Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA

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550 FXUS61 KRNK 070629 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 229 AM EDT Tue May 7 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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The weather pattern will remain unsettled for much of the week with a daily threat of afternoon and evening thunderstorms through Thursday. Cooler and drier weather returns by the weekend.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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As of 220 AM EDT Tuesday... Key Message: 1) Potential thunderstorm this afternoon and evening. A few showers still remain throughout the area this morning, but coverage and intensity of these showers have been on a downtrend. Expect most showery activity to subside by daybreak. Fog will begin to develop again as skies clear, and could be dense in some locations. Lows this morning remain mild in the upper 50s/low 60s. Upper wave responsible for the rain/storms yesterday will move off the Mid-Atlantic coast this morning and weak ridging builds overhead. Will see an increase in westerly winds behind the departing wave. Still a bit of uncertainty on storm coverage today with the upper ridging and westerly flow that will be in place, which tends to suppress storm development. HRRR, NAM, and multiple renditions of the WRF all indicate very spotty coverage today as well. With this is mind, kept the PoPs highest over the western mountains really decreased chances east of the mountains. May have late development as the westerly wind relaxes late this evening, but will begin to lose instability by that point as we lose daytime heating. However, any storm that is able to develop will have the potential for damaging winds, especially with modeled DCAPE over 1000 J/kg by the mid- afternoon. Expecting any convection to quickly diminish after sunset and may have areas of fog develop again tonight. Low a bit warmer in the mid to low 60s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 PM EDT Monday... Key Messages: - Increasing flash flood threat - Periods of numerous showers and thunderstorms Short range starts with south west flow between large upper low over the Northern Plains and upper ridging over the western Atlantic. Then by Thursday a long wave troughing digs over the eastern United States. The upper trough axis moves the coast for Sunday and Monday. At the surface the main cold front will cross the area Thursday. Temperatures remain above normal ahead of the front, especially overnight. Precipitable water values remain just above two standard deviations above normal ahead of the front through Thursday as forecast by the North American Ensemble. Plus multiple days of numerous thunderstorms will steadily saturate the soil leading to a higher probability of flooding by Thursday. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 130 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: - Temperatures cool off - Daily threat of thunderstorms continues Overall synoptic scale pattern during this time frame features broad troughing in the eastern United States and lower 5000 MB heights. No particular focus to aid in development of precipitation but region remains cooler than earlier in the week, but warm enough for a daily chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. For now, enough of a break from the deep moisture to the forecast for Monday dry. && .AVIATION /06Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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As of 230 AM EDT Tuesday... Poor flying tonight at many locations due to patchy dense fog. Fog coverage will continue to increase through sunrise as mid level clouds erode, giving way to mostly clear skies. Any fog will likely erode by 14z. Ceilings will be variable through at least midday Tuesday, but improve to VFR for much of the area by Tuesday afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are expected again Tuesday afternoon, with the best coverage over the mountains. Therefore, have introduced a period of thunder for BCB/BLF/LWB for a few hours this evening. Winds increase from the west today, a bit gusty across the mountains at times. Possibly gusting to 20kts. Fog possible again overnight, especially for any areas that may see rain today. Forecast confidence is average. Extended Aviation Outlook... Unsettled weather is expected for much of the week. Daily threat of SHRA/TSRA through Friday. This will bring periods of MVFR/IFR ceilings and visibilities at times. Winds through Wednesday will favor a SW direction and may be gusty at times.
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&& .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...BMG NEAR TERM...BMG SHORT TERM...AMS LONG TERM...AMS AVIATION...BMG