Prognostic Meteorological Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
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107 FXUS21 KWNC 212105 PMDTHR US Hazards Outlook NWS Climate Prediction Center College Park MD 300 PM EST November 21 2024 SYNOPSIS: Multiple models continue to show surface high pressure advancing southeastward from west-central Canada across most of the central and eastern contiguous U.S. (CONUS), which increases the chances for much below normal temperatures for much of the Great Plains. The cold air overrunning the anomalously warm Great Lakes is expected to contribute towards the generation of lake-enhanced snow showers and squalls over the climatologically favored areas downwind of the Lakes. Much of the anomalous cold air is favored to advect eastward later in week-2, bringing increased chances for first freezes across the southern tier of the CONUS. For most of the eastern CONUS, significant uncertainty continues among the model guidance today, especially with respect to the location, timing, and track of individual low pressure systems within the week-2 period. This makes it very difficult to specify details of weather-related hazards. HAZARDS Moderate risk of much below normal temperatures across most of the Northern Plains into parts of Minnesota, Fri-Mon, Nov 29-Dec 2. Slight risk of much below normal temperatures across much of the northern half of the Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley, Fri-Thu, Nov 29-Dec 5. Slight risk of much below normal temperatures and expected first freeze of the season across most of the Southeast and Lower Mississippi Valley, much of the Southern Plains, Tennessee Valley, and southern Ohio Valley, Sun-Thu, Dec 1-5. Slight risk of periods of heavy lake-enhanced snowfall across the climatologically favored snowbelt areas downwind of the Great Lakes, Fri-Mon, Nov 29-Dec 2. Slight risk of episodic high winds for parts of the Lower Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys, Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Northeast , Fri-Sun, Nov 29-Dec 1. Slight risk of episodic high winds across the Northern Plains and western Minnesota, Fri-Mon, Nov 29-Dec 2. DETAILED SUMMARY FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 05: The GEFS and ECENS ensemble means indicate a broad trough stretching across the eastern two-thirds of the CONUS during week-2. There continues to be significant uncertainty among the various deterministic and ensemble mean models regarding the development and expected evolution of low pressure systems and related impactful weather across the central and eastern CONUS during this busy Thanksgiving travel period. A series of high pressure centers and related cold air masses initially over west-central Canada are predicted to advance southeastward across most of the central and eastern CONUS during week-2. There is a slight risk (20-40% chance) of much below normal temperatures posted for most of the northern half of the Great Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley for the duration of week-2. Minimum temperatures may fall below -10 deg F, and below the historical 15th percentile. Wind chill values in this region may reach or exceed -20 deg F. A moderate risk (40-60% chance) of much below normal temperatures is included for most of the Northern Plains and western parts of Minnesota, Nov 29-Dec 2. There is another slight risk area of much below normal temperatures posted for much of the southeastern and south-central states, which have yet to experience their first freeze of the season. The most likely period for the anticipated occurrence of this areas first freeze is from Dec 1-5. Cold air streaming across the unusually warm waters of the Great Lakes is likely to promote lake-enhanced snowfall for the climatological downwind snowbelt areas. A slight risk of heavy snow (locally 6 inches or more) is predicted for these areas from Nov 29-Dec 2. Blowing and drifting snow may drastically reduce visibility within snowbands, posing a serious danger to commuters. Given the large uncertainty among todays deterministic and ensemble mean solutions, no hazardous (non-snow) precipitation areas are posted due to reduced confidence. The uncertainty also makes it extremely difficult to determine potential coverage of rain and snow over the Northeast. A slight risk of high winds (at least 25 mph) is depicted over a large portion of the eastern CONUS from Nov 29-Dec 1, in the wake of a low pressure system that is forecasted to move through this region. The broad extent of this wind area underscores the large differences in model predictions regarding the storms intensity, timing, and exact track. Over the general vicinity of the Northern Plains, there is a slight risk for high winds from Nov 29-Dec 2, as a fairly strong surface high and related pressure gradient, and easterly upslope flow, are expected to be in place during this period. Accumulating snowfall in this area is possible due to the favored cold temperatures and above-normal precipitation that is favored during the period. A series of surface lows are predicted to form over the Gulf of Alaska, which may bring unsettled weather to south-central and southeastern portions of the state. Conditions are not anticipated to support widespread hazards at this time. FORECASTER: Anthony Artusa $$