Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Burlington, VT

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994 FXUS61 KBTV 081951 AFDBTV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Burlington VT 351 PM EDT Wed May 8 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Scattered showers with some embedded thunderstorms will continue this afternoon. Some small hail and gusty winds are possible within thunderstorms. The thunderstorm threat will come to an end this evening, and the remainder of the night will be damp and cloudy with some drizzle. The rest of the week into early next week will see at least chances for showers continue each day as we enter into a wet and unsettled weather pattern.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
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As of 348 PM EDT Wednesday...After some breaks in the clouds developed this afternoon, the area has destabilized over the past few hours and some convective showers with some embedded thunderstorms have popped up. SPC mesoanalysis analyzing up to 500 J/kg SBCAPE developing as the cap erodes. Best instability is analyzed over the southern Champlain Valley and into Essex County, NY, where the most clearing has occurred. Expect the instability to begin to wane over the next couple of hours as we move past peak diurnal heating and cloud cover increases. Best window for thunderstorms continues to be between now and 6 PM. Have already had several reports of pea sized or slightly larger hail within thunderstorms, and seeing evidence on radar to support wind gusts in excess of 40 mph within and around thunderstorms. Expect these threats to persist with any additional storms that develop later this afternoon. Continuing to also note impressive low-level helicity values especially over our northern counties. As we progress into late afternoon/evening, expect additional isolated to scattered thunderstorms to pulse up and down as a shortwave continues to move through. A cold front will move south through the area tonight, though impacts will be restricted to just some low clouds and drizzle. Forecast soundings suggest a layer of low-level moisture will become trapped under a mid-level inversion, resulting in a dreary night with low stratus, mist, and drizzle. Additional shortwave energy moving through Thursday will keep low clouds around and have maintained a few light showers in the forecast. Some areas may see low clouds erode during the afternoon, leading to a few peaks of sunshine, but overall looking at predominantly mostly cloudy skies. Very little change in the overall pattern going into Thursday night, so will again expect lowering stratus clouds through the night especially in higher terrain. Low temperatures will be in the 40s both tonight and Thursday night, and high temperatures Thursday will be in the 50s to around 60.
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
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As of 348 PM EDT Wednesday...The overall trend noted by the previous discussion towards drier conditions for Friday continued with the 12Z NWP guidance with shortwave energy dropping south of the region from the Ohio Valley through the Mid-Atlantic states. The northeast will remain under a broad upper level trough though so some showers can`t be ruled out, especially south. Dry conditions generally rule Friday night in between shortwave troughs, but chances for showers return on Saturday as a deepening trough over the Great Lakes will shift the flow to southwesterly across the region. The highest chances for showers will be across northern New York, with PoPs lower across Vermont. Temperatures will run near normal through the period with highs slightly cooler in the mid 50s to low 60s, and lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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As of 348 PM EDT Wednesday...More unsettled conditions look to return for the latter half of the weekend as the aforementioned upper trough shifts offshore and potentially deepens and closes off. The GFS is the most aggressive solution while the ECMWF and GDPS are lesser so, offering lower chances for precipitation. Being it`s Mothers Day we`ll offer a little hope for drier weather and lean towards consensus and blended guidance with PoPs 40-50% across the region through Monday. Heading into mid-week conditions continue to remain unsettled as the upper flow trends northwesterly with several shortwave passages possible. Not looking at any impactful rain or thunderstorms, but the chance for showers exists each day.
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&& .AVIATION /20Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Through 18Z Thursday...Isolated to scattered showers with some embedded thunderstorms are expected over the next few hours, initially forming over northern NY and progressing eastward into Vermont. With regards to ceiling heights, expect highly variable conditions across the forecast area, with a general downward/deteriorating trend as we head into the overnight hours. Many sites will see a mix of MVFR/VFR conditions this afternoon, then see MVFR ceilings become more predominant into the evening. Overnight, forecasting some IFR ceilings with some reduced visibilities due to patchy fog and drizzle that will persist towards the morning hours. Winds are initially SSE at the beginning of the TAF period for most sites, with some afternoon gusts expected 15 to 25 kt. Winds will quickly trend to the NW by 00Z, diminishing to under 10 knots overnight. Outlook... Thursday Night: VFR. Chance RA. Friday: VFR. Chance RA, Chance SHRA. Friday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. Saturday: VFR. Chance SHRA. Saturday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Chance SHRA. Sunday: Mainly MVFR, with areas VFR possible. Chance SHRA. Sunday Night: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Slight chance SHRA. Monday: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Chance SHRA. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Duell NEAR TERM...Duell SHORT TERM...Lahiff LONG TERM...Lahiff AVIATION...Duell