Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA
Issued by NWS Blacksburg, VA
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953 FXUS61 KRNK 030624 AFDRNK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 224 AM EDT Wed Jul 3 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure remain in control of the region`s weather into mid-week, allowing dry weather to continue today. Temperatures will start to heat up again by the 4th of July as the high starts moving east. The possibility of showers and thunderstorms will return for the latter half of the week, as a storm system moves into our area. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 200 AM EDT Wednesday... Key Messages: 1) Slightly warmer and more humid today. 2) No rain expected. Surface high pressure center will remain anchored off the Mid Atlantic coast today, before beginning to sink south-southeast on Thursday. Aloft, ridging builds in farther as well, before gradually deamplifying by Thursday morning. These two features will support temperatures in the mid to upper 80s across the area. Expect slightly warmer readings in the Piedmont, Southside, and central VA. The increased subsidence, combined with a more southwesterly flow on the back side of the surface high, will result in increased humidity this afternoon, with dew points gradually climbing into the 60s. Overnight, expect increasing cloud cover as a belt of westerlies and PVA sinks south towards the forecast area. No precipitation is forecast until after rush hour Thursday morning. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 200 AM EDT Wednesday... Key Messages: 1: Hot and Humid! 2: Storms likely each afternoon A subtropical ridge will move east over the southeastern states Thursday July 4th, bringing hot and humid conditions to the area. High temperatures Thursday will range from the mid to upper 80s west of the Blue Ridge and low to mid 90s east. These temperatures are around 5F-8F warmer than normal. Heat index values will run in the 97F-103F range east of the Blue Ridge and upper 80s to mid 90s west for a few hours in the afternoon. Friday`s temperatures and heat index values could be similar if not a few degrees warmer. See climate section for record temperatures for July 4th and 5th. A disturbance tracking on the northern rings of this ridge could bring showers and thunderstorms to the area, disrupting Independence Day celebrations and fireworks. The highest probability for storms remains north of Highway 460. A cold front approaches Friday afternoon but is not forecast to move over the area until late Friday night into Saturday. Prefrontal scattered convection is more likely across the mountains Friday afternoon, then east of the Blue Ridge late afternoon into evening. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 210 AM EDT Wednesday... Key Messages: 1. Confidence remains high for above normal temperatures through the period with the warmest day on Saturday. 2. Unsettled weather persists through the long term period with afternoon/evening storms possible each day. The subtropical ridge is expected to move off the southeast coast this weekend, bringing some relief to the excessive heat. A cold front will move across the mountains and stall over the piedmont Saturday. This boundary will be the focus for areawide showers and thunderstorms Saturday, then east of the Blue Ridge Sunday. Typical afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are possible Monday into Wednesday. Hot and humid conditions remain through the weekend. Temperatures cool off a bit Monday and Tuesday, but the humidity will remain elevated. && .AVIATION /06Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 200 AM EDT Wednesday... Despite high pressure in place, an area of mid clouds above 5kft remain over the southern Blue Ridge and parts of the western mountains, associated with a weak wave aloft. Expect occasional clouds between 5-7 kft at times today, along with passing cirrus. Light and variable winds will become S/SW by this afternoon as surface high pressure off the Atlantic coast sinks south. Speeds should mainly be AOB 10 kts. OUTLOOK WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY... Independence Day: Odds of SHRA/TSRA increase from the NW by early afternoon as energy aloft sinks south. Flight category reductions of MVFR or lower will be possible, initially at BLF/LWB followed by BCB, ROA, LYH, and DAN. Friday-Sunday: SCTD SHRA/TSRA remain possible as a storm system continues impacting the region. Flight category reductions remain possible. && .CLIMATE... As of 200 AM EDT Wednesday... Record highs and warmest lows temperatures for July 4th and 5th. Thursday 07/04/2024 Site MaxT Year HiMin Year KBLF 92 1957 68 2018 KDAN 99 1925 74 1999 KLYH 98 1966 76 1902 KROA 99 1999 74 2018 KRNK 94 1966 71 1941 Friday 07/05/2024 Site MaxT Year HiMin Year KBLF 93 1948 71 1969 KDAN 103 1919 76 1926 KLYH 98 2012 75 1900 KROA 100 1999 76 2012 KRNK 94 1930 78 1949 && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...DB NEAR TERM...SH SHORT TERM...RCS LONG TERM...RCS AVIATION...DB/SH CLIMATE...RCS