Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Mt. Holly, NJ

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690 FXUS61 KPHI 201748 AFDPHI Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 148 PM EDT Fri Sep 20 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Low pressure will continue to spin off of the east coast, while high pressure will remain from eastern Canada into the eastern united states through early next week. A weak disturbance is expected to move across the area Saturday night, before a stronger low pressure system possibly impacts the area by the middle of next week.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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Low pressure will meander some 300 miles east of the Jersey Shore today through tonight. Meanwhile, surface high pressure over the southern Province of Ontario will build down into the eastern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, and even down into the southern Appalachians. Clouds will be most prevalent closer to the coast this afternoon otherwise it will be a mostly sunny and nice day. Mainly clear tonight, and with light onshore flow, patchy fog is possible once again. Saturday will be another mostly sunny day as high pressure remains ridged over the eastern US.
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&& .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
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The strong low pressure system will continue to meander offshore through the weekend as a weak high pressure system tries dipping down the east coast from from eastern Canada. Saturday night, a weak short wave trough in the mid and upper levels digs into the western portions of our region. This could result in some showers primarily west of the I95 corridor. It doesn`t seem to be anything significant however there`s a moderate (30-50%) chance of showers developing over central PA. As mentioned by previous shifts, since this is more due to broader and weaker synoptic scale lift, this does not appear to be anything widespread or of enough moisture to put a significant dent in the dry conditions. The rain chances, at least with this round will be short-lived as short wave ridging starts to build closer by Sunday morning, resulting in a return to dry conditions. Temps will be fairly seasonable within a few degrees of normal for daytime highs and overnight lows for this time of the year.
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&& .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
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No significant changes with the long term. The high pressure/dry conditions continue into Monday. However, most guidance still depicts the return of some much needed rain moving into the region during the middle of the week. A messy frontal system is forecast to move eastward as a an area of low pressure moves across the Ohio River Vally and into the eastern Great Lakes Tuesday through Thursday. The exact dynamics of what will cause the rainfall is still a bit uncertain as it may be a front that swings all the way through or a secondary low pressure that potentially develops and impacts the area around Thursday. Either way, ensemble guidance is showing at least moderate (40-60%) chances for rainfall through the middle of the week which should be helpful given conditions have been abnormally dry for the last month for many areas. One note, while we currently have rain shower chances from Tuesday through Thursday, it is unlikely we will see rain throughout that entire period. Due to uncertainty with how this system will evolve, it is difficult at this point to further refine the time period we are most likely to see rain.
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&& .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas. This afternoon...VFR. NE to E winds 5 to 10 kt. Tonight...VFR expected, however, patchy fog may result in MVFR or lower conditions. Light N to NE winds. Saturday...VFR. NE to E winds 5 to 10 knots. Outlook... Saturday night...Generally VFR with MVFR or IFR possible in showers. Sunday - Monday...VFR conditions expected. Monday night-Wednesday...VFR prevailing with brief periods of MVFR or IFR possible in showers.
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&& .MARINE...
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Low pressure meanders several hundred miles east of the Jersey Shore. Small Craft Advisories are in effect for the ocean waters through Saturday, primarily for 4 to 6 ft seas. However, there will be occasional gusts around 25 knots this afternoon. Otherwise, NE winds will average 15 to 20 kt. Sub-SCA conditions for Delaware Bay. E winds around 10 kt this afternoon will turn N tonight. Outlook... Saturday night through Sunday night...Small Craft Advisory in effect on the Atlantic coastal waters due to elevated seas. Monday-Wednesday...Small Craft Advisory conditions likely for at least part of this period before we see gradual improvement especially Tuesday into Wednesday. Rip currents... There is a HIGH risk for the development of dangerous and life threatening rip currents at the Jersey Shore and at Delaware Beaches today and Saturday, and possibly for Sunday as well. NE winds will range from 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph along with 4 to 6 ft breaking waves both today and Saturday. For specific beach forecasts, visit weather.gov/beach/phi
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&& .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
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What has changed: Given current tidal departures, there is increasing concern of minor tidal flooding on the tidal portions of the Delaware River and on some portions of the Northeastern Chesapeake Bay. A coastal flood advisory has been issue for some of these locations for the high tide later today. Continued onshore flow will result in water piling up and unable to drain within tidal waterways. At least minor tidal flooding is expected for the next several high tide cycles for portions of our area. Moderate tidal flooding may occur for portions of our area this weekend. No changes in headlines for the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay. We are in the midst of the current high tide cycle and forecast looks on track. Still increasing confidence in moderate coastal flooding with high tide cycles this weekend. Will determine if the watch needs to be updated to a warning as guidance comes in through the day. For the tidal Delaware River, there is increasing concern for widespread minor flooding, starting with the high tide this afternoon/evening. For now, have only issued the coastal flood advisory to cover this high tide as will have better confidence on future high tides once we see departures with today`s high tide. For the northeastern shore of Maryland, it looks like the gauge at Claiborne will just touch advisory threshold with the high tide this evening. Further north in Kent County Maryland, it appears that water levels will fall short with this evening`s high tide. That being said, still increasing concern for tidal flooding across most of the northeastern Chesapeake with high tides on Saturday and Sunday.
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&& .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for PAZ070- 071-106. NJ...Coastal Flood Advisory until 3 PM EDT this afternoon for NJZ016. Coastal Flood Advisory until 6 AM EDT Saturday for NJZ012>014- 020>027. Coastal Flood Watch from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon for NJZ012>014-020>027. High Risk for Rip Currents through Saturday evening for NJZ014- 024>026. Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for NJZ017>019. DE...Coastal Flood Advisory until 3 PM EDT this afternoon for DEZ001. Coastal Flood Advisory until 6 AM EDT Saturday for DEZ002>004. Coastal Flood Watch from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon for DEZ002>004. High Risk for Rip Currents through Saturday evening for DEZ004. MD...Coastal Flood Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 8 PM EDT this evening for MDZ015-019-020. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Monday for ANZ450>455. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Deal/Franklin NEAR TERM...Franklin/MPS SHORT TERM...Deal/Johnson LONG TERM...Deal/Johnson AVIATION...Franklin/Johnson/MPS MARINE...Franklin/Johnson/MPS TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...