Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC
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271 FXUS62 KRAH 101735 AFDRAH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 135 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * No significant changes with the mid-afternoon forecast update. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 130 PM Monday... 1) A typical late summer weather pattern continues today, with highs in the 90s and isolated showers and thunderstorms possible. 2) Risk for hot temperatures and dangerous heat begin to increase through late week. && .DISCUSSION... As of 130 PM Monday... KEY MESSAGE 1... A typical late summer weather pattern continues today, with highs in the 90s and isolated showers and thunderstorms possible. There has been little overall change from this morning for the forecast into tonight across central NC. Heat indices this afternoon will range from the upper 90s NW to lower 100s SE. The 12z high-res models continue to indicate isolated to scattered storm activity this afternoon and evening, although model scenarios differ on coverage and intensity. The morning surface analysis showed a weak Piedmont trough along and east of the US-1 corridor. Meanwhile, the latest satellite and radar trends would suggest the best coverage for storms across the Sandhills into the central Coastal Plain. This area has seen an increase in towering cumulus, as well as lightning probabilities from LightningCast. The MLCAPE in this area also approaches 3500 J/kg, where precipitable water values are over 2 inches. While we are not outlooked from SPC or WPC, given the environment and 20-25 kts of deep-layer shear, cannot rule out a stray downburst or two, as well as localized heavy rainfall. A few pockets of isolated storms will be possible also in the Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain, but confidence on coverage is quite low at the moment. Some CAMs suggest isolated activity tonight moving south out of VA (tied to development presently in OH/WV), but most of this should weaken with southward extent owing to stabilization overnight. Tues through Thurs: The southern flank of a belt of enhanced west- northwest mid-lvl flow over the Great Lakes and northern Mid- Atlantic will slowly shift south and into the Carolinas as early as Tues and persist over the region into the late week. During this time, a slight increase to the overall synoptic deep-layer shear is expected (15-30 kts, greatest towards the VA border). Additionally, any convectively induced perturbations and remnant MCV`s from more vigorous convection from the OH and TN Valley`s may provide locally more organized and greater coverage of convection along their track during this time. KEY MESSAGE 2... Risk for hot temperatures and dangerous heat begin to increase through late week. Sub-tropical ridging elongated across FL and into the northeast Gulf through Tues is expected to build over the lower/mid MS Valley midweek before shifting into the TN Valley and Deep South late week into the weekend. While the prevailing wnwly flow pattern aloft will be favorable for MCS development around the sub-tropical ridge, mesoscale uncertainties with their timing and track will have implications on both precipitation and wind potential into cntl NC and also impacts to what will otherwise be a hot and seasonably humid environment over cntl NC. Despite those uncertainties, the CAMs to varying degrees depict at least one vigorous MCS moving across the Virginias and into at least nrn NC on Tue. Its related outflow and debris cloudiness would then have ramifications on the track and development of subsequent convective clusters into the Carolinas on Wed. It will otherwise be hot for most of the week, between bouts of convection/outflow/cloudiness, with temperatures well into the 90s and with heat index values in the upr 90s to near 100 over the nw Piedmont to around 105 elsewhere, through at least Thu and potentially into Fri towards the SC border. The approach and possible passage of a frontal zone will probably yield less hot temperatures by Sat. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 130 PM Monday... VFR conditions are favored through the majority of the TAF period. The 12z high-res models continue to paint isolated afternoon and evening storms today, but disagree on overall coverage and intensity. The latest satellite and radar trends would suggest the best chance is at FAY/RWI in line with the greatest instability, in which PROB30 groups for TSRA were introduced. However, confidence on any storm reaching any one terminal is still low at the moment, with the best chance along southeastern sections of central NC. If any storms can develop over any one terminal this evening, patchy low visibilities or stratus is possible Tue morning. But for now, given the low confidence on storms, kept out any mention of restrictions Tue morning. Another round of storms is possible Tue afternoon and evening, with the better chance after 18z Tue. Outlook: Isolated showers/thunderstorms will be possible Tuesday afternoon, with increased chances for more widespread rain and associated restrictions returning Wednesday into late week. Each morning, low stratus and/or fog may bring the chance for sun-VFR restrictions. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...AK/AS/MWS AVIATION...AK/LH