Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Buffalo, NY

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198 FXUS61 KBUF 191750 AFDBUF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Buffalo NY 150 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Hot and humid weather through at least Thursday with apparent temperatures likely to reach 100F at many locations during the afternoon hours. There will also be showers and thunderstorms at times, especially during the afternoon and early evening hours. A modest respite from the heat will come in time for the weekend as a cold front approaches the region on Friday, although temperatures will still remain very warm. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
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Hot and humid weather will continue, with a Heat Advisory still in effect for the entire area through Thursday. An upper level high across the Mid-Atlantic will move very slowly southward Thursday and Thursday night. For the rest of today, 850 mb temperatures of +20C on the 12Z Buffalo sounding will result in afternoon high temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Fairly extensive mid/high cloud cover will keep highs couple degrees lower than if it were clear. But even so, dew points in the lower to mid 70s will combine with the high temperatures to push heat index values into the lower 100s at many locations. Thunderstorms have not developed in our forecast area yet early this afternoon, but with surface temperatures approaching the sounding convective temp it`s only a matter of time before storms develop. Timing is similar to yesterday...in the 4 - 9 p.m. timeframe. Precipitable water values around 1.75 inches, and with a weak flow aloft the slow storm motion may result in localized heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding. DCAPE similar to yesterday, so there`s also a potential for pulse storms to develop and collapse producing downbursts with damaging wind gusts. Convection should mainly be along and inland of lake breeze boundaries. This includes the Western Southern Tier, Genesee Valley, and Western Finger Lakes. Any storms that do develop should weaken/taper off late this evening. However, there will remain a small risk for showers or thunderstorms if any upstream convective waves move through since will still be instability overnight. Lows will range from the upper 60s to lower 70s, with patchy fog in the Southern Tier river valleys. Heat index values on Thursday may be slightly lower since 850mb temps will drop to +18C, but values will still be within advisory criteria, reaching 100 again at some locations. High temperatures will be 2-3 degrees lower than today at most locations. The southward progression of the upper level ridge should allow for earlier and more widespread convective initiation on Thursday. This is reflected in model guidance also, with storms developing along and inland of lake breeze boundaries early afternoon. There will again be a risk for slow moving storms and flash flooding. Winds aloft and shear will be slightly more, so there will again be a risk for severe weather with damaging winds and hail possible. SPC has most of the area in a marginal risk for severe weather, with greater slight risk near Central NY. Showers and storms will gradually diminish late Thursday night. A partial clearing may allow for areas of fog to develop Thursday night, especially in the Southern Tier.
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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A frontal boundary will stall out over the forecast area on Friday, continuing the opportunity for showers and thunderstorms. The best chance for showers and thunderstorms will lie across the southern portion of NY State towards the state line. While it will still be warm on Friday, temperatures will have `cooled` off some with highs in the mid to upper 80s. The stalled front from earlier in the day Friday, will then advance north now as a warm front late Friday night into Saturday. This being said, with the lack of diurnal heating Friday night, the area should remain mainly on the dry side. Showers and thunderstorms will then increase in coverage starting Saturday morning and mainly impact the North Country, however certainly can`t rule out a stray shower or thunderstorm across the remainder of the area as the warm sector of the next surface low moves north of the region.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... The warm sector of a surface low crossing the Great Lakes will be in place for Saturday night and Sunday continuing the potential for showers/storms across the entire area. Temperatures will be a few degrees warmer than Friday, but not as warm as the current mid-week temperatures. The cold front associated with the surface low passing to the north will cross the area on Sunday evening and into the night, causing more organized showers/storms to move through the area. A potent shortwave trough tracking across the area behind the passing front will continue the shower potential for Monday. Increased ridging and an incoming surface high will result in drier conditions for Monday night through the rest of the period. Temperatures will be well above normal for the weekend with highs in the mid 80s to low 90s. Temperatures cool behind the passing cold front to the mid 70s to low 80s for Monday before warming again for Tuesday back to the low to upper 80s. && .AVIATION /17Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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Mainly VFR flight conditions through this evening. Showers and storms 3 - 10 p.m. will produce localized MVFR or lower conditions at times. Storms will mainly develop along and inland of lake breeze circulations, with a lower risk at KBUF/KIAG/KART than at KROC and KART. Mainly VFR late tonight, but there is a risk of fog in the Southern Tier river valleys. On Thursday, mainly VFR again outside of showers and thunderstorms. These will develop early afternoon and last through the evening hours. Areal coverage a bit more than today, with a risk of heavy rain and gusty winds. Outlook... Thursday night...VFR except areas of IFR or lower in areas of fog. Also a chance of thunderstorms. Friday and Saturday...Mainly VFR, but a chance for mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms inland from the lakes. Sunday...VFR/MVFR. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Monday...Mainly VFR, but a chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms inland from the lakes.
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&& .MARINE... A generally quiet period is expected for the lower Great Lakes through the rest of the week and into the weekend as a large upper-level ridge remains across the eastern CONUS, resulting in a lighter surface flow. Only concern will be in the afternoon and early evening hours this week as daily isolated to scattered thunderstorms could produce higher wind gusts and waves. && .CLIMATE... The heat will continue through Thursday. Below are record high temperatures for our three main climate sites: ...Buffalo... ...Date.....Record Maximum (F)...Record warm Minimum (F)... ...June 19........90/2001............73/1919 ...June 20........92/1995............73/2012 ...Rochester... ...Date.....Record Maximum (F)...Record warm Minimum (F)... ...June 19........95/2001............72/1919 ...June 20........95/1953............72/1923 ...Watertown... ...Date.....Record Maximum (F)...Record warm Minimum (F)... ...June 19........91/2007............70/1949 ...June 20........90/1971............71/2012 Temperature records for Buffalo and Rochester date back to 1871. Temperature records for Watertown date back to 1949. && .BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NY...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Thursday for NYZ001>008-010>014- 019>021-085. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Apffel/TMA NEAR TERM...Apffel SHORT TERM...EAJ LONG TERM...SW AVIATION...Apffel MARINE...Apffel/TMA CLIMATE...Thomas/TMA