Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Portland, OR

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369 FXUS66 KPQR 091813 AAB AFDPQR Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Portland OR 1112 AM PDT Sun Jun 9 2024 Updated marine and aviation discussions. .SYNOPSIS...Expect warm and dry conditions inland today with marine stratus along the coast. Cascades will see a 15-30% chance of showers this morning. Warm and mostly dry weather continues through Thursday, but coastal areas could see a 15-30% chance of precipitation on Tuesday. Toward the end of the week, ensemble guidance suggests an overall cooler and wetter pattern. && .UPDATE...Sent out a quick forecast update to account for the measurable drizzle that has developed along the north coast this morning. NBM`s 2% PoPs are clearly not cutting it for that area, so we leaned on CONSShort, which includes many high-res models, for coastal PoPs. It appears the deepening of the marine layer as an upper trough moves onshore, along with the strengthening onshore flow, are mostly responsible for the drizzle along the coast. Suspect drizzle will become less widespread along the north coast throughout the day, but clouds and cool temps should linger. Aside from the coast, the forecast looks to be in good shape as elevated convection has mostly shifted east of Cascades. Weagle && .SHORT TERM...
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Today through Monday night...500mb analysis as of 230 AM PDT depicts an upper level shortwave trough beginning to push into the Pacific Northwest, with SW-SSW flow aloft. This shortwave could provide some lift to support isolated showers or thunderstorms over the Cascades early this morning. However, CAMs are suggesting that most shower and thunderstorm activity will remain east of the Cascades. The westerly component to flow aloft will provide an eastward push any showers or thunderstorms that do develop over our Cascades. Thus, the forecast includes low (15-30%) PoPs across the Cascades this morning, along with a low (15-20%) chance for thunderstorms in the Lane County Cascades. As the axis of the shortwave trough moves directly overhead, winds aloft will shift northwesterly and mid-level moisture will exit our area. This should end chances for elevated showers and/or thunderstorms for the west side of the Cascades by mid-morning. Dry, quiet weather continues today. Satellite imagery as of 230 AM PDT shows a marine layer moving toward the coast, so expect low stratus for coastal areas this morning. Model soundings suggest that coastal stratus will linger throughout the day due to a capping inversion and persistent onshore flow. This will maintain mild temperatures along the coast with afternoon highs peaking in the low 60s. Meanwhile, it will be another warm and sunny day for interior valleys with high temps forecast in the upper 70s to low 80s. High pressure will begin to re-build by this afternoon and strengthen into tomorrow (Mon). This will maintain warm temps inland with sunny skies. NBM suggests a 40-60% chance that temps exceed 80 degrees for interior valleys tomorrow. We may see another marine layer along the coast tomorrow morning, but model soundings are suggesting that increased mixing throughout the day will support clear skies at the coast by the afternoon. -Alviz
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&& .LONG TERM...
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Tuesday through Saturday...WPC cluster analyses are in agreement of 500mb heights remaining above average through Thursday, supporting near to above average temperatures and mostly dry conditions. However, on Tuesday a trough from the Gulf of Alaska will dip south and push into British Columbia. This will flatten the ridge over the Pacific Northwest and lead to a slight cooling trend. In addition, this will support a 15-30% chance for light precipitation over far northwest Oregon and southwest Washington (mainly along the coast). Wednesday, most of the clusters agree on zonal flow and/or slight re-building of a ridge. By Thursday, ensemble members agree on shortwave ridging over the region, supporting drier and warmer conditions. Friday, this ridge begins to shift eastward as another trough near the Gulf of Alaska dips southward toward the Pacific Northwest. By Saturday, most ensemble members (65%) agree on troughing entering the region with below-average 500 mb heights. If this scenario pans out, then we would see increasing chances for widespread precipitation along with potentially below average temperatures. For now, the NBM`s 15-45% chance of PoPs across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington at the end of the week look reasonable. -Alviz
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&& .AVIATION...
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At 18z Sunday, satellite and surface weather observations depicted clear skies across the area, except at the coast from KONP to KAST and along/near the Columbia River from KAST to KPDX and KTTD where a marine stratus deck continues impacting flight conditions. Cigs were ranging between 200-600 ft at KONP and 600-1300 ft at KAST. Cigs were between 2000-2500 ft at KPDX and KTTD; however cloud cover at KPDX and KTTD will scatter out between 1830-1930z Sunday and give way to VFR conditions for the rest of the day. Except the central OR coast (including KONP) will see a brief improvement to VFR conditions after 20z Sunday before a marine stratus deck redevelops after 01z Monday. Chances for any substantial clearing at KAST are much lower (<25%) where MVFR cigs are likely to continue through the day before lowering to IFR Saturday night. Brief periods of light drizzle will also be possible at KAST Sunday morning and Monday morning. Models still show a chance for an MVFR stratus deck to develop near the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge and backbuild into KTTD and KPDX towards 12z Monday. Probabilities for this to occur have increased to nearly 50% and forecast confidence has increased from low to medium. As such, have now decided to include broken cigs around 1800-1900 ft at KTTD and KPDX beginning at 12z. PDX AND APPROACHES...MVFR cigs impacting the terminal Sunday morning will scatter out around 19z Sunday, giving way to VFR flight conditions for the rest of the day and evening. However, probabilities for MVFR cigs around 2000 ft have increased Saturday night, peaking near 50% towards 12z Sunday. This stratus deck will likely develop over/near KTTD first before quickly backbuilding westward towards KPDX. Expect northwest surface winds between 5-10 kt Sunday afternoon/early evening with light and variable winds Sunday night/Monday morning. -TK
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&& .MARINE...
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Areas of marine fog over the inner waters will continue lifting late Sunday morning into the early afternoon as cloud cover begins breaking up a bit (especially over the southern waters to the south of Cape Foulweather). Winds will remain elevated around 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt from the northwest through the day. Based on high resolution models, looks like we will remain just below small craft advisory criteria. Seas will remain around 6-9 ft at 12 to 15 seconds through Monday morning. High pressure reforms Monday afternoon which will settle both winds and seas. The next period of concern will be Tuesday into Wednesday. Tuesday will bring yet another front, but this time there is a chance for some precipitation. Wednesday has the potential to bring breezier winds from the north-northwest. Gusts up to 30 kt are possible from Cape Falcon southward. Seas will also build to around 8-9 ft. During periods of strongest winds during the afternoon and evening hours, cannot rule out seas up to 10 ft. -TK/Muessle
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&& .PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OR...None. WA...None. PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PDT this morning for PZZ210. && $$ www.weather.gov/portland Interact with us via social media: www.facebook.com/NWSPortland www.twitter.com/NWSPortland