


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV
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422 FXUS61 KRLX 161605 AFDRLX AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 1205 PM EDT Wed Jul 16 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A tropically influenced airmass remains over the region with numerous weak disturbances passing through. Locally heavy showers and storms are possible each afternoon. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 1203 PM Wednesday... Showers and thunderstorms will return today as a weak disturbance aloft tracks from west to east. The northern mountains and portions of northern West Virginia and southeast Ohio will be at greatest risk of seeing rain today. Heavy downpours will continue to be the main concern with very high moisture content in the atmosphere. Precipitable Water (PWAT) values are forecast to range from 1.8 inches in the mountains to 2.2 inches along and west of the Ohio River. While wind shear is expected to remain weak (20-25 knots), it may be sufficient to support a localized damaging wind threat. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a marginal risk of severe weather for the area today, with damaging winds being the primary concern. Thunderstorms will gradually diminish after sunset, leading to generally quiet conditions overnight. Thursday will be another repeat of todays weather with additional afternoon showers and thunderstorms as another upper-level disturbance passes by. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a slight risk of excessive rainfall across the northern portions of the area today, closely aligning with the 500-mb shortwave`s track. The excessive rainfall threat for Thursday is marginal, likely due to weaker forcing. However, given increasingly saturated ground conditions and high atmospheric moisture content, close monitoring for flooding potential will remain crucial. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 1204 PM Wednesday... The excessive rainfall threat will increase heading into the weekend as a front approaches the middle Ohio Valley and becomes stationary. Models are in strong agreement that a southwesterly flow of moisture into a parked frontal boundary will create numerous showers and thunderstorms each day. Widespread PWAT values are expected to be 2 inches or greater across the region. With numerous days of scattered to widespread thunderstorm activity and an already saturated ground, flooding will be closely monitored each day this weekend. The severe threat again remains low throughout the weekend, but isolated damaging wind gusts cannot be ruled out in some thunderstorms. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 1204 PM Wednesday... A retreating frontal boundary on Sunday, coupled with residual upper- level energy and a moist southwesterly flow from the Gulf, will maintain a risk of heavy rainfall. Beyond Sunday, the forecast becomes more uncertain due to diverging model solutions. The ECMWF suggests a cold front may clear the region on Monday, bringing high pressure and a brief break in the rainfall Tuesday. Conversely, the GFS indicates the front may linger, leading to continued unsettled weather Tuesday and Wednesday. && .AVIATION /16Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 650 AM Wednesday... Patchy fog will dissipate in the next couple hours allowing flight conditions to return to VFR early this morning. Showers and storms will spread across the area during the day, with most extensive coverage occurring during the afternoon and evening hours. Periods of MVFR to IFR conditions will be possible within storms today, then activity lessens tonight. Winds should remain light with a south to south west direction during the day, though stronger gusts may occur in storms. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing, locations and intensity of showers and thunderstorms could vary from forecast. 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 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 EDT 1HRLY 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 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 M 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 THURSDAY... Brief periods of IFR conditions possible under showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours through the week. IFR or worse fog is also possible overnight, especially where any heavy rain falls during the day. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...JMC NEAR TERM...JMC SHORT TERM...JMC LONG TERM...JMC AVIATION...20