Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Mt. Holly, NJ

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599 FXUS61 KPHI 290721 AFDPHI Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 321 AM EDT Wed May 29 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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Surface low pressure system approaches the region today, bringing some showers and thunderstorms with it, before passing offshore late tonight. High pressure then returns and holds strong into the weekend. Next opportunity for showers and storms could be as early as Sunday but the associated low may not arrive until Monday or Tuesday.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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Weak surface low pressure lies over the Ohio Valley, while the base of an H5 trough is just behind it over the Great Lakes. Low pressure will intensify as it and the upper trough track east. The low passes over New Jersey tonight before tracking east and departing by daybreak Thursday. In terms of sensible weather, conditions start out dry this morning. Clouds increase over the area as low pressure approaches from the west. Showers will become likely over the northern half of the forecast area late this afternoon/early this evening, and there is the chance for thunderstorms. SB CAPE values will be up around 500 J/kg and although 0-6 km Bulk Shear values will be 30 to 40 kt over the southern half of the forecast area, those values will be 20 to 30 kt over the northern half of the forecast area, which is where the surface low will track. Not expecting severe weather, but a few lightning strikes, brief downpours and wind gusts to 30 mph or so will be possible. With low pressure near Long Island late tonight, some wrap around showers will continue over northern New Jersey and into portions of the southern Poconos and Lehigh Valley into the late night hours. Highs will be right around normal levels for this time of the year, topping off in the mid to upper 70s. Lows tonight will mainly be in the 50s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
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The only potential for rain during the short term forecast period looks to be right at the start during the daytime hours on Thursday. Lingering surface low pressure to our northeast may continue to throw a few showers or a thunderstorm back towards our region as the axis of the upper-level trough makes its slow march eastward. Coverage looks to be pretty isolated though as continued drying of the atmosphere will drop surface dew points into the upper 40s/low 50s. CAPE values will only be a few hundred joules/kilogram at best as a result. High temperatures on Thursday will be in the low-mid 70s which will make for a very comfortable, if not slightly cool for late May, day. The upper-level trough axis will finally push through the region Thursday night and temperatures will fall into the 50s (upper 40s at higher elevations) with mostly clear skies. Surface high pressure will be entrenching itself as we head into daytime Friday and the northerly flow will make for another relatively cool last day of May. Temperatures look to be very similar to Thursday with highs in the low-mid 70s and lows mainly in the 50s.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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Surface high pressure will continue to be the dominate feature across the region to start the long term forecast period as an amplified upper-level ridge continues to work its way eastward. Model guidance forecast suites do begin to diverge by the end of the weekend with the GFS/ECMWF showing the ridge passing offshore Sunday-Sunday night followed by a weak upper-level trough while the GEM depicts the ridge holding a bit stronger and delaying the arrival of the trough. In terms of sensible weather, conditions should be dry through at least Saturday night. The dry weather looks likely to continue into Sunday and possibly Monday as well if the ridge is able to hold strong enough to suppress the oncoming trough. By Tuesday though, the pattern looks to certainly be more active with high pressure pushed out of the region. Only slight chance PoPs (15-25%) are in the forecast for the most western portions of the region. Slight chance PoPs are spread through more of the region for Sunday night through Monday night and PoPs increase to 20-30% on Tuesday. High temperatures look to be near normal (upper 70s-low 80s) through Monday, and potentially above normal by Tuesday.
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&& .AVIATION /07Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
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The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas... Today...VFR conditions overall. SHRA will become likely this afternoon and into this evening, but confidence is low that sub-VFR conditions will occur in any SHRA at any given time. For now, will mention -SHRA in the TAF, but will keep conditions VFR. A few TSRA possible as well, but confidence is even lower that a given TSRA will pass over a given terminal. For that reason, will not mention TSRA in the TAF. W-NW winds 5-10 kt. Low confidence on timing of potential restrictions. Tonight...Once again, VFR overall, but potential for sub-VFR in any SHRA or even TSRA passing over a given terminal. Will leave out of TAF for now due to low confidence. N-NW winds around 5 kt. Low confidence. Outlook... Thursday...Mainly VFR expected. Sub-VFR conditions possible though with a slight chance (15-25%) for showers or a thunderstorm. Thursday night through Sunday...VFR with no significant weather.
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&& .MARINE...
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Sub-Small Craft Advisory conditions today and tonight. W-NW winds 5 to 10 kt this morning will turn S around 10 kt by this afternoon. As low pressure passes north of the waters late tonight, winds turn NW at 5 o 10 kt by early Thursday morning. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Outlook... Thursday through Sunday...Sub-SCA conditions expected throughout the period. Rip Currents... West to northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph this morning will become south by this afternoon. Breaking waves will average 1 to 2 feet. There is a LOW risk for the development of dangerous rip currents for the New Jersey and Delaware beaches. For Thursday, west to northwest winds 5 to 10 mph will turn north in the afternoon. Breaking waves will once again average 1 to 2 feet. Therefore, there will continue to be a LOW risk for the development of dangerous rip currents for the New Jersey and Delaware beaches. For specific beach forecasts, visit weather.gov/beach/phi As always, rip currents can still develop, and often occur in the vicinities of jetties and piers. Utilize any guarded beaches if venturing out into the water.
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&& .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...AKL NEAR TERM...MPS SHORT TERM...AKL LONG TERM...AKL AVIATION...AKL/MPS MARINE...AKL/MPS