Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Portland, ME

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036 FXUS61 KGYX 222111 AFDGYX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 511 PM EDT Sun Sep 22 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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An ocean storm continues to churn well southeast of Cape Cod and will keep slowly drifting away from New England to start the work week. A persistent northeast wind will maintain high surf along the coast through at least Monday. The high astronomical tide cycle and storm surge in combination with increased waves will keep water levels high around high tide, with another chance at minor flooding possible during the afternoon tide Monday. High pressure will gradually try and build into the region through the week, bringing mostly seasonable temperatures and dry conditions.
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&& .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/...
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510 PM Update... Allowed the coastal flood advisory for the southern coast to expire. Otherwise, no other changes were made at this time to the inherited forecast. Previously... Between two systems the forecast area is largely left with some upslope enhanced cu and stratocu this afternoon. As diurnal heating wanes the clouds will dissipate as well. Other than some very high/thin cirrus it will be clear tonight. Temps should radiate well and valley fog is expected...despite drier air moving in from the east.
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&& .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... The weather pattern continues to become compressed Mon. The ridge axis centered over the eastern Great Lakes now will start to encroach late in the day. So a gradual increase in mid to high clouds is likely...especially across western zones. Temps will remain seasonable...as northeast winds keep the warmer air at bay. Barring significant cloud cover...another cool night and valley fog is possible Mon night. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Some changes in the overall long range forecast, but the main feature of a deepening and closing off 500 MB trough tracking SE from James Bay mid-late week is still the main feature, although track and strength changes have occurred in the models, partially to presence of tropical cyclone developing over the Gulf of Mexico and moving into the southern CONUS. Initial ridging ahead of that system should make for a dry and mainly sunny Tuesday, and Wed looks mostly dry as well with the unsettled period focused on Wed night -Thu night, with a return to dry wx for the weekend. Sfc ridge continues to nose SW from the center of strong high pressure over Labrador on Tuesday, and should see mainly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s, which is pretty close to normal. Clouds will begin to move in Tue night, mainly cirrus which will affect rad cooling somewhat, although probably not too much in the mtns valleys, and lows range from the low to mid 40s in the mtns to the low 50s in the S. The sfc ridge hangs on for much of Wed, but I think more clouds and sun as the mid and high clouds thicken, especially in the afternoon. A few showers may be possible in the afternoon across NH as well, but they will be scattered. The best chance for showers will be Wed night into Thu, as energy moving through base of closed aloft combine with some mid level WAA. Showers should move from NW -SE Wed night and continue through Thu across the CWA. Highs Thu will mostly be in the 60s. By Friday, the system shifts to our SE and should see clearing in N flow with highs in the 65-70 range. The weekend looks dry with temps running above normal in the mid 60s to low 70s N to S. && .AVIATION /21Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Short Term...VFR conditions have returned and are expected to prevail for the daytime hours into the evening at all TAF sites. Overnight tonight good radiational cooling and development of valley fog is anticipated. I have added IFR or lower conditions at LEB...HIE...and CON. Another round of valley fog and local IFR or lower conditions is possible Mon night at the same locations as long as cloud cover does not become too widespread. Long Term...Mainly VFR expected Tue-Wed, although flight restrictions are likely by Wed night, and especially on Thursday, in rain and low cigs. The restrictions will likely linger into Thu night, but should see a return to VFR Friday morning. && .MARINE... Short Term...From the outer waters into the eastern portions of Casco Bay seas will remain at or above 5 ft into Mon. Generally seeing obs around 5 to 7 ft with a long period. Model forecasts continue this thru at least the daylight hours Mon...so I have just extended the high surf advisory to match the existing SCA. A very gradual trend down in seas is expected thru the day. Long Term...While winds are likely to remain below SCA criteria, pulses of low pressure S of the waters over the next several days will keep the swell up near 5-6 feet through much of the week. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... Tides continues to come down from their astronomical peak for the month but storm surge remains near 1 ft. With sustained northeast winds driving that surge towards the coast some minor flooding is expected over the next hour or two. Another round of minor coastal flooding...splash-over...and beach erosion is likely Mon...though any flooding will likely be confined to the Seacoast. Another coastal flood advisory may be necessary. Beach surveys and Emergency Managers continue to indicate compromised dune systems along the coastline from our storms this past winter...which will limit natural protection. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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ME...High Surf Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for MEZ023-024. NH...High Surf Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for NHZ014. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for ANZ150-152>154.
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&& $$ NEAR TERM...Tubbs SHORT TERM...Legro LONG TERM...Cempa