812
FXUS61 KRLX 311024
AFDRLX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
624 AM EDT Fri Jul 31 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Have issued an SPS for portions of the forecast area for the
next couple hours where valley fog is most prevalent.

As of 334 AM...
A system brings potential for heavy rain and strong storms on
Sunday, then chances for mainly diurnal activity persist into
the work week.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Showers and thunderstorms return this weekend, with locally heavy
downpours and strong thunderstorms possible on Sunday.

2) Unsettled conditions persist for much of the work week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...

A low pressure system approaches from the west, entering the
Middle Ohio Valley this weekend. Showers and thunderstorms are
expected to move into the western half of the forecast area on
Saturday, then spread east as the system pivots overhead
Saturday night into Sunday.

Precipitable water values ranging from 1.5 to nearly 2.25 inches
signal potential for heavy downpours to accompany any showers or
storms that develop this weekend. These heavy downpours could
lead to localized flash flooding, particularly in poor
drainage areas.

Model soundings also project a favorable environment for some
stronger storms to develop amid moderate instability, plenty of
moisture, and 30 to 40 kts of shear Sunday afternoon.
Instability should then taper off after sundown.


KEY MESSAGE 2...

Some model solutions ferry the weekend system off to the
northeast before pulling another low up into the area from the
Gulf states. Another potential scenario involves a cutoff low
developing over the area and then lingering through the majority
of the work week. While details are yet uncertain, either
scenario should support chances of at least diurnally driven
showers and thunderstorms through much of the work week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
River valley fog will dissipate between 12-13Z, allowing VFR
conditions to take hold for the rest of the day amid light and
variable flow.

For tonight, winds will be calm to light and southeasterly. While
some fog may be possible at EKN, an approaching system brings
increased cloud cover that may hinder fog development for the
western terminals.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: High today, Medium tonight.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of improvement to VFR this morning
and extent of fog tonight may vary from the 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.

DATE                    FRI 07/31/26
UTC 1HRLY       08   09   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19
EDT 1HRLY       04   05   06   07   08   09   10   11   12   13   14   15
CRW CONSISTENCY  M    M    M    M    L    M    H    H    H    H    H    H
HTS CONSISTENCY  L    M    M    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
BKW CONSISTENCY  M    L    L    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
EKN CONSISTENCY  M    M    M    M    M    L    L    H    H    H    H    H
PKB CONSISTENCY  M    M    M    M    L    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
CKB CONSISTENCY  M    M    M    M    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H

AFTER 12Z SATURDAY...
IFR restrictions are possible with showers and thunderstorms
Saturday night through Sunday.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...None.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...GW/20
AVIATION...20