


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV
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793 FXUS61 KRLX 011757 AFDRLX AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 157 PM EDT Mon Sep 1 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Dry weather opens up the month of September amid high pressure. The chance for showers and thunderstorms increases mid-week ahead of a cold front, which crosses Thursday night. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 1215 PM Monday... The synoptic pattern continues to be dominated by a sprawling surface high pressure system anchored over the eastern third of the nation. This feature is providing an extended period of pleasant, late-summer weather with generally clear skies, low humidity, and cooler than average temperatures. These tranquil conditions will prevail through mid week as the high remains firmly in control. On the other hand, models show a broad mid to upper level low pressure system rotating over PA/WV/OH. An embedded shortwave could bring a shot of vorticity across NE Kentucky and extreme southern WV Tuesday afternoon and evening. With dewpoints in the 50s, only isolated showers or thunderstorms can be expected. However, probabilities of precipitation and confidence run low at this time. Temperatures should drop to near normal values tonight, generally into the low to mid 50s across the lowlands, ranging into the mid to low 40s northeast mountains. Near normal highs are anticipated for Tuesday, generally in the lower 80s across the lowlands, ranging into the lower 60s northeast mountains. Adjusted down dewpoints for Tuesday, during the afternoon/mixing hours using the NBM 10th percentile. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 1215 PM Monday... The aforementioned closed upper-level low pressure system centered over the PA/OH/WV region, will meander slowly eastward through mid- week. By Wednesday, models show this upper low reflecting a weak surface trough west of our area. This will likely result in an increase in dewpoints, and in perhaps some isolated showers nearby the surface reflection trough, where instability will be higher, but significant impacts are not anticipated for our forecast area on Wednesday. By Thursday, a stronger and more progressive upper-level shortwave will eject out of the main upper low and track southeastward. This feature will drive a surface cold front toward the region late Thursday. The environment ahead of this front is forecast to become dynamically unstable and supportive of organized convection. However, moisture profiles do not look impressive. Progged soundings for Thursday afternoon show SBCAPE values climbing to around 1800 J/kg, indicating marginal instability for robust updrafts. This, coupled with strong deep-layered shear about 40-50 knots, may be adequate for organized storm modes, including supercells. However, there is one limiting factor that introduces some uncertainty. Forecast Precipitable Water (PWAT) values are less than 1.5 inches. While adequate for showers and thunderstorms, this is not an overly moist airmass. This may act to limit the coverage and longevity of the convection. We could see strong to severe storms fire along the front, but they may struggle to remain surface-based or could be more isolated in nature due to the marginal moisture. The main threat remains strong to damaging winds, but we will continue to monitor trends as the event gets closer. Below normal temperatures are anticipated Wednesday into the weekend. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 1215 PM Monday... Behind the front, cooler airmass filters in, providing slightly below normal temperatures by the end of the week. Yet another reinforcing cold front crosses Saturday, bringing pleasant conditions under mostly clear skies through the weekend. Central guidance reflects little if any precipitation with this system, with the second front reinforcing the dry airmass across the area. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 156 PM Monday... Broad surface high pressure will provide widespread VFR conditions through the period. The exception will be for IFR conditions under dense fog at EKN from 08Z to 12Z overnight into early Tuesday morning. An inverted surface trough may serve as a focus for afternoon convection on Tuesday. Together with a passing shortwave, isolated short-lived showers and thunderstorms could develop. Brief periods of IFR conditions can be expected under heavier storms. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: High. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and intensity of fog at EKN overnight tonight may vary. EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION: H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS. L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. UTC 1HRLY 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 EDT 1HRLY 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H AFTER 18Z TUESDAY... IFR conditions possible in heavier showers and storms within an encroaching cold front Thursday. IFR possible in fog and stratus early Friday morning. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...ARJ NEAR TERM...ARJ SHORT TERM...ARJ LONG TERM...ARJ AVIATION...ARJ