Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Indianapolis, IN
Issued by NWS Indianapolis, IN
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392 FXUS63 KIND 011654 AFDIND Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1254 PM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Showers and isolated thunderstorms Today - Warming trend going into next week with periodic storm chances - Long range 8-14 day outlook trending toward below normal temperatures && .FORECAST UPDATE... Issued at 932 AM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 Radar is indicating mainly light showers lifting north across the lower Wabash Valley in isentropic upglide, displayed on the 305K surface, and ahead of an upper wave that is currently progressing east over the Ozarks. Stubborn dry layer seen in Hi-Res soundings has slowed the eastward progress of the rain shield, so adjusted to a later timing for PoPs over eastern locales. Very weak instability and lightning detection suggests only very isolated lightning strikes. The thick cloud cover and rain will limit afternoon temperatures to the upper 60s and lower 70s. && .SHORT TERM (Today and tonight)... Issued at 255 AM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 Although subtle, the upper flow will begin transitioning out of ridging and into a short wave troughing pattern over the next several hours. Initially, this will push upper level cloud cover over the Ohio Valley, but by early morning, broad lift out ahead of a developing surface low will approach from the southwest. At first, this lift and push northward of moisture will be mitigated be an antecedent dry air mass. Currently, dew point depressions are between 15 and 20 degrees. The lower 3km will slowly saturate throughout the morning, eventually leading to scattered showers pushing in from 10AM onwards. This lift will become stronger and more concentrated later this afternoon within strong isentropic ascent, leading to numerous showers across the state. Generally, these showers will lack strong updrafts with thermodynamic profiles remaining very saturated and nearly moist adiabatic. There could be pockets of weak instability enough for a few rumbles of embedded thunder, but most cells should remain lightning free. Winds within this wave are also weak, but broad 15-20kt 850mb flow could be mixed down occasionally within these showers. Given the deep saturation of the thermodynamic profiles, some of these showers could be fairly efficient rain produces, but most should be categorized as moderate to light rain. This low pressure system will begin to occlude later this afternoon into the evening, and with this occlusion process, could push in a relatively dry slot on over central Indiana. As this happens, shower coverage should begin to wane slightly, but lightning coverage may take a slight upward tick as mid level lapse rates drop. Eventually, the broad lift will push far enough east, with ensembles means ending rainfall around 10pm to midnight. Total rainfall amounts are expected to be around 0.5" for most areas, with localized amounts upwards of an inch. Increases low clouds and rain during peak diurnal warming will inhibit temperature gains today, with highs expected to be in the upper 60s to low 70s. Confidence is currently low, but saturated soils and decreasing winds beneath the low late Saturday night into Sunday morning could lead to dense fog as stratus lowers over portions of southwestern central Indiana. For now, patchy fog has been mentioned, but this could be further increased as confidence increases. && .LONG TERM (Sunday through Friday)... Issued at 255 AM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 Sunday By Sunday, the low will become more diffuse as the upper level forcing is pushed off to the north. This will most likely place a weak boundary over southern Indiana. With the low less pronounced, the bulk of the forcing will be gone and the upper stratus deck will mix out to some degree. Even with minimal forcing, this weak boundary could be enough for isolated thunderstorm coverage as we break convective temperatures in the mid to late afternoon. Outside of this, central Indiana should remain mostly dry. With sunshine returning, highs should push back into the mid to upper 70s for most locations. Monday Through Friday. Forecast confidence quickly begins to fall off next week as the flow aloft becomes much more stagnant and the pattern becomes more driven by mesoscale factors that are very uncertain this far out. There does look to be at least occasional showers and thunderstorms which will generally be diurnally driven so will focus POPs highest in the 18Z to 00Z timeframe. Surface flow will generally remain southerly through the week which will keep temperatures just above normal with much higher dewpoints of mid to upper 60s. A more deeply wrapped up low looks likely towards the end of the week which should bring a relief from the more humid air and warmth. The pattern favors the potential for a few storm complexes across the Midwest but there is low confidence that any will impact central Indiana. Going into the latter portions of the week confidence is increasing in colder temperatures moving back in with a strong upper level low across the Great Lakes region bringing northwesterly flow at the surface and aloft with lower confidence on the track and strength of the low. && .AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 1253 PM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 Impacts: - Showers will continue before diminishing and ending overnight - MVFR and worse conditions to continue at KHUF and KBMG and start soon at KIND and KLAF - Small risk for embedded thunderstorms - Conditions to improve to VFR after 15z Sunday Discussion: Isentropic lift has lead to widespread showers. These showers and associated poor flying conditions will continue through the evening before dissipating and ending toward Sunday daybreak. Finally, conditions will improve to VFR toward midday Sunday. Winds will be SSE up to 12 knots this afternoon and then become very light to calm by late evening. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ UPDATE...MK SHORT TERM...Updike LONG TERM...White/Updike AVIATION...MK