Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC
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063 FXUS62 KRAH 202311 AFDRAH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 711 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * No major changes. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 711 PM Sunday... 1) Dry weather overnight, low level moisture on the increase with patchy dense fog in some areas late. 2) An approaching cold front will bring the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms on Monday, followed by a chance for heavy rainfall on Tuesday. 3) Cold-air damming will develop by the middle of the week, bringing several days of well below normal temperatures. && .DISCUSSION... As of 711 PM Sunday... KEY MESSAGE 1... Most of the scattered showers and thunderstorms have died off to our west and north. Dry weather is expected overnight. However, there will be a slow increase in the low level moisture through the late night and sunrise. Surface dew points are expected to reach 70+ at most locations by 12z, with lower 70s by 15z/Monday. There is a chance of patchy dense fog later tonight especially in the Coastal Plain and possibly the eastern Piedmont. KEY MESSAGE 2... An approaching cold front will bring the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms on Monday, followed by a chance for heavy rainfall on Tuesday. As a cold front slowly moves south across the Appalachians, Monday should be the last day with widespread upper 80 and 90 degree temperatures across central North Carolina. Although Monday morning will start off sunny, as the front begins to drop to the south, cloud cover will increase and showers/storms will begin to fire early in the afternoon along the VA/NC border. The greatest chance for rain will be along the state border, although most locations will have at least some chance for rain, particularly in the evening. The wind shear that could provide better organization for thunderstorms should remain to the north across Virginia, although MUCAPE locally will range from 1000 to 2000 J/kg. There will still be the potential for some isolated strong to severe thunderstorms across central North Carolina, particularly to the west of US-1. The most likely timing for severe thunderstorms should be between 2-6pm with the threat coming from damaging winds. In addition, cannot rule out the potential for some flash flooding near and around the Triad with the urban environment allowing for a better chance of excessive rainfall occurring. With the front moving south into North Carolina Monday night into Tuesday, that will put the forecast area onto the cool side of the boundary, which should reduce/eliminate the chance for severe weather on Tuesday. However, widespread rainfall is expected, and along the cool side of the boundary, high rainfall rates will still be possible, with the entire area will be under a marginal (level 1 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall, primarily Tuesday afternoon. KEY MESSAGE 3... Cold-air damming will develop by the middle of the week, bringing several days of well below normal temperatures. With the front slipping to the south of the area late Tuesday, a ridge of high pressure will extend south into the Carolinas from a strong high that will remain over Quebec for several days. While models are coming into better agreement that a low pressure system will develop off the Atlantic coast Thursday and move north, there is good model agreement that a sustained period of northeast wind and widespread cloud cover will occur Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday will be the first full day of fall, and it will feel like it - locations north and west of I-85 are unlikely to rise out of the 60s both Wednesday and Thursday, with the rest of the area only rising into the 70s. Widespread light rain is likely on Wednesday, with conditions beginning to dry out on Thursday. The pattern, both with temperature and precipitation, should begin to moderate for Friday through Sunday, primarily based on model predictions of the Atlantic low moving towards New England and pushing the ridge of high pressure to the west. The end of this week looks to favor mostly sunny skies, minimal chances for rainfall, and highs in the 70s. Roxboro could see its temperature dip into the 40s on Saturday morning for the first time in several months. && .AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 711 PM Sunday... Through 00Z Tuesday: VFR conditions will prevail across central NC through this evening. There is a good chance of fog (MVFR to IFR) at KRDU/KFAY and KRWI between 09z and 13z as low level moisture increases. The areas of fog will burn off and reveal VFR conditions mid to late Monday morning. Generally MVFR to VFR cigs are expected Monday afternoon. There is a chance of showers/storms, especially in the NW at KGSO/KINT. Outlook: A cold front approaching late Monday will bring a better chance of showers and storms to the entire area late Monday into Tuesday. Unsettled weather may persist under a CAD-regime developing Tuesday-Wednesday, where periods of sub-VFR stratus and fog may exist into late week, especially each early morning. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Badgett/Danco/Green AVIATION...Badgett/Danco