


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Portland, ME
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Issued by NWS Portland, ME
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-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --317 FXUS61 KGYX 151802 AFDGYX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 202 PM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025 .SYNOPSIS...-- Changed Discussion --Surface high pressure is providing quiet weather with the exception of morning and marine fog for the next few days. Daytime temperatures in the 80s and 90s will produce high heat indices in the mid 90s for some areas. Unsettled weather returns Thursday with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. This will be followed by cooler and drier conditions Friday into the weekend.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...-- Changed Discussion --Impacts and Key Messages: * Warm overnight apparent temperatures in southeastern New Hampshire will add to any heat stress accumulated today. Daytime heating has led to some cumulus development across the area, but dry mid level air should preclude any chance of showers. The exception may be later this evening in far southern New Hampshire where seabreeze convergence along a stalled frontal boundary may tip off some brief light showers. This is suggested in most of the hi-res models, so introduced low chance PoPs to the forecast. Otherwise, clear skies will prevail overnight allowing temperatures to drop into the mid to upper 60s south of the mountains and into the low 60s to the north. Humidity will remain high overnight in southeastern New Hampshire which will add to any heat stress accumulated today, therefore extended the heat advisory to run overnight.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...-- Changed Discussion --Impacts and Key Messages: * Heat indices will climb in to the mid to upper 90s in southeastern New Hampshire and far southwestern Maine, and low 90s in many inland locations south of the mountains. Wednesday will feature mostly sunny, but hazy skies as ridging peaks overhead. This ridge will keep smoke elevated and mostly out of our area once again, but the haze will be evident. Forecast soundings suggest deep mixing with ample dry air in the mixed levels. This would act to bring dewpoints down a bit during the day and therefore keep many locations short of Heat Advisory criteria. Therefore, have only expanded the Heat Advisory slightly as confidence remains high in southeastern New Hampshire and far southwestern Maine seeing heat indices in the mid to upper 90s. Other inland locations still stand to see heat indices in the low 90s, so heat safety should still be considered when outdoors advisory or not. Areas north of the mountains should be a little better off with the lower dewpoints, and the coast should see a seabreeze develop, so both of these areas likely only see temperatures and heat indices in the upper 80s. The ridge begins to break down Wednesday night as a shortwave trough approaches from the west. This will increase clouds overnight and even introduce a low chance for some light showers, and maybe even a rumble of thunder, western zones late evening and then across the area heading toward sunrise Thursday. The increased cloud cover and elevated dewpoints will result in a warm night south of the mountains with temperatures only falling into the upper 60s and low 70s. Northern zones will fall into the low to mid 60s. This increased low level moisture likely results in fog development overnight as well.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...-- Changed Discussion --Key Messages - Scattered storms with heavy rainfall Thursday - Cold front Friday followed by less humidity and dry conditions - Seasonal temperatures for the weekend with cool nights The ridge that has brought hot conditions across much of the area on Tue/Wed will begin to break down Thu as a shortwave enters the area from the NW. As a result, a surface low and cold front will move slowly through the region, aiding in the chance of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. Moisture out ahead of the front will be plentiful with high PWATs and 70+ dewpoints. This high moisture, coupled with moderate instability and deep layer shear, could lead to an isolated strong storm or two as well as a chance for heavy rain and localized flooding. Storm coverage looks highest over northern NH and ME, closer to the front. Also worth noting is the continued chance for high temperatures, and especially heat indices, on Thursday. Despite increased cloud coverage leading to lower daytime highs when compared to Wednesday, the previously mentioned dewpoints could contribute to heat indices over 90, especially along the southern coastal plain region where clouds will be fewer. The front should finally clear the area on Friday, ushering in drier nw flow. Gustier winds are possible on Friday as 30kt boundary layer could mix down to the surface, leading to gusts of 20-30mph. This would lead to rough seas and boating conditions, particularly in the northern Lakes Region. This drier airmass and period of offshore flow will also decrease the likelihood of sea fog, which has been prevalent over the last few days. High pressure coupled with zonal flow aloft will continue to usher in drier and cooler conditions throughout the rest of the weekend and into early next week. Some embedded features within the flow could spark a few showers and thunderstorms. However due to the subtleness of these features, confidence is low in the timing.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...-- Changed Discussion --Short Term...Terminals that saw IFR ceilings and visibilities last night will likely see them again tonight. Similarly, improvement to VFR should happen shortly after 12Z Wednesday. Fog and low ceilings are likely once again Wednesday night as well. No significant wind gusts or low level wind shear expected. Long Term...Stratus/fog possible again on Thursday morning, then showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain could bring IFR conditions Thursday, then improving to VFR under sunny skies Friday. Mainly VFR thereafter.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .MARINE...-- Changed Discussion --Short Term...Winds and seas will remain below SCA conditions through Wedensday night. Southwesterly flow will allow areas of fog to develop tonight and again Wednesday night. Long Term...Finally looking at some erosion of the persistent sea fog with the frontal passage on Friday. NW flow will make it across the coastal waters allowing in drier air, which will persist into Saturday. Return flow will slowly bring in more humid conditions, which could bring fog back later in the weekend. Seas will be generally 1-3`, with some choppier seas on Friday post-frontal. Winds will be out of the S for much of the forecast, with the NW flow expected behind the front Friday where winds could gust to 20kt. No notable swells, though starting to pick up on some SE 12+ sec (<0.5`) later in the model guidance.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...-- Changed Discussion --ME...Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Wednesday for MEZ018. NH...Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Wednesday for NHZ010. Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Wednesday for NHZ012-013. MARINE...None.-- End Changed Discussion --&& $$ NEAR/SHORT TERM...Baron LONG TERM...Venarsky MARINE...Jamison