Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA

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000 FXUS61 KLWX 211418 AFDLWX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 1018 AM EDT Sun Apr 21 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure will pass south of the area today. High pressure will build overhead Monday and Tuesday. A cold front will cross the area Wednesday, followed by high pressure for the end of the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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Mid-morning update: Skies are currently overcast across the entire forecast area. Radar imagery shows returns across Central Virginia and the Central Shenandoah Valley, but the 12z IAD sounding shows ample dry air at low-levels. As a result, little, if any of this precipitation is making it to the ground. The column may eventually saturate, allowing some light rain to fall from Central Virginia to Southern Maryland late this morning into early this afternoon, but dry conditions are expected elsewhere. Previous discussion follows... A front is stalled across the southeastern states this morning with multiple waves of low pressure along it. High level clouds have spread northward across the forecast area, and mid level clouds will follow suit after sunrise. Overall it will be a mostly cloudy day, which combined with the cooler post frontal airmass, will mean that temperatures will remain below 60 for most areas. A shortwave will cause overrunning rain to spread northeastward from the frontal zone later this morning into the afternoon. The cutoff for this precipitation will be very close to Nelson and St. Marys Counties, with 00Z guidance indicating an increased chance for light rain across far southern Maryland. Skies will clear this evening, but the passage of a trough and pressure rises may mean winds remain elevated for a time. It does appear winds should slack during the second half of the night, especially west of the Blue Ridge. With dew points in the upper 20s, there is potential for subfreezing temperatures, and have thus issued a Freeze Watch. Probabilities are slightly higher in the central Shenandoah Valley. In addition, Frost Advisories may be needed for locations west of the I-95 corridor as temperatures likely dip to the mid 30s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... High pressure will build in from the west Monday and Monday night with mostly clear skies expected. While slightly warmer overall, temperatures will still be a little below normal. Frost may be a concern for rural areas again Monday night. The high will push to the south and east on Tuesday. Increasing southerly flow will result in temperatures warming into the mid 60s to lower 70s. Clouds will gradually increase ahead of a low pressure system moving through the Great Lakes. Showers ahead of this system may reach the Appalachians during the evening and definitely overnight as the cold front approaches. While some showers may spread across the remainder of the area, recent guidance has been trending drier east of the mountains. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... High pressure will move east to the coast Wednesday. A cold front will push across the region Wednesday morning. The possible timing of frontal passage early in the day, along with a developing westerly downsloping flow, could reduce the possibility of any strong thunderstorms or prolonged periods of showers. As a matter of fact, many areas to the east of the Appalachians may not see any rainfall Wednesday into Wednesday night. High temperatures Wednesday will be near average. An upslope wind into the ridgeline of the Appalachians could lead to some enhancement of shower activity, but probably not widespread or flood potential. An area of cooler high pressure is expected to build behind the front Thursday with a reinforcing center of high pressure expected on Friday. Dry conditions expected each day with high temperatures a couple of degrees below average. Highs near 60 to lower 60s each day. By Saturday, the secondary high moves to the east. A developing warm front to our southwest Friday night will push east and north Friday night and during the day Saturday. Increased light rain chances and perhaps some elevated thunder are possible ahead of and along this warm front late Friday night and Saturday. Temperatures will be closer to average, if not a few degrees above average on Saturday. This will depend on how far the warm front pushes east and north. && .AVIATION /14Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... VFR conditions are expected through Tuesday. Mid and high level ceilings are expected through this afternoon. North to northwest winds are expected through Monday at 10 kt or less. Increasing southerly flow on Tuesday may gust to 20 kt. VFR conditions Wednesday through Thursday night. Winds southwest becoming northwest and increasing 15 to 25 knots Wednesday and Wednesday night. Winds northwest 10 to 15 knots gusts up to 20 knots Thursday. Winds becoming northeast 5 to 10 knots Thursday night. && .MARINE...
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Sub-SCA winds are ongoing, but a surge of NNW winds is expected tonight, and a SCA has been issued for that time period. Lighter winds are expected Monday and Monday night as high pressure builds overhead. Increasing southerly flow will develop Tuesday and Tuesday night. SCAs will likely be needed. Small craft advisories likely Wednesday through Thursday morning. Small craft advisories may still be possible Thursday afternoon. No marine hazards Thursday night. Winds becoming northwest 15 to 25 knots gusts up to 30 knots Wednesday through Thursday morning. Winds northwest 10 to 20 knots Thursday afternoon. Winds becoming northeast around 10 knots Thursday night.
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&& .LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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DC...None. MD...Freeze Watch from late tonight through Monday morning for MDZ003. VA...Freeze Watch from late tonight through Monday morning for VAZ025>031-507-508. WV...Freeze Watch from late tonight through Monday morning for WVZ050>053-055. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 6 AM EDT Monday for ANZ530>532-539-540. Small Craft Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM EDT Monday for ANZ533-534-537-541-543.
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&& $$ SYNOPSIS...ADS NEAR TERM...ADS/KJP SHORT TERM...ADS LONG TERM...KLW AVIATION...ADS/KLW MARINE...ADS/KJP/KLW

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