Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Raleigh/Durham, NC

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662 FXUS62 KRAH 010110 AFDRAH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 910 PM EDT Tue Apr 30 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A slow moving surface trough will shift across central NC through Wednesday afternoon. Weak high pressure will linger over the area through Friday before sliding offshore ahead of a cold front Saturday into Sunday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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As of 910 PM Tuesday... Even with the shortwave trough noted in WV imagery over the southern Appalachians, radar continued to show shower and thunderstorm activity largely avoiding central NC. The isolated thunderstorms were noted near Danville moving east. There is an outflow boundary associated with this convection and it may help generate a shower or storm along the NC/VA border in the next couple of hours. However, instability is lacking and there is already developing convective inhibition with sunset. Other light showers or sprinkles were located over the Triad and over Scotland/Hoke counties. Most hi-res guidance suggests this activity will likely die out with the lack of instability in the next few hours. There is still a chance of a shower overnight as the shortwave trough moves east across the region. Otherwise, generally dry and warm with lows in the lower to mid 60s with partly to mostly cloudy skies.
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&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 245 PM Tuesday... The shortwave will be positioned over the Coastal Plain of the Carolinas by Wed morning with the trough axis shifting out over the western Atlantic by Wed evening. NWP models have come in slightly stronger with the shortwave ridging building in behind the departing shortwave. The result will be a stronger subsidence inversion overspreading central NC through the afternoon and evening hours and suppressing any showers potential over the Piedmont. Wed morning into the early afternoon some showers/storms will be possible over the NC Coastal Plain where the core of the shortwave will overlap with 500 to 1000 J/kg of MLCAPE as well as a surface trough axis and sea-breeze interaction. Once again, storm organization will likely remain confined to multi-cell clusters along common cold pools given 15-25 kts of 0-6km shear, a majority of which is located above 700mb. Low-level thickness will be on average around 1-3m greater compared to Tuesday and with greater sunshine chances most places will be able to rise into the low/mid 80s once again. Lows will be more indicative of a radiational cooling night with mostly clear skies and most locations able to go calm relatively early in the night, supporting temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s. Patchy to areas of fog seem probable in the Coastal Plain by early Thurs morning with the lingering rich low-level moisture in addition to moderate radiational cooling. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 355 PM Tuesday... Strong upper level ridge will influence the region Thursday and Friday before moving offshore early Saturday. A series of shortwaves will move across the region early next week. At the surface, high pressure will influence the Mid-Atlantic region. Light calm winds with mostly sunny skies will set up for warm days on Thursday and Friday with highs well above average in the mid to upper 80s both days. By Saturday morning confidence in the forecast becomes less confident as models have been inconsistent. Latest data shows by Saturday morning increased moisture values to 1.5+ ahead of a cold front moving across the TN and OH valley will bring isolated to scattered showers and storms to the area Saturday and continuing into Sunday. The cold front will move across the region Sunday before stalling across the region on Monday. Less coverage is expected on Monday but depending where the front stalls, isolated to scattered showers and storms could be possible. The stalled front is expected to dissipate and most of Tuesday is expected to be dry, but multiple long range models show another round of showers and storms by late afternoon Tuesday ahead of another frontal passage moving across the Southern Plains and Southeast. Temperatures over the weekend will largely depend on timing and coverage of the precipitation, but generally expect highs in the upper 70s to low/mid 80s. Lows in the upper 50s and low 60s. && .AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 825 PM Tuesday... The significant showers/isolated thunderstorms have remained to our NW and SW-S through mid-evening. There is still a chance of a shower or thunderstorm, mainly in the NW and across the southern Piedmont. Otherwise, variably cloudy skies with generally VFR conditions are favored. There is a chance of LIFR to IFR CIGS over areas that get some rain, especially around KINT between 10z and 12z. VFR conditions expected between 12z and 18z. Beyond 18z Wed, scattered showers and isolated storms will be possible in the NC Coastal Plain, potentially impacting RWI, Wednesday afternoon. Clearing skies, calm conditions and continued moist low-levels may support the development of fog in the Coastal Plain late Wednesday night. Scattered shower/storm chances increase late Fri through Sat with the potential for sub-VFR conditions including early-morning fog. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...Swiggett NEAR TERM...Badgett SHORT TERM...Swiggett LONG TERM...CA AVIATION...Badgett