Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Burlington, VT

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728 FXUS61 KBTV 251003 AFDBTV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Burlington VT 603 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Early morning showers will wind down toward this afternoon, but then more widespread precipitation will spread over the region tonight and Thursday. Total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected. Drier weather returns for the weekend, along with seasonable temperatures. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
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As of 600 AM EDT Wednesday...Showers continue their eastward trek across the region this morning. The bulk of the activity now lies across the Champlain Valley and into the northern Greens, and extends a bit further south and east than previously anticipated. The rain has been moderate at times, and while most locations have received less than a quarter of an inch, portions of the Adirondacks are reporting totals of half an inch or more. Have made adjustments to PoPs to match the radar trends, and adjusted QPF for the past 6 hours to incorporate the latest reports. Otherwise the forecast remains in good shape and no other changes were needed with this update. Previous discussion...Overall scope of the forecast remains unchanged, with some much welcome rainfall to occur across the region through the period. We have increased the total rainfall forecast a decent amount with this package, as we`re now that we`re within the realm of hi-res guidance. Noted that ensemble guidance is indicating at least an 85% probability of exceeding 1 inch in most locations over the next 36- 48 hours. However, flooding is still not a concern, especially given how dry we`ve been recently. Our first round of showers is pushing east-northeast across mainly northern/central portions of the forecast area early this morning, with precipitation amounts generally a quarter of an inch or less so far. This scattered shower activity will exit to our northeast by mid morning, and expect we`ll see a brief dry period for a few hours thereafter. Skies will remain cloudy though, and temperatures will be on the cool side as a result. Highs will range from the upper 50s to mid 60s this afternoon. The break in the precipitation will also allow for some mixing, and expect winds will be a little on the breezy side as a result. Gusts around 25 mph will be possible, especially on the northern slopes of the Adirondacks and in the Champlain Valley. After this afternoon`s brief stint of mostly shower-free conditions, expect precipitation to redevelop later this evening and overnight. The upper trough currently crossing into central Ontario will dig into the eastern Great Lakes overnight, closing off into low pressure which will then scoot along the international border on Thursday. Favorable lift and jet dynamics and increasing moisture will allow widespread showers to move northeastward into our area starting this evening but especially overnight. Meanwhile, the upper trough will pivot eastward across Ontario, dragging a frontal boundary along in its wake. This feature will serve as a focus for moisture convergence as it moves eastward across our area Thursday. With PWATs approaching/exceeding 1.5 inches and warm cloud depths of 10-12 kft, briefly heavy rainfall will be possible, and several of the latest hi-res CAMs are indicating a broken line of more robust showers along/ahead of the frontal boundary. Drier air quickly moves in after the frontal passage, bringing widespread precipitation to an end. Scattered showers may redevelop behind the front though as the core of the upper low moves by just to our north. The cold pool associated with the low will steepen lapse rates and allow for a bit of instability, so there may be a few rumbles of thunder along the international border. All in all, expect 1 to 2 inches of rain to fall across the region, with locally higher amounts possible in areas that perhaps see repeated rounds of heavier showers. While some ponding in poor drainage areas may be possible in heavier rainfall rates, the antecedent dry weather and low river flows keep the threat of any flooding low to none. Otherwise, we could still see some breezy conditions overnight tonight, though widespread rainfall will limit mixing potential. At the least though, winds will remain gusty over Lake Champlain, and a Lake Wind Advisory will likely be needed later today and overnight tonight. Winds will abate during the day on Thursday, turning more toward the west/southwest once the front moves through. Ample moisture and cloud cover will keep lows in the 50s areawide tonight. Tomorrow should be warmer than today from the Champlain Valley westward where some sun may make an appearance behind the front, but eastern VT will likely see another day with highs in the upper 50s/low 60s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 341 AM EDT Wednesday...The cold front should have passed to the southeast by the start of this period, but some associated rain is possible for a few hours in southern and eastern areas Thursday night. Lingering moisture in the low-levels and northwest flow could cause a few isolated showers across the higher elevations of northern Vermont during the day on Friday. They would be most likely to occur in the afternoon when there is also the influence of diurnal heating. However, any shower would be brief and relatively unimpactful. Low clouds look to hold stubborn in many areas in a more winter-type pattern, though there should be some breaks of sun as well. Highs will be in the mid-60s to low 70s, slightly above climatological normals despite the cloud cover and northwest flow. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 341 AM EDT Wednesday...Surface high pressure builds into the region for the weekend and into the start of next week. The airmass will originate from the central/western US so any of the coldest air will remain well to the north over Canada. Temperatures will continue to be a bit above climatological normals, with highs generally in the upper 60s to mid 70s, and lows generally in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Fog formation is possible in the climatological favored valleys overnight as there should be light boundary layer winds. The one area of uncertainty for fog is cloud cover. The low-level moisture from Friday looks to linger into Saturday and may inhibit fog formation in the areas that remain cloudy. Also, some high clouds look to try to build into the region from the remnants of Helene. However, these currently look to struggle to make it, and anything that does would be very high and thin, and therefore not likely to have a significant impact on radiational cooling. The next chance of rain is in the middle of next week as a cold front passes through. The front will try to bring some of the moisture from the remnants of Helene north and into the region, but even if it does, the rainfall still should be relatively light and not enough produce a flood threat. Less than 20 percent of EC/GFS/Canadian ensemble members have more than 1 inch in 24 hours and none have more than 2 inches. && .AVIATION /10Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Through 06Z Thursday...VFR conditions will prevail at all terminals for the first half of the forecast period, with conditions gradually deteriorating to MVFR thereafter. Showers already overspreading the region at this hour, but visibility is generally remaining unrestricted and ceilings AOA 3500 ft. First round of showers will push eastward over mainly northern/central portions of the region through 15z, then expect a brief break in precipitation. Ceilings gradually lowering to 3500-4500 ft through the daylight hours. More widespread precipitation moves in from southwest to northeast after 22z Wed and continues through the remainder of the TAF period; expect MVFR ceilings and visibilities to prevail as this rain affects the terminals. Winds will generally south/southeast between 6-12 kt throughout the TAF period, with some gusts around of 15 to 20 kt possible, mainly after 14z Wed. LLWS expected through 12z at KMSS early in the period, and then again at all northern NY terminals toward 04z onward as a low level jet moves through the region. Outlook... Thursday: MVFR/IFR conditions possible. Chance SHRA. Thursday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Slight chance SHRA. Friday: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. NO SIG WX. Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX. Saturday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX. Saturday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX. Sunday: VFR. NO SIG WX. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Hastings NEAR TERM...Hastings SHORT TERM...Myskowski LONG TERM...Myskowski AVIATION...Hastings