408
FXUS61 KCTP 300810
AFDCTP

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
410 AM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
* Level 2 severe thunderstorm risk introduced for Tuesday (9/1)

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Late summer heat+humidity to close August and open September
2) Bouts of heavy rain & severe storms possible Monday-Wednesday

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Late summer heat+humidity to close August and
open September

Strong upper ridge expanding east-northeastward from the
south central Plains through the TN Valley into the southern
Mid Atlantic and Southeast states will deliver a stretch of
above normal late summer warmth and very humid conditions to
close out August and kickoff September. Forecast max/min
temperatures are projected to rise several degrees above the
historical average Sunday-Thursday with the largest departure
from normal (+10-20F) found in midweek overnight lows. The late
summer heat is forecast to peak Tuesday and Wednesday with max
heat indices approaching advisory levels in the mid to upper 90s
across parts of south central PA. The well above normal
temperatures combined with high humidity and very warm overnight
lows will result in level 2 (moderate) to level 3 (major)
HeatRisk values Tuesday and Wednesday. Increasing troughing
across the Northeast U.S. should drop temperatures back toward
seasonal climo by Friday/Saturday.

KEY MESSAGE 2: Bouts of heavy rain and severe storms possible
through late week

A series of mid level impulses tracking eastward along the
northern periphery of the elongated 500mb ridge will interact
with anomalous moisture/instability and strong flow aloft to
produce a few episodes of heavy rainfall and possible severe
weather through late week. There are typical timing and
amplitude differences of the smaller scale disturbances that
will need to be resolved, but the overall convective signal from
operational/ensemble/ML/AI guidance is supportively bullish.
There is a growing signal for severe storms and heavy rain on
Tuesday and Wednesday. SPC introduced a level 2 severe t-storm
risk for D3/Tuesday and maintained the 15% or level 2 equivalent
risk for D4/Wednesday. WPC continues to cover parts of CPA with
level 1 excessive rainfall outlooks which may be refined/upgraded
as the convective details become more clear and confidence in
timing and location increases.

&&

.AVIATION /07Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Widespread VFR conds were observed this evening, with some high
cloudiness beginning to drift in from the northwest. Expect VFR
conds to continue into the overnight hours, with winds
diminishing.

Towards daybreak, low level southeasterly flow may lead to the
development/NWD advection of a stratocu deck over the Lower
Susq Valley, with cigs of 2500-4000 ft AGL. This could lead to a
few hours of MVFR restrictions at LNS and MDT toward daybreak
Sunday.

Sunday will see a light sfc W/SW wind of 5-10 kts develop across
Central PA. Any MVFR cigs over the Lower Susq Valley should
lift by midday. A few SHRA or TSRA could develop later in the
day, esp across northern PA, but most of the day should be dry.

Outlook...

Mon-Thu...Scattered SHRA/TSRA with brief restrictions possible;
morning fog possible.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl
KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl
DISCUSSION...Steinbugl
AVIATION...Evanego