Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL
Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL
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905 FXUS64 KBMX 040038 AFDBMX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 738 PM CDT Mon Jun 3 2024 ...New SHORT TERM, AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Wednesday) Issued at 711 PM CDT MON JUN 3 2024 Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain over Central Alabama early this evening. These storms were forming mainly due to small scale boundary interactions. Brief gusty winds or small hail is possible in the strongest storms. Otherwise, would expect a downward trend in the storm coverage from 8pm-4am. A thunderstorm line was located in far eastern Arkansas into Louisiana. This activity will continue eastward overnight. How much convection is still present along the line late tonight is still in question. But this boundary will approach west and northwest areas near the Mississippi state line just before daybreak. An upper trough will move over the area along with some convectively induced vorticity maximums. Therefore, rain/storms will have higher probabilities Tuesday. Some storms may be strong with brief gusty winds and small hail. Made some adjustments to the pops and general trends, but it appears the overall message is still valid through Tuesday. Early Tuesday morning, low clouds and some fog will be possible. Local areas may experience visibility drops before the clouds and fog lift by 9 am. 75 Previous short-term discussion: (This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 1243 PM CDT MON JUN 3 2024 Scattered convection has developed along an outflow boundary in eastern MS, with thunderstorms expected to meander into western Alabama through the afternoon. CAMs are not handling this convection well, so confidence remains low on extent of development this afternoon. Enough instability is over the state for diurnal convection this afternoon, with a greater concentration in the central and western portions of the state where instability is higher. PW values are max for this time of year so any stronger shower and thunderstorm will produce high rain rates. Overnight, an area of thunderstorms is expected to move into western Alabama in the early morning hours, and lasting through the early morning. Confidence is low on timing and coverage, but any activity will produce high rain rates and lightning. Diurnal activity will be quick to develop by mid day as plenty of moisture and instability remains over the state. A few areas in the east and south could see fog development in the early morning. 24 && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday night through next Sunday) Issued at 318 PM CDT MON JUN 3 2024 A shortwave moving across the area Wednesday should bring chances for showers and storms to Central Alabama. Similar to the last forecast cycle, the highest PoPs look to remain across the northern half of the state. Have made minimal adjustments to PoPs but not wholesale changes. The frontal passage Thursday should see the highest rain chances in the central and southeastern counties. Minimal coverage is expected in the southeast again Friday afternoon, with much of the area remaining dry. Saturday looks dry as well before rain and storm chances return again by Sunday afternoon. The temperature department looks steady-state, as is typical for this time of year: highs in the upper 80s to low 90s each day and lows largely in the 60s each night. Friday night lows will likely dip into the upper 50s in northern and northeastern pockets behind the front. 12 Previous long-term discussion: (Tuesday night through next Sunday) Issued at 350 AM CDT MON JUN 3 2024 A weak upper level low pressure system will slide into the southeastern CONUS Wednesday through Thursday as the more amplified ridge remains across the the southwestern CONUS. This sets up a northwesterly flow regime for Central AL. At least 2 weak shortwaves will likely move through leading to increased rain and thunderstorm chances; however, the timing and track of these shortwaves has shown significant variability in model guidance each day. Initially, the first wave on Wednesday seems to stay to our north for the most part, but there`s some guidance that brings it further south, so while I believe most of the area could see at least scattered showers and storms on Wednesday, the better coverage and higher confidence of showers and storms remains generally north of I-20. Rain chances increase again Thursday into early Friday as a frontal boundary pushes southward through the area. This boundary should be south of our area during the day Friday leading to decreasing rain chances and drier weather for at least the first part of the weekend. However, guidance suggests another shortwave could slide southeastward through the main trough again late Saturday through Sunday leading to more showers and thunderstorms. Details on exact timing of these waves will likely change in the coming days so the forecast will most likely change. 25/Owen && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 711 PM CDT MON JUN 3 2024 Scattered convection was over Central Alabama early this evening. Most terminals will remain clear of the storms, but will monitor for the possibility of anything moving closer. This activity will slowly decrease in coverage through the evening. Therefore, advertising VFR conditions over the area to start the period. Much last the past few nights, low clouds and fog will develop after 09-10z. It appears that there will be a range of ceiling heights from IFR/LIFR to MVFR. The ceilings and vis will improve through the morning hours with much of the area VFR outside convection by 18z. Several boundaries and feature will be impacting Central Alabama on Tuesday. Showers and storms will be likely at several terminals. More refined timing will be added when it becomes clearer. Winds continue to exhibit a southerly component and will range from light to 5-6kts. 75 && .FIRE WEATHER... A warm and humid air mass will persist through at least Thursday before a frontal boundary pushes into the region late in the week. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible tomorrow before becoming more widespread across the north on Wednesday. Generally light southerly flow is expected outside any thunderstorm activity through Tuesday night, with southerly 20ft winds up to 5-7 mph. Afternoon min RH values Saturday may dip below the 35-40 percent range, with drier northerly flow in place. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 66 82 67 88 / 40 70 40 70 Anniston 68 83 68 88 / 30 70 40 60 Birmingham 69 84 70 89 / 30 70 40 60 Tuscaloosa 69 86 71 89 / 30 60 30 60 Calera 69 84 70 88 / 30 60 30 60 Auburn 69 85 69 87 / 30 50 30 40 Montgomery 70 85 70 90 / 30 60 20 50 Troy 69 86 68 91 / 30 50 20 40 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...75 LONG TERM....12 AVIATION...75