Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
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362 FXUS64 KLUB 271923 AFDLUB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lubbock TX 223 PM CDT Thu Jun 27 2024 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Friday) Issued at 220 PM CDT Thu Jun 27 2024 Our period of ridging has almost come to a close, in large part due to an upper level trough that is working its way through the Pacific Northwest right now, which will turn our flow more zonal. For tonight, a very marginal chance of thunderstorms exists, thanks to a modest amount of instability aloft. However, with a distinct lack of lift and very dry lower levels, reaching this instability will be difficult. If a storm were to occur, it would be very high based and lack a meaningful amount of shear, likely attributing to a short life. It appears that some degree of confluence does exist in the northeast corner of the CWA, which could assist with kickstarting any potential storms, but confidence in this confluence being strong enough to reach any CAPE remains low and thus the forecast remains dry. Storms are expected in the eastern region of New Mexico, however, these storms are unlikely to survive all the way to the border. Looking at tomorrow, the ridge will give its last heat blast for the region, as Friday looks to be one of the hottest so far this summer. Most of the day will feature breezy southwesterly winds, contributing to an overall drier day, simultaneously bringing the heat index down while also contributing to a very clear sky condition. The caprock itself can expect temperatures near 100 degrees, while areas off the caprock can expect temperature near or in excess of 105 degrees. A heat advisory may prove to be necessary. && .LONG TERM... (Friday night through next Wednesday) Issued at 220 PM CDT Thu Jun 27 2024 Friday night into Saturday morning, the upper ridge will lift slightly northward and center over northwest Texas. Most of the midlevel moisture will remain to our west across New Mexico. Low level moisture will be present across the forecast area with southerly surface winds and dewpoints in the lower 60s. Daytime heating will give way to temperatures warming into the upper 90s to lower triple digits (just below Heat Advisory criteria). A surface low Saturday morning will slide southeastward into the Texas Panhandle. There still remains some model inconsistencies with the exact location of the low and therefore the position of a stalled weak and shallow cold front. There is a small chance for an isolated shower or storm during the afternoon hours ahead of the frontal boundary. Meanwhile, the best chances for showers and storms will be along the front where weak convergence will help to provide lift. There will be plenty of moisture behind the frontal boundary, but soundings indicate a weak capping inversion to overcome. Overall, instability parameters are supportive of scattered showers and strong to an isolated severe storm. The latest trends from the blend of models have been lower with precipitation chances due to the ridge building over the forecast area and the weak surface front potentially setting up farther north. Thus, these details will need to be monitored as they play a key role in the chances of rain across the area. A few showers may linger Sunday across the far southern Texas Panhandle. Otherwise the forecast becomes dry again Monday before the return of precipitation chances again by mid-week. The ridge will spin overhead Sunday and Monday before finally pushing into the southeast CONUS by midweek, which is the pattern change needed to help bring rain chances back to the forecast area. Wrap around midlevel moisture on the back side of the ridge, coupled with several shortwaves in the flow aloft, will help to give way thunderstorms chances in the afternoon and evening hours on Tuesday through Thursday. In addition to the increased moisture potential, temperatures will be "slightly" cooler but still very warm and above normal in the 90s and approaching the triple digits off the Caprock. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1227 PM CDT Thu Jun 27 2024 VFR expected for the next 24 hours. Breezy, southerly winds are expected for KLBB and KPVW through the evening, with gusts up to 25 kts possible. Winds will diminish after dark. Check density altitude. && .LUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for TXZ026-032-038-044. && $$ SHORT TERM...09 LONG TERM....11 AVIATION...09