Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA
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601 FXUS61 KRNK 011434 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1034 AM EDT Mon Jul 1 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure builds in from the Great Lakes today, bringing less humid air. Dry weather is expected to persist through Tuesday. Temperatures start to heat up again by the 4th of July, along with a chance for storms. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1030 AM EDT Monday... Key Message: 1) Lowering humidity. 2) Pleasantly cool tonight. Morning sounding was dry...PWAT 0.70, down 1.30 from yesterday. This should ensure a mostly sunny sky for the afternoon and clear skies for tonight. Winds this afternoon will come from the north-northeast...gusty attms over the piedmont. High pressure is building into the forecast area from the north providing a significant airmass change. A relief for most from the high dewpoints. Dewpoints are expected to fall at least 20 degrees, with some 40s possible by mid to late afternoon. Temperatures will also come down...a pleasant way to start the first day of July, with mainly sunny skies. Highs will will be close to or about 5 degrees below normal, with mid to upper 70s/80 in the mountains, to lower to mid 80s east. Tonight, a few deeper valley locations like Burkes Garden and Lewisburg, WV could sneak into the 40s, but most will have 50s. May be able give that A/C a rest. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 200 AM EDT Monday... Key Message: 1: Heat ramps up heading towards Independence Day Surface high pressure will move off the Mid Atlantic coast Tuesday into Wednesday. Meanwhile, a subtropical ridge centered over the southern Mississippi Valley will drift eastward along the Gulf States. The subtropical ridge will bring heat and humidity into the region while the surface ridge adds an extra round of moisture (southeast flow) from the Atlantic. Near normal temperatures expected on Tuesday, then above normal on Wednesday. On Wednesday, temperatures should peak in the 80s across the mountains and lower 90s in the foothills and piedmont. With dewpoints in the low to mid 60s along with light winds, heat index values will be around 3F-5F warmer than the actual temperature. No precipitation is excepted Tuesday or Wednesday. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 210 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: 1: Hot and Humid Independence Day 2: Unsettled weather next weekend The subtropical ridge will continue to move east across the Gulf States Thursday (Independence Day). As the center of this ridge moves closer to the area, temperatures and humidity will increase. Afternoon high temperatures for the 4th of July will range from the mid 80s to lower 90s across the mountains and mid to upper 90s in the foothills and piedmont. Dew points will range from the upper 60s to lower 70s, creating heat index values 4F to 8F warmer than the actual temperature. Heating index values in the foothills and piedmont will be in the triple digits for a few hours in the afternoon. A disturbance tracking on the northern edge of this ridge could bring showers and thunderstorms to the area Thursday afternoon and evening. However, models have the track of this disturbance moving across northern Virginia with convection activity mainly north of Highway 460. The subtropical ridge will eventually move off the coast over the weekend. Until this happens, hot and humid conditions will remain in the area. A cold front may approach the area this weekend, but looks to stall and/or wash-out over the piedmont on Sunday. This boundary will help increase the chances for showers and thunderstorms into early next week. && .AVIATION /14Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 1030 AM EDT Monday... Widespread VFR expected this afternoon and evening. Winds will be out of the north or northeast...generally 10 kts or less. A few gusts 15-20kts are possible east of the mountains. Confidence in the above scenario is moderate to high. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Tuesday-Wednesday appear to be VFR as high pressure moves across the area. Storm chances increase by Thursday into Friday ahead of a front so sub-VFR possible. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...PM/WP NEAR TERM...PM/WP SHORT TERM...RCS LONG TERM...RCS AVIATION...PM/WP