...AS/SH