Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Cleveland, OH

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503 FXUS61 KCLE 161735 AFDCLE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Cleveland OH 135 PM EDT Sun Jun 16 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A strong upper level ridge will remain in place through this week, resulting in near-record heat across the region. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
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130 PM EDT Update... The forecast remains on track through the next 12-15 hours. However, late tonight into Monday morning, convection associated with a shortwave/MCV will pivot across Michigan. Still some uncertainty in the southward extent of the track of this convection, but currently thinking it will largely remain to the north of the CWA due to the building ridge. PoPs increase slightly as the shortwave crests the ridge Monday morning and afternoon, but still quite a bit of uncertainty in the placement of any boundaries which will be the main source of convergence for shower/thunderstorm development. Will need to monitor CAMs over the next several updates, as any cloud cover/precipitation could throw a wrench into the apparent temperature forecast for Monday afternoon. Previous Discussion... A prolonged heat wave is expected to begin across the region on Monday and persist through at least Friday. Daily maximum heat indices of 100 to 105 degrees are possible with low temperatures not expected to dip below 70 degrees. Although confidence is low on heat indices reaching or exceeding traditional heat warning criteria of 105 degrees, confidence is high in heat indices exceeding 100 for an extended period of time. Therefore, given the prolonged nature and rarity of the upcoming heat wave, have gone ahead and issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the entire area from Monday through Friday. For today, the upper-level ridge will begin to establish itself as surface high pressure exits east of the area into New England. A dry air mass will remain in place through much of today, so anticipate dew points to mix out quite a bit and perhaps even lower than NBM guidance given high temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s. This will feel more like a "dry" heat, albeit still well above-normal temperature wise for this time of the year. The start of the heatwave will begin on Monday as a surface warm front lifts northeast across the area, pumping in additional low- level moisture which, combined with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s, will result in heat indices of 100 to 105 degrees. Given the anomalously-warm 850mb temperatures, not anticipating much in the way of convection, although can`t rule out a few isolated storms. The forcing mechanism for any isolated storms would either be from a lake breeze or the arrival of a weak surface trough from the south.
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&& .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... Models now becoming a little more aggressive with an influx of low/mid level moisture off the boundary layer which is going to translate to some slightly higher POPs for the CWA come Tuesday. Convection triggers will likely be a combination of strong heating and weak waves in the flow aloft moving south to north into the area. With some coverage of convection and added cloud cover potential, this makes Tuesday a slightly cooler day than Monday, although still hot and humid. A little less low/mid level moisture once again for Wednesday as the upper level high retrogrades back southward into the mid Atlantic and the POPs return to their now weather status for the end of the short term. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... After Thursday, there will be a very gradual cooling trend heading into next weekend, but the temperatures will still be well above normal. Upper ridge will gradually drop southward into the SE CONUS with 500mb heights slowly lowering for the CWA as distance from the center of the upper high increases. The ridge itself will also gradually degrade towards more seasonal type heights. As the flow aloft attempts to go zonal towards the end of the long term, will see a rain chance increase into the weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z Sunday THROUGH Friday/...
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VFR will prevail through the TAF period, however shower/thunderstorm chances may increase slightly as a shortwave crosses the area late Monday morning/afternoon. With that being said, precipitation will be somewhat disorganized and will rely on any boundaries across the area which will be the main source of convergence, so opted to omit any showers/storms from the TAFs at this time. Winds will generally be out of the south/southwest at 6 to 12 knots through the TAF period. Outlook...Primarily VFR expected through Thursday. Isolated thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon on Monday and Tuesday, but confidence is low.
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&& .MARINE... Northeast to east winds today around 10kts with wave heights 1-2ft by this evening will become offshore through midweek less than 10kts, followed by light and variable Thursday and Friday. Wave heights generally a foot or less through this period. && .CLIMATE... A prolonged stretch of hot weather is expected this week. Temperatures are forecast to approach or exceed record highs on several days. The records for Monday, June 17 to Friday, June 21 are listed below for our official climate sites. Date Toledo Mansfield Cleveland Akron Youngstown Erie 06-17 97(1994) 94(1936) 94(2018) 94(2018) 95(1994) 90(2018) 06-18 98(1994) 93(1994) 96(1944) 96(1944) 95(1994) 92(2018) 06-19 98(1995) 94(1994) 92(1995) 94(1994) 94(1994) 92(1931) 06-20 98(1953) 94(1988) 96(1988) 95(1933) 95(1933) 92(2016) 06-21 100(2022) 96(1988) 95(2022) 97(1933) 98(1933) 95(1933) && .CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...Excessive Heat Watch from Monday morning through Friday evening for OHZ003-006>014-017>023-027>033-036>038-047- 089. Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for OHZ010>014- 020>022-089. PA...Excessive Heat Watch from Monday morning through Friday evening for PAZ001>003. NY...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Kahn NEAR TERM...Kahn/Maines SHORT TERM...26 LONG TERM...26 AVIATION...Maines MARINE...26 CLIMATE...