Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA

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644 FXUS61 KLWX 170834 AAA AFDLWX Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 434 AM EDT Tue Sep 17 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure over the Carolinas will gradually weaken through Wednesday. Another low may develop off the coast during the second half of the week. A backdoor cold front may push into the area Saturday. Strong high pressure will build northeast of the area in its wake. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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Low pressure over west-central North Carolina will continue to move toward the northwest today and tonight. Patchy drizzle or occasional rain showers could bring a few hundredths to one tenth of an inch with isolated one half inch amounts along I-66 and areas to the north through tonight. South of I-66 and toward the I-64 corridor, rain amounts could ramp up more quickly over the next 18 hours or so with the low pressure system not too far to the south. Rain amounts could average one quarter to one half inch with isolated one and a half inches through tonight in these areas. High temperatures with range from near 60 to lower 60s at highest elevations in the west to the upper 70s to near 80 in the east and near the Chesapeake Bay. Lows tonight in the middle 50s in the west and the lower to middle 60s in the eastern zones.
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&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
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The low pressure system will move over the southern Appalachians of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee Wednesday into Wednesday night. This combined with additional waves of mid-level energy rotating into the low from the north will generate additional rain showers and perhaps a few rumbles of thunder Wednesday and Wednesday evening. Additional rain amounts could average one half to one inch with isolated 2 to 3 inch amounts. Higher amounts could occur in southwest zones of the Virginia Piedmont, central Blue Ridge Mountains and central Shenandoah Valley. All of this anticipated rain will rely heavily on the intensity of the main low, additional moisture from the east and additional energy from the north. The placement of the main low will also have an impact as to who gets the most rain. Highs Wednesday upper 60s to lower 70s in the west and middle 70s in the east. Lows middle 50s in the west to middle 60s in the east. Winds will become more northeast Wednesday, then more northerly while diminishing on Thursday. The threat for showers and any thunderstorms on Thursday into Thursday evening diminishes from northwest to southeast. As a matter of fact there could be some partial clearing skies from west to east Thursday afternoon. Highs will be a little warmer with temperatures in the lower 70s west and near 80 east.
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&& .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... There`s been a notable shift in 00Z guidance compared to 24 hours ago with respect to the upper level pattern for Friday into the weekend. At least at the moment, the theme is consistent amongst ensembles per cluster analysis. The ridge/trough orientation is now situated such that the trough axis remains offshore, and if it does cut off, does not result in a closed low retrograding over the southeastern states. The backdoor cold front is still forecast to push into the area Saturday as a strong trough moves across eastern Canada, but this appears to bring about a drying/cooling trend as strong high pressure builds to the northeast. Winds maintain more of a northeasterly trajectory such that maritime moisture does not rotate back inland. With all that said...low pressure will likely be positioned somewhere offshore, so if there were to be more clouds and/or rain chances, it would likely be across eastern parts of the forecast area. Temperatures will be near or above normal Friday, becoming below normal by Sunday. Model spread increases Monday. High pressure may hold strong, although warm frontal processes may be nearing the Appalachians. Temperatures will likely remain a little below normal. && .AVIATION /09Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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Patchy drizzle and occasional showers could bring IFR conditions to the terminals today with a better emphasis of IFR conditions due to lowered ceilings near CHO moreso. The best chance for IFR is 12z to 18z today then again tonight. Rain showers will likely continue off and on Wednesday with low pressure nearby. Winds northeast to east 5 to 15 kts through Wednesday. Gusts of 20 to 25 kts are possible mainly each afternoon and evening, especially at terminals close to the waters and along the ridges. With the residual low pressure nearby, expect periods of sub-VFR conditions. Underneath a mid-level low pressure system on Thursday, scattered showers may develop across the area. Clouds should be abundant which may afford periods of sub-VFR conditions. Chances for notable weather seem to be decreasing Friday and Saturday, with VFR conditions now looking most likely. However, will have to keep an eye on offshore low pressure. Northeasterly winds may gust to around 20-25 kt Saturday.
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&& .MARINE...
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SCA conditions will continue today. This is in association with a tightened pressure gradient from blocking high pressure to the north and low pressure moving inland across the coastal Carolinas. At this time, the risk of gale force winds appears low, though some gusts around 30 knots have been observed over the mid bay. As a weakening area of low pressure tracks through the area, winds will be out of the east on Wednesday while likely remaining at SCA levels for at least portions of the waters. Winds will become more northeast Wednesday, then more northerly while diminishing on Thursday. North to northeast winds continue Friday into Saturday. As long as low pressure remains sufficiently offshore, sub-advisory conditions would occur Friday. A backdoor cold front may introduce stronger winds at some point between Friday night and Saturday night. Advisories may be needed depending on the timing of the front.
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&& .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... With low pressure inland over the Carolinas and winds from a northeasterly direction, there have not been significant rises in anomalies, with the highest values greater than one foot along the Potomac. Advisories remain in effect, but most flooding will be marginal. Have not extended advisories since anomalies may drop slightly tonight into Wednesday. However, between the full moon and continued onshore flow, tide levels will likely remain elevated and near minor flood thresholds much of the week. && .LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... DC...Coastal Flood Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for DCZ001. MD...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Wednesday for MDZ008. Coastal Flood Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for MDZ014. Coastal Flood Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for MDZ016- 018. VA...Coastal Flood Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for VAZ054. Coastal Flood Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for VAZ057. WV...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Wednesday for ANZ530>534- 536>543. Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for ANZ535. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ADS NEAR TERM...KLW SHORT TERM...KLW LONG TERM...ADS AVIATION...ADS/KLW MARINE...ADS/KLW TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...ADS