978
FXUS64 KLCH 181124
AFDLCH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
624 AM CDT Fri Oct 18 2024

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Sunday night)
Issued at 348 AM CDT Fri Oct 18 2024

A dry and mild pattern is anticipated through the short and long
term periods.

High pressure is centered over New England and the mid-Atlantic
this morning with the ridge extending to the northern gulf coast.
Low pressure is along the lee of the Central Rockies ahead of
upper disturbance. A ridge aloft is over the northern gulf coast
and across the Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes.

The pattern will only slightly shift east during the short term.
The surface ridge will slide south into Sunday with the upper
ridge flattening somewhat while remaining over the northern gulf
coast. The pressure gradient between the east coast high and the
weakening high plains low will keep light to moderate east winds
in place through Sunday. Temperatures will also slowly moderate
through the weekend. Over the gulf waters winds will be higher
and this will cause tides to run around a foot above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Friday)
Issued at 348 AM CDT Fri Oct 18 2024

No big shift for the local weather pattern is anticipated through
mid week. A ridge at the surface and aloft will remain over the
northern gulf coast.

Late in the week and upper trough will sweep east across the Great
Lakes region with high pressure dropping southeast from Canada
and across the plains. The associated cold front will undercut the
upper ridge potentially moving into N TX or N LA. The boundary
may sink to the gulf coast by Thursday, however the main push of
cooler air will mostly be east across the northern states. The
upper ridge will remain in place and no precip is expected even if
the front passes through the area.

&&

.AVIATION...

Pilots flying in and out of the southeast Texas and south
Louisiana airports can expect fair weather VFR conditions over the
next 24 hours and beyond.

We could experience some scattered clouds today, however, chances
favor mostly clear skies with an easterly surface breeze.

An extended period of fair weather is on tap for much of the
region as upper level ridging builds over the nations mid-section.

Safe Travels.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 348 AM CDT Fri Oct 18 2024

A tightening pressure gradient is anticipated today. Winds will
increase to around 20kts or higher this afternoon and remain
elevated through much of the weekend. Winds will decrease next
week as high pressure moves to the gulf coast.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  75  46  79  48 /   0   0   0   0
LCH  77  55  81  56 /   0   0   0   0
LFT  78  55  82  56 /   0   0   0   0
BPT  79  58  82  58 /   0   0   0   0

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
TX...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT
     Saturday for GMZ450-452-455-470-472-475.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...05
LONG TERM....05
AVIATION...29