Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV
Issued by NWS Charleston, WV
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075 FXUS61 KRLX 040914 AFDRLX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 514 AM EDT Mon May 4 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... No significant changes to previous forecast thinking. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Isolated showers and storms today, with a better chance for rain expected mid week with the approach of a front and several waves of low pressure. 2) Cooler and drier for Friday, with an additional disturbance expected Friday night into Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... A shortwave and strengthening LLJ will affect the area, before diminishing later this morning. Relatively dry air observed in lower levels on area soundings and surface observations, indicates precipitation should overall be very light and spotty in nature, with many areas just experiencing an increase in cloud cover, or sprinkles at best. As we progress throughout the day today, southwesterly flow will be on the increase, with increasing warmth, moisture and instability expected. This will result in the possibility for isolated showers and storms, particularly this afternoon and evening during peak heating. Severe is not anticipated, and any convection should generally die off shortly after sunset. Temperatures will warm a few more degrees on Tuesday, as southwesterly winds continue to strengthen across the area out ahead of an approaching cold front. Anomalously high moisture content air will surge into the region by Tuesday night into Wednesday, with PW values progged to top out at at least 1.3 inches. Frontal boundary will move into the area Tuesday night through Wednesday night, with a low moving along the front through the area. Moderate to heavy rain can be expected during this period, with most areas generally expected to get at least half an inch to three quarters of an inch through Wednesday night. This will be followed by a secondary wave on Thursday, with an additional quarter to three quarters of an inch expected, mainly east of the Ohio River. However, there is greater uncertainty during this time period of how much rain will affect the area, and will depend on how far south and east the aforementioned front is able to make it out of our area. At this point WPC has parts of the area outlined in a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. Thinking overall impacts should be somewhat limited, due to antecedent dry conditions, and greening of vegetation across the majority of the area. KEY MESSAGE 2... The secondary low will gradually exit off to the east later in the day Thursday, with a brief period of drier conditions, and clearing taking hold for early Friday as high pressure nudges in from the west. Although it will be much cooler, a widespread frost/freeze is not anticipated at this time, but also can`t be completely ruled out. Will depend on clearing and how quickly winds can slacken across the area. An additional disturbance will affect the area later Friday into Saturday, with additional showers. && .AVIATION /09Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Mainly VFR conditions expected for the period. However, scattered showers and storms have formed just to the west of the area, and may affect western terminals through 16Z, including sites KHTS, with a brief MVFR restriction possible. Otherwise, southwesterly winds, with occasional gusts in the teens to lower 20 kts, particularly after 12Z. Isolated showers and storms will refire this afternoon and evening after morning convection across the west, mainly after 18Z, and mainly across the north and east including sites KPKB, KCKB and KEKN, with brief/local MVFR conditions possible, with convection dissipating shortly after 00Z. Coverage and confidence in convection is low, but did include VCTS in TAF`s most likely to experience convection at this time. Overnight Monday night, expect LLWS to develop across the region, and have coded into the TAF. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Coverage of showers and storms this morning across the west, and this afternoon and evening across the northeast may be greater than currently anticipated. EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION: H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS. L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. UTC 1HRLY 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 EDT 1HRLY 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CRW CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H M H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H M H H H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H AFTER 06Z TUESDAY... IFR possible in heavier rain/storms late Tuesday into Thursday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...SL AVIATION...SL