Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Graphics & Text |  Print | Product List |  Glossary Off
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
-- Remove Highlighting --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
174 FXUS61 KRNK 191758 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 158 PM EDT Sun May 19 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
-- Changed Discussion --
A few showers and possibly an isolated thunderstorms this afternoon for the mountains, otherwise cool high pressure will build in from the east. High pressure will keep our area mostly dry Monday through Wednesday. A frontal system approaches late in the week to bring the next chance for rain. Temperatures will warm through the week.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 130 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: 1) Drier today, but still a slight chance for mountain showers. 2) Sunny and dry tomorrow. Still under the influence of high pressure wedging cool moist air east of the mountains. As such, still widespread cloudiness across the Piedmont areas of Virginia and North Carolina with a persistent ENE wind. West of the Blue Ridge has seen decent clearing late this morning and especially this afternoon so far. Weak convergence across the West Virginia mountains may allow for a few showers and possibly an isolated thunderstorm to develop through early evening. A sliver of instability runs through the western portions of the CWA as well, so best corridor of any precipitation today will be from the NW NC mountains into southeast West Virginia. Any activity the develops will diminish with loss of heating late this evening. Dry with clearer skies tomorrow as ridging begins to build overhead and the area loses the influence of northeast flow. Afternoon temperatures are expected to be in the 70s.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 130 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: 1. Dry weather for most through the period. 2. Temperatures warming to above normal. The beginning of the work week will feature 500mb ridging over the southeastern US, and surface high pressure over the Mid Atlantic, which will keep the weather dry for most of the area through at least Wednesday. A weak upper shortwave crossing the area may generate some showers and possible storms in the mountains on Tuesday afternoon and evening, but coverage will be isolated to scattered. By Tuesday, an upper trough develops over the Rockies, and a surface low will track northeastward through the central US and into the upper Midwest by the midweek. Southwesterly flow ahead of the front will bring warmer and more moist air into the region, thus Wednesday looks to be the warmest day of the short term forecast period, as high temperatures reach the mid to upper 80s areawide.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 130 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: 1. Showers and storms possible Thursday and Friday. 2. Temperatures near to above normal. A surface low will move into southeastern Canada by the second half of the work week. A trailing cold front will extend from this low across the country, and track eastward, approaching the Mid Atlantic by Thursday. Shower and thunderstorm chances will increase as the front approaches and then crosses the area through Thursday. The front remains to the south across the Carolinas through Friday, although some long range deterministic models differ on where the front will stall. Another piece of shortwave energy aloft moves along the front will spark some showers and thunderstorms as it reaches the area late Friday into Saturday. High pressure builds back in over the region behind the front, bringing an end to the precipitation, keeping Sunday mostly dry. Clouds and rain will keep temperatures a few degrees cooler on Thursday and Friday, but gradually warming again over the weekend.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
As of 145 PM EDT Sunday... Widespread MVFR clouds remain for areas east of the Blue Ridge Mountains due to cool northeast flow continuing. Some MVFR over the western mountains as well. Should gradually improve through the evening hours and overall prevailing VFR can be expected by tomorrow as skies become clearer. However, some low chance of some lingering MVFR cloudiness into Central Virginia. A few mountain showers over West Virginia are possible through early evening, particularly LWB/BLF having the highest chance. Any of this activity will diminish after sunset. Some fog development is possible overnight and could result in several hours of IFR/LIFR at multiple terminals. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... A better opportunity for VFR is expected Tuesday into Wednesday. Thursday expect a chance for showers and thunderstorms as a front nears.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...BMG NEAR TERM...BMG SHORT TERM...AS LONG TERM...AS AVIATION...BMG