Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Albany, NY

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678
FXUS61 KALY 180527
AFDALY

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albany NY
127 AM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes with this forecast update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) A weak surface low will bring showers to the region through
this evening, but no significant impacts are expected.

2) Dry and cool weather returns Friday into Saturday, with another
low pressure system expected to bring widespread rainfall on
Sunday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
A weak area of low pressure is beginning to track eastward
across the region which is currently located across the western
Mohawk Valley. An area of showers are accompanying this low and
are approaching the Hudson Valley and points east after passing
through areas to the west this morning. No thunder has occurred
with this activity thus far and no thunder is expected to
develop through the rest of the day. These showers will produce
anywhere from 0.25 to 0.75 inches in some areas through this
evening but will not result in any hydrological impacts.


KEY MESSAGE 2...
A cold front crosses the area later tonight as surface high
pressure builds in from Canada. Prior to the frontal passage,
some low clouds and/or fog is likely with low level moisture
lingering. As drier air begins to filter in later tonight, these
clouds and fog should begin to dissipate. Sunshine returns for
Friday along with decreasing humidity. There will be a light
breeze out of the northwest where some gusts to around 20-25
mph will be possible during the afternoon hours. Highs will
reach the upper 60s to upper 70s. A weak upper level shortwave
will cross the region Friday evening which will bring a brief
period of high clouds, though with the dry air mass in place,
temperatures will still be able to fall quickly. Most areas will
fall back into the 40s with some mid to upper 30s in the higher
elevations. Some patchy frost remains possible across parts of
the Adirondacks, though overall coverage may not be enough to
warrant an advisory. Another mostly sunny and dry day is
expected Saturday but with continued cooling aloft, it will not
be as warm as on Friday with most areas only reaching the 60s.

Guidance continues to be consistent with a low pressure system
tracking south of our area (likely across northern PA) with
favorable upper level support and isentropic lift to bring a
widespread rainfall to the region. Rain will begin toward
daybreak Sunday and continue throughout the day before tapering
off Sunday evening and night. The heaviest rainfall totals will
likely occur across southern areas which will be within the axis
of greatest moisture (precipitable water values greater than
1.50 inches) and forcing for ascent. Current expected rainfall
amounts are around 1 to 2 inches from Albany and points south
with 0.25 inches to 1.00 inches to the north. Most of this rain
should be beneficial due to the prolonged period of
precipitation but will monitor for some localized ponding water
in urban and poor drainage areas should some heavier periods of
rain occur, especially for southern areas. Temperatures may not
get out of the 50s for most areas on Sunday.

We continue to be in close proximity to a stalled frontal
boundary to our south for early next week. High pressure will
attempt to nose in from the north. Where the front sets up will
determine when chances for precipitation return. Right now, the
high looks to win out on most days bringing mainly dry weather,
though if the front positions itself slightly farther north,
the chances for some showers on some days will increase. Will
continue to monitor trends. Regardless, temperatures look to run
slightly below normal during this time with highs mainly in the
60s with some 50s in the higher elevations.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Through 06z Saturday...IFR to LIFR cigs and/or vsbys currently at
GFL/POU/PSF due to abundant low-level moisture. ALB has had some
brief IFR vsbys, but remained largely MVFR over the last couple of
hours. Fog/mist/low stratus and IFR or lower conditions expected to
persist through around 12z for POU/PSF/GFL, with periods of MVFR
remaining possible at ALB.

NW winds pick up behind a cold front this morning around 12z which,
along with drier low-level air working into the region, should lead
to quick improvement back to MVFR cigs/VFR vsbys and eventually VFR
cigs as well be mid to late morning. From then onwards, just FEW to
SCT clouds 4000-6000 ft expected through the rest of the day and
into tonight with prevailing VFR conditions. High clouds also begin
to increase after sunset.

Winds remain light and variable through the rest of the night,
increasing to 5-10 kt from the N/NW after 12z and closer to 10 kt by
late morning through around sunset with gusts to around 20 kt. Gusts
subside after sunset, but light northerly winds continue from around
00z through the end of the TAF period.

Outlook...

Friday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Saturday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Saturday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of RA.
Sunday: High Operational Impact. Definite RA.
Sunday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA.
Monday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Monday Night: Low Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Tuesday: Low Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.

&&

.ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
NY...None.
MA...None.
VT...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...33
AVIATION...35/07