Forecast Discussion
Summary
SYNOPSIS
... Hazy skies continue through the morning with some fog developing. Drier again today before a wet end to the weekend. Cold front Sunday night and Monday.
NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 222 AM Saturday...
The region is currently sandwiched between two high pressure systems, one over Central Indiana and another broader bubble over the Appalachians of TN/VA/NC border. There is also an inverted trough feature over the area that is spawning some mid to upper-level cloud cover. Expecting clouds to continue drift over the area throughout the night. Patchy river valley fog looks likely despite the intermittent cloud cover.
Another cool start with Min Ts in the low to mid 50s across the lowlands; 40s and 50s in the mountains. Isolated pockets of frost could be possible along the higher ridges of Pocahontas and Randolph counties. There is a statement out to cover this possibility through this morning.
This afternoon looks to be another fair, yet warmer day, as we are still under the influence of high pressure. Less haze after morning as our winds shift out of the south/southeast, subsequently clearing out any smoke aloft. Afternoon temperatures getting up into the low to mid 80s across the lowlands; 60s and 70s in the mountains.
SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 445 AM Saturday...
For Sunday, southerly flow returns a warmer air mass to the region, bringing afternoon highs above normal. Clouds increase through the day as a warm front pulls north. Models are starting to come into better agreement on shower activity arriving earlier, during the afternoon. Coverage for showers and isolated thunderstorms will be greatest across southeastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky early in the day with scattered showers/isol storms elsewhere.
Gusty southerly flow develops during the afternoon as the warm front pulls north with gusts between 15 to 25 mph...strongest along the mountains. Persistent showers are still not expected until late evening, when a cold front arrives. The bulk of the rain will accumulate late Sunday night through Monday morning as a strong low level jet moves overhead. Showers taper off Monday afternoon, although chances remain in the forecast as the upper level low stalls near the Great Lakes.
LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 208 PM Friday...
The parent low over the Great Lakes will keep temperatures on the cooler side through mid week with continued chances for rain and afternoon thunderstorms. There is high uncertainty in the extended forecast beyond Wednesday as the upper low begins to slowly transit east. Models are struggling with energy oscillating around a large trough over the northeastern states and a ridge building over the plains. Generally, temperatures are expected to be warmer than normal with small chances for afternoon and evening showers and isolated thunderstorms.