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Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Melbourne, FL
Issued by NWS Melbourne, FL
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766 FXUS62 KMLB 200000 AFDMLB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Melbourne FL 800 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2024 ...New AVIATION... .AVIATION... (00Z TAFs) Issued at 751 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2024 VFR conditions outside of convection. Line of +TSRA over KLEE will push north over the next couple hours with TS diminishing by around 02Z, but -RA could linger through 05Z and might even creep back east towards the I-4 terminals as well. VFR conditions prevail overnight and through Saturday afternoon, then rinse and repeat with afternoon thunderstorms. ISO TSRA/SHRA forecast to start developing near and along the ECSB INVOF the coastal terminals around 17Z-18Z then push inland. TSRA/SHRA becomes SCT- NUM as activity approaches the inland terminals around 20Z, with TEMPOs likely needed in upcoming packages. Generally light SE winds give way to the sea breeze and outflow from storms. && .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... Issued at 235 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2024 KEY MESSAGES: - Hot temperatures and intense humidity persist through the weekend. Expect high temps in the low/mid 90s and heat indices from 103 to 109F. Remain hydrated and take breaks in the shade or A/C. Know the symptoms of heat illness! - Scattered to numerous storms (50-80%) on Saturday, with the highest coverage near Greater Orlando and I-4. Locally heavy rain may lead to minor flooding in urban areas. - Patchy Saharan dust will pass over the area on Sunday, causing hazy conditions and slightly lower storm chances. A disturbance will increase the chance of storms again early next week. ---------Synoptic Overview---------- Florida resides on the western edge of a sprawling mid-level ridge over the Atlantic. A trough across the Mississippi Valley will tend to retrograde through the next few days as the ridge migrates westward. This ridge will be the dominant influence on our weather over the next week, keeping the near-surface high pressure axis near or north of East Central Florida and maintaining S or SE winds in the boundary layer. Total moisture values (PWATs) remain near to just above normal through tomorrow, before slightly drier air moves across the peninsula on Sunday. A weakening tropical wave beneath the ridge will then draw deeper moisture across the state early next week. H85 temperatures will remain near +19 to +20C over the next week, yielding near to at times above normal temperatures depending on cloud and storm coverage. -----Sensible Weather & Impacts----- Through Tonight... Scattered to numerous coverage of lightning storms (50-70%) is forecast through early evening, initially near and west of I-95 before progressing across the interior / Greater Orlando area before diminishing after sunset. With deeper moisture, locally heavy rain could lead to minor flooding of urbanized and poorly drained locations. A few gusts to 40-45 mph and frequent lightning can also be anticipated from the stronger storms that form. In all, not too unusual of a scenario for mid-July. Heat index readings up to 107F will occur through mid-afternoon. Later tonight, most of the area will be dry and warm with lows in the mid/upper 70s. This Weekend... Deeper moisture holds sway on Saturday, leading to another round of scattered/numerous (50-80%) storms in the afternoon and early evening. Potential hazards look similar to today`s activity. We have highlighted the I-4 corridor with higher storm concentration (>70% coverage) based on the 19/12Z HREF. This general area, including Orlando/Sanford/Kissimmee, runs a 20-30% risk of localized 3"+ rainfall totals in a 60-90 minute period which could lead to minor flooding. On Sunday, modified SAL (Saharan Air Layer) is indicated by the guidance to move over the peninsula. A tell-tale sign of this will be a dusty, white haze in the sky. However, it should also be accompanied by slightly drier air aloft. So, while scattered summertime storms are forecast on both days, the higher coverage will likely be on Saturday. It`ll remain hot out there, to be sure. Low/mid 90s remain in the forecast, with peak heat index values from 103-107F widespread (a few spots up to 109F or so). Whether the spatial extent of these high-end values is enough to trigger a Heat Advisory (heat index >= 108F) is a close call and will be monitored. Either way, take care of yourself in the heat by staying hydrated and seeking shade and A/C before you get too hot. Visit weather.gov/safety/heat for more heat safety information. Monday - Thursday... (Previous Discussion) The ridge axis remains near to north of the area with a wave of deeper tropical moisture pushing northwest into the region early next week. PW values once again rise to 2+ inches Monday and Tuesday, which should lead to higher coverage of afternoon/evening showers and storms, and rain chances therefore increase to 60-70 percent. This deeper moisture then looks to shift out of the area by mid-week, with a slight strengthening of southeast winds on Wednesday and Thursday. This should begin to focus the greatest coverage of afternoon showers and storms across the interior. Have PoPs falling to 50 percent along the coast and 60 percent inland on Wednesday and Thursday. Highs will continue in the low to mid 90s, but an increase in clouds/rainfall and then drier air/earlier development of the sea breeze should keep peak heat index values just below Heat Advisory criteria. && .MARINE... Issued at 235 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2024 Generally good boating conditions will continue through at least early next week as the weather pattern remains stagnant. A high pressure ridge axis will remain near or just north of the local Atlantic, promoting 5-12 KT S/SE winds that will enhance to 10-15 KT along the coast and become ESE in the afternoon hours. Isolated to scattered showers and a few storms are still forecast primarily in the overnight and morning hours. Seas 2-3 FT, occasionally up to 4 FT well offshore. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DAB 76 93 76 93 / 20 70 40 50 MCO 77 95 77 95 / 30 80 30 60 MLB 77 91 77 91 / 10 60 20 50 VRB 77 92 76 93 / 20 50 10 40 LEE 77 94 77 95 / 50 80 50 60 SFB 77 95 77 95 / 30 80 40 60 ORL 77 95 77 95 / 30 80 30 60 FPR 76 92 76 92 / 20 50 10 40 && .MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. AM...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Heil AVIATION...Haley