Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA

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000 FXUS61 KRNK 221801 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 201 PM EDT Mon Apr 22 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Cool high pressure will build into the region through tonight. Temperatures will start to moderate heading into the middle of the week with the approach of a cold front. This front is expected to cross our region on Wednesday with scattered showers mainly across the mountains.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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As of 130 PM EDT Monday... Dry weather continues today with highs in the 50s and low 60s. Winds shift to the northwest through the remainder of the afternoon as an upper trough shifts east into the Atlantic. Clear tonight with the high shifting overhead. Could see a few high clouds across the Alleghanys by dawn. Lows will be in the 30s. Some frost will be possible across the mountains as well as portions of the Piedmont where the growing season has begun. A Frost Advisory will be issued to cover the potential for frost in the Piedmont area. Sunny again tomorrow with warming temperatures into the 60s and 70s under southwest winds.
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&& .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 305 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: 1) Confidence is high for dry weather on Tuesday and on Thursday. 2) A chance of showers exists in the mountains for Tuesday night into Wednesday. High pressure across the Mid Atlantic should keep conditions dry on Tuesday, but it will head offshore by Tuesday evening as a cold front approaches from the northwest. However, the area of low pressure associated with this cold front will stay well to the north in eastern Canada. The frontal boundary will also not be able to tap into any Gulf or Atlantic moisture. Therefore, just a chance of showers exists in the mountains for Tuesday night into Wednesday, while the wind shifts towards the west to aid in downsloping east of the Blue Ridge and to limit any moisture in the Piedmont. As the cold front exits off the East Coast by Wednesday night, high pressure will build southeastward from the Great Lakes. The wind should diminish enough to allow good radiational cooling and send temperatures down into the 30s and 40s. The 2024 growing season will begin on April 25 in the mountains, which will be on Thursday in this forecast period. As a result, some patchy frost has been inserted into the forecast for western Greenbrier County of West Virginia where temperatures fall close to the freezing mark. Dry weather will persist through Thursday, but high temperatures should only reach the 50s and 60s, which will be roughly ten degrees lower compared to Tuesday and Wednesday. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 305 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: 1) Confidence is high for a warming trend during the weekend. 2) Chances of showers and thunderstorms will gradually increase. High pressure will wedge against the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge on Friday, and an easterly flow should keep temperatures near or slightly below normal. A warm front will nudge northward around the western periphery of the wedge during Friday afternoon into Saturday, which could bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms for the mountains. As high pressure drifts offshore by Sunday, the wedge will weaken as the flow swings to the southwest. Increasing warm air advection and an approaching upper level ridge will push high temperatures above normal on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, a low pressure system intensifying in the Plains could combine with the increasing warmth and moisture to promote higher chances of showers and thunderstorms west of the Blue Ridge as the weekend concludes. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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As of 125 PM EDT Monday... VFR conditions are expected across the entire area for the valid 24 hour TAF period. Generally light north/northwest winds today, a few occasional gusts near 20kts for LYH/DAN. Calm winds overnight. Southwest winds expected for Tueday. Extended Aviation Outlook... Another cold front will arrive during Tuesday night into Wednesday to bring the next potential for MVFR ceilings and rain showers in the mountains. Thursday looks dry and supporting of VFR. A warm front approaches Friday although VFR conditions remain, but could start to see sub-VFR toward LWB/BLF late Friday into Friday night.
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&& .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...BMG NEAR TERM...BMG SHORT TERM...PW LONG TERM...PW AVIATION...BMG

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