Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 25, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Thu Apr 25 2024
Valid 12Z Thu Apr 25 2024 – 12Z Sat Apr 27 2024

…Unsettled weather and severe thunderstorm chances will continue to
expand across much of the central United States over the next several
days…

…Increasing risk of flash flooding across parts of central and eastern
Oklahoma Saturday night…

…Active fire weather pattern to emerge over the southern High Plains
today…

An increasingly active weather pattern is beginning to unfold across the
mid-section of the Nation as an upper-level trough from the subtropical
eastern Pacific nears Baja California and the Southwest. This trough is
expected to interact with warm and moist air returning from the Gulf of
Mexico and produce an expanding area of showers and thunderstorms
gradually lifting north of a warm front. The initial stages of
rain/thunderstorm formation are setting up across the central Plains early
this morning. A greater severe weather threat is expected to expand across
the central Plains this afternoon as a surface cyclone rapidly deepens in
eastern Colorado in response to the approaching upper level trough. The
aforementioned warm front is expected to continue lifting northward while
a High Plains dryline pushes east. This environment is anticipated to
produce numerous thunderstorms across the central and southern Plains,
with scattered storms turning severe. The Storm Prediction Center has
issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather across parts of
western Kansas and Oklahoma into the eastern Texas Panhandle and northwest
Texas. Very large hail, severe wind gusts, and a couple strong tornadoes
will all be possible. Multiple rounds of heavy rain could also lead to
scattered flash flooding, which has prompted a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of
Excessive Rainfall across parts of northeast Oklahoma, eastern Kansas,
southwest Missouri, and northwest Arkansas. By Friday, the low pressure
system is forecast to deepen and slide northeast across the central Plains
before eventually reaching the upper Midwest on Saturday morning. This
will spread shower and thunderstorm chances eastward into the upper
Midwest, mid- and lower Mississippi Valley, as well as the southern
Plains. The greatest severe weather threat to end the week is forecast
across parts of the central Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley, where an
Enhanced Risk of severe weather includes parts of southwest Iowa,
southeast Nebraska, northeast Kansas, and northwest Missouri. This severe
weather threat includes the possibility of a few tornadoes, large to very
large hail, and damaging winds. Isolated to scattered instances of flash
flooding are also possible across much of the Mississippi Valley into the
southern Plains on Friday.

No breaks from Mother Nature to start the weekend as another round of
severe weather and possibly a dangerous flash flood threat impacts parts
of the central/southern Plains. After the initial system progresses into
the Upper Great Lakes, a lingering frontal boundary is expected to stretch
into the central Plains on Saturday, along with a southern High Plains
dryline. Meanwhile, the western U.S. trough is anticipated to reload due
to an approaching shortwave from the northeast Pacific. This setup is
forecast to produce another round of strong to severe storms Saturday
evening, with several thunderstorms expected to move slowly over parts of
central and eastern Oklahoma. This creates a situation likely to lead to
numerous instances of flash flooding and is highlighted by a Moderate Risk
(level 3/4) for Excessive Rainfall, with a Slight Risk spanning from
north-central Texas to southern Iowa. Residents and visitors across the
central U.S. over the next several days are urged to remain weather aware,
have multiple ways to receive warnings, and never drive across flooded
roads.

Behind the dryline across the southern High Plains, the combination of
very low relative humidity and gusty winds are expected to raise fire
danger to critical level through this weekend. Any fires that develop will
likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Additionally,
gusty winds up to 60 mph could lead to areas of blowing dust.

Elsewhere, unsettled weather is expected to persist over the West, Great
Basin, and Rockies over the next few days with the passage of the upper
trough. Precipiation is expected to remain mostly light, with embedded
downpours and high-elevation heavy snow by Friday across the Rockies. The
Northwest should be the wettest region across the West as a Pacific low
pressure system moves onshore. The Coastal Ranges as well as the Cascades
could receive a couple of inches of rainfall with heavy wet snow possible
across the higher elevations. This active weather will also accompany a
cooling trend throughout the West in contrast to the recent spring warmth
across the region. Chilly weather is also forecast across the Northeast
and Mid-Atlantic through the end of the week as high pressure builds
southward from Canada. Low temperatures could dip below freezing on this
morning and have prompted Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories to be
issued from the Midwest to southern New England. Most of the above average
warmth will be found throughout the Plains outside of areas experiencing
prolonged periods of rainfall, with highs into the 80s remaining across
the Southern Tier States into Friday. Above average warmth will also begin
to spread eastward into the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley by
Saturday with highs into the upper 70s and low 80s.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

North Central Drought from an Agriculture Perspective – Posted April 24, 2024

Of course, they will worry about drought in the North Central area because drought at the beginning of a growing season can be problematic. The beginning of the growing season is a very critical time. It seems that they do not have to worry about a late start this year. But an early start has its own problems. Weather can be fickle.

Although this webinar focuses on the North Central states, many of the maps cover the entire 48 states in CONUS so there is something for everyone in this report. I did not comment on every slide as there were a lot of them. But where I commented, my comment is in a box. If you watch the full webinar (I provided the link) you get their commentary and the Q&A which was good.

You can see the large number of much above-average temperature states. Many of these were in the North Central area.

The North Central had average to slightly above normal precipitation.  It was very wet in the Northeast.

Jan to March shows a similar situation but more states were above average or much above average.

This shows the El Nino pattern but not dramatically wet except in the Northeast.

Many readers will need to click on “Read More” to access the remainder of the report which is very interesting.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 24, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
348 AM EDT Wed Apr 24 2024

Valid 12Z Wed Apr 24 2024 – 12Z Fri Apr 26 2024

…Unsettled weather and severe thunderstorm chances gradually expand
across much of the central United States over the next several days…

…Active fire weather pattern to become situated over the southern High
Plains…

…Above average temperatures shift from the Great Basin to the Plains,
while the West and East remain cool through the end of the week…

The benign weather pattern experienced throughout much of the Nation over
the last few days is expected to conclude as developing upper troughing
over the western U.S. helps create a ripe spring severe weather setup over
parts of the central and southern Plains. This trough is expected to enter
the Southwest by early Thursday and swing into the central Plains by
Friday. At the surface, returning moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will
begin to lift northward today and pool along a gradually lifting warm
front draped across the southern Plains. Combined with a southern High
Plains dryline, a few developing thunderstorms could turn severe today
from West Texas to central Oklahoma, as well as the chances for isolated
flash flooding. A greater severe weather threat exists beginning on
Thursday as a surface cyclone rapidly deepens over the central High Plains
in response to the approaching upper level trough. The aforementioned warm
front is expected to continue lifting northward while the High Plains
dryline pushes east. This environment is anticipated to produce numerous
thunderstorms across the central and southern Plains, with scattered
storms turning severe. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced
Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather across parts of
southwest/south-central Kansas and western Oklahoma into the eastern Texas
Panhandle. Very large hail, severe wind gusts, and a couple strong
tornadoes will all be possible. Multiple rounds of heavy rain could also
lead to scattered flash flooding, which has prompted a Slight Risk (level
2/4) of Excessive Rainfall across parts of northeast Oklahoma, eastern
Kansas, western Missouri, and northwest Arkansas. By Friday, the
aforementioned low pressure system is forecast to deepen and slide east
into the central Plains while shower and thunderstorm chances also push
eastward into the Upper Midwest, Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley, and
southern Plains.

Behind the dryline across the southern High Plains, the combination of
very low relative humidity and gusty winds are expected to create Critical
Fire Weather on Thursday and Friday. Any fires that develop will likely
spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Additionally, gusty
winds up to 55 mph could lead to areas of blowing dust.

Precipitation chances will also exist elsewhere across the Nation. A cold
front crossing the Northeast today will spread showers over the region,
with snow showers possible across northern New England. Unsettled weather
is expected to develop over the West, Great Basin, and Rockies as well
over the next few days underneath the deepening upper trough. Most
precipiation is expected to remain mostly light, with embedded downpours
and high elevation heavy snow by Friday across the Rockies. This active
weather will also lead to a cooling trend throughout the West compared to
the spring warmth felt over the last few days. Chilly weather is also
forecast across the Northeast through the end of the week as high pressure
builds southward from Canada. Low temperatures could dip below freezing on
Thursday morning and have prompted Freeze Watches to be issued from the
Lower Great Lakes to southern New England. Most of the above average
warmth will be found throughout the Plains, besides of any areas
experiencing prolonged periods of rainfall, with highs into the 80s
remaining across the Southern Tier States until Friday.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 22, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Mon Apr 22 2024
Valid 12Z Mon Apr 22 2024 – 12Z Wed Apr 24 2024

…Shower and thunderstorm chances stretch from the Upper Midwest and
Great Lakes to the Southern Plains over the next few days…

…Chilly and frosty start to Earth Day throughout the Ohio Valley and
Mid-Atlantic, while well above average temperatures remain in place across
much of the Southwest/Great Basin…

Precipitation chances are expected to remain mostly scattered and light
throughout much of the Nation into midweek as atmospheric moisture content
remains sparse following the passage of a strong cold front into the Gulf
of Mexico and western Atlantic. A few thunderstorms are possible across
the central and southern Florida Peninsula today as the aforementioned
cold front makes it’s final exit. A few storms could turn severe and
produce damaging wind gusts and hail. Thus, the Storm Prediction Center
has issued a Marginal Risk (level 1/5) for severe weather across southeast
Florida. Otherwise, rain chances are forecast to progress eastward from
the northern Plains to the Upper Midwest today along a swiftly moving
Pacific cold front. By Tuesday, rain chances are anticipated to stretch
from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley to the Southern Plains. The heaviest
rain associated with this system is possible across parts of
central/eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas on Wednesday, but this
aspect of the forecast remains somewhat uncertain.

Temperatures are expected to start off in the 30s throughout much of the
Midwest, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast as strong
high pressure leads to clear skies and cold temperatures at ground-level.
Lows into the low 30s are likely to lead to frost/freeze conditions and
has prompted Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings for much of the region
where the growing season has already begun. Warmer weather is forecast to
begin spreading eastward on Tuesday, but will be short-lived as the next
shot of cold air enters the Great Lakes Tuesday night. Warmer weather is
anticipated to remain throughout the Southwest, Great Basin, and parts of
the Southern Plains through midweek. Highs can be expected to reach into
the 70s and 80s, with 90s and low 100s in the typical warm spots
throughout the Desert Southwest.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 21, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sun Apr 21 2024
Valid 12Z Sun Apr 21 2024 – 12Z Tue Apr 23 2024

…Lingering showers and storms expected across the Southeast today and
Florida through Monday…

…Above average temperatures forecast throughout the Southwest, with
below average readings for most locations east of the Rockies…

Strong high pressure over the central U.S. today is set to slide eastward
by early this week and will allow for mostly tranquil weather conditions
across the Nation. A lingering frontal boundary along the Southeast will
produce additional scattered showers and thunderstorms through tonight
across the Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Florida. Rainfall amounts are
expected to remain mostly light as the activity quickly races to the east,
with rainfall chances on Monday confined to the Florida Peninsula. As the
aforementioned frontal boundary crosses central Florida to start the new
workweek, a few storms could strengthen enough to contain damaging wind
gusts and hail. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Marginal Risk
(level 1/5) for severe weather across parts of the central and southern
Florida Peninsula in order to highlight this potential.

Outside of a few rain and snow showers across New England associated with
an approaching cold front on Sunday night, the only other areas with
notable precipitation will be linked to a low pressure system and attached
cold front stretching from the Upper Great Lakes to the central Plains
Monday night. Rainfall amounts are expected to remain meager and mostly
under a half inch through Tuesday as the system swings into Midwest and
Ohio Valley.

Temperatures across the country will remain split today, with warmth in
the Southwest and cooler than average highs across the central and eastern
United States. As high pressure weakens and slides east, a gradual warm up
can be expected east of the Rockies. The greatest turnaround is
anticipated over the southern Plains, where highs in the 60s today could
be replaced by 80s on Tuesday. Meanwhile, lows into the 20s and 30s this
morning are likely to lead to frost/freeze concerns throughout the Midwest
and parts of the Ohio Valley. Chilly morning temperatures are also
expected to linger on Monday, before cool weather erodes to the Northeast
on Tuesday with portions the Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast
waking up to frosty temperatures in the 30s.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 20, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
Sat Apr 20 2024
Valid 12Z Sat Apr 20 2024 – 12Z Mon Apr 22 2024

…Heavy rain and scattered instances of flash flooding possible across
the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley today…

…Light snow continues across parts of the central Rockies and central
High Plains…

…Below average temperatures for much of the Nation east of the Rockies
this weekend before spring warmth returns to the Plains on Monday…

A lingering quasi-stationary front draped across the Southeast, Gulf Coast
States, and southern Plains will be the focus for numerous showers and
thunderstorms this weekend. The greatest impacts associated with this
system are expected to occur today as heavy rain could lead to scattered
flash flooding issues from Texas to Mississippi. Multiple rounds of
potentially intense rainfall developing over saturated terrain has
prompted a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of Excessive Rainfall through tonight.
This area includes much of central and eastern Texas, northern Louisiana,
southern Arkansas, and central Mississippi. A few isolated storms could
also contain damaging wind gusts and hail throughout central/southern
Texas and the Southeast. The greatest coverage of showers and
thunderstorms are expected to progress eastward tonight and eventually
confine to the central Gulf Coast and Southeast on Sunday, with lessening
chances for flash flooding and severe thunderstorms.

Light precipitation chances are also forecast to continue across other
parts of the Nation through Monday. Light snow will linger throughout
parts of Colorado today, where a few additional inches of accumulating
snowfall are expected along the Front Range. Winter Weather Advisories
remain in effect. Meanwhile, an exiting cold front today followed by a
stronger cold front on Sunday night will lead to rain and snow showers
traversing New England. Lastly, the next frontal system to impact the
Pacific Northwest will rapidly spread showers throughout the region
tonight before swiftly pushing rain chances into the northern Plains and
Upper Midwest on Monday.

Temperatures are anticipated to remain below average for much of the
country behind the cold front extending from the Southeast to the southern
Plains. This leaves the West, Southwest, and Southeast as the warm spots
this weekend with highs into the 70s and 80s. As temperatures moderate on
Monday and return flow enters the central U.S., below normal temperatures
are expected to erode as highs into the 70s surge into the central Plains,
with cooler weather remaining across the Northeast. Additionally, lows
into the 30s over the next few mornings could lead to frost/freeze
concerns for locations already in the growing season from the Midwest to
the upper Ohio Valley.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

NOAA Updates its Seasonal Outlook on April 18, 2024 – La Nina is Coming: Published April 19, 2024

On the third Thursday of the month right on schedule NOAA issued their updated Seasonal Outlook which I describe as their Four-Season Outlook because it extends a bit more than one year into the future. The information released also included the Mid-Month Outlook for the following month plus the weather and drought outlook for the next three months.  I present the information issued by NOAA and try to add context to it. It is quite a challenge for NOAA to address the subsequent month, the subsequent three-month period as well as the twelve successive three-month periods for a year or a bit more.

With respect to the long-term part of the Outlook which I call the Four-Season Outlook, there is a rapid transition from El Nino to ENSO Neutral to LaNina. So getting the timing right is challenging. La Nina is now the likely scenario for this summer almost to the end of the forecast period. The Outlook beyond May has not been significantly changed from what was issued last month. This suggests increasing confidence in the outlook.  I may write another article on the implications of this forecast for agriculture and perhaps energy usage.

First, Let’s Take a Look at the (mid-month) Outlook for May

It will be updated on the last day of April.

The top row is what is now called the Mid-Month Outlook for next month which will be updated at the end of this month. There is a temperature map and a precipitation map. The second row is a three-month outlook that includes next month.  I think the outlook maps are self-explanatory. What is important to remember is that they show deviations from the current definition of normal which is the period 1991 through 2020.  So this is not a forecast of the absolute value of temperature or precipitation but the change from what is defined as normal or to use the technical term “climatology”.

Notice that the Outlook for next month and the three-month Outlook are somewhat different, especially with regard to temperature.  This tells us that June and July will be different than May to some extent.

The full NOAA Seasonal Outlook extends through May/June/July of 2025 (yes that is more than a year out). All of these maps are in the body of the article. Large maps are provided for May and the three-month period May/June/July.  Small maps are provided beyond that through May/June/July of 2025 with a link to get larger versions of these maps.

NOAA provides an excellent discussion to support the maps. It is included in the body of this article. In some cases, one will need to click on “read more” to read the full article.  For those on my email list where I have sent the url of the article, that will not be necessary.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 19, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Fri Apr 19 2024
Valid 12Z Fri Apr 19 2024 – 12Z Sun Apr 21 2024

…Scattered showers and thunderstorms push into the central/southern
Appalachians and Southeast today…

…Wet snow and wintry mix over the central High Plains on Saturday as
heavy rain threat develops over parts of Texas and the lower Mississippi
Valley…

…Unseasonably warm across much of the South and Southwest as below
average temperatures expand throughout the Great Plains and Midwest…

The main weather feature and focus for showers and thunderstorms through
this weekend will be a cold front progressing across the East and stalling
between the Southeast and southern Texas. Unsettled weather will start the
short range forecasting period located across the central/southern
Appalachians and Southeast. These locations will have the greatest chances
for isolated thunderstorms to become strong enough to produce locally
damaging wind gusts and hail. Elsewhere, light showers are expected to
extend into the Northeast through tonight.

Precipitation is also expected to become more widespread and increase in
intensity throughout the central High Plains and Colorado Front Range by
tonight. A mix of rain and snow is likely, with heavy snow (greater than 4
inches) most likely along the Front Range and lesser amounts into the
foothills on eastward into the High Plains. Snow chances should gradually
subside by Saturday evening, but chilly temperatures will remain across
much of the Great Plains on Sunday.

Meanwhile, instances of heavy rain and scattered flash flooding are
possible on Saturday across parts of the southern Plains and lower
Mississippi Valley as numerous showers and embedded thunderstorms develop
to the north of a stationary front. Repeating rounds of intense rainfall
and areas with wet antecedent ground conditions have prompted a Slight
Risk (level 2/4) of Excessive Rainfall between central Texas and the
ArkLaMiss region. Fortunately, this system is forecast to quickly exit to
the east on Sunday and shift shower and thunderstorm chances to the
Southeast, limiting the flooding threat somewhat.

A quick-moving system will also swing light precipiation into the
Northwest this weekend, which will continue to promote above average
temperatures over the Southwest. Spring warmth will also be found
throughout much of the South today and Saturday for places avoiding
afternoon rain. For a majority of the Nation; however, well below average
temperatures will remain locked in place this weekend underneath high
pressure streaming in from Canada. Highs are anticipated to range from the
40s in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest to the 60s from the
Mid-Atlantic to the Tennessee Valley. Lows into the 30s could produce
frost and/or freeze conditions in the Midwest as well.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 18, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Thu Apr 18 2024
Valid 12Z Thu Apr 18 2024 – 12Z Sat Apr 20 2024

…Severe weather and isolated flash flooding for the Middle
Mississippi/Lower Ohio Valleys and Southern Plains Thursday…

…Showers, thunderstorms, and cooler weather for much of the Southern
Plains Friday; wintry mix into the central High Plains…

…Unseasonably warm conditions for much of the southern U.S.; chillier
weather expands across the northern Rockies/Plains and Upper Midwest…

A weakening system over the Northeast will bring some shower chances to
the northern Mid-Atlantic into New England Thursday. To the west, a much
broader area of showers and thunderstorms is expected ahead of a cold
front from the Middle Mississippi/Lower Ohio Valleys southwestward through
the Southern Plains. Sufficient shear and instability will be in place in
the Middle Mississippi/Lower Ohio Valleys for some organized
thunderstorms/line segments, with the Storm Prediction Center noting an
Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather. Very large hail, damaging
winds, and a few tornadoes will all be possible. A Slight Risk (level 2/5)
extends southwestward along the front into Texas, with a more isolated
threat for some large hail and damaging winds. The prospect of widespread
storm coverage, especially for areas further north through the Middle
Mississippi Valley, and the potential for heavy downpours may lead to some
isolated flash flooding as well.

Shower and thunderstorm chances will progress eastward with the advancing
cold front into the Appalachians by Friday morning and eventually the East
Coast by Friday evening, though coverage and intensity looks to trend
downward during the day as the front approaches the coast. A few isolated
severe thunderstorms may occur over the Southeast. Areas of moderate to
rainfall will linger over portions of the Southern Plains along and north
of the cold front over Texas as it begins to slow and stall over the
region. Some isolated flooding will be possible. Post-frontal upslope flow
will also bring precipiation chances to the central High Plains and Front
Range of the Rockies, with a mix of rain and snow showers for lower
elevations and snow into the mountains. Any accumulations at the lower
elevations should remain minimal.

Forecast high temperatures remain rather warm to even hot across southern
portions of the country Thursday, with highs in the mid-80s to near 90
from Texas eastward through the Southeast, and even as far north as
portions of the Middle Mississippi and Lower Ohio Valleys. Areas of west
Texas and along the Rio Grande Valley will see mid- to upper 90s.
Conditions will be similarly hot in the Desert Southwest. The southerly
progression of the cold front will bring much cooler temperatures Friday
across northern Texas and into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley as highs
drop into the 60s and 70s. Conditions will remain hot south of the frontal
boundary. Further north, highs will range in the 50s and 60s across the
central Plains northeastward into the Great Lakes region, with 60s and 70s
from the Ohio Valley into the southern Mid-Atlantic. The northern
Mid-Atlantic into New England will be a bit chilly Thursday with highs in
the 40s and 50s, with temperatures expected to recover a bit Friday. Cold
temperatures will also expand in coverage across the northern
Rockies/Plains and Upper Midwest as high pressure settles in over the
region, with highs in the 30s and 40s. In the West, highs will range from
the 60s and 70s from the Pacific Northwest southward through coastal
California and inland across the Great Basin, with 80s for the central
California valleys.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 17, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.Short Range Forecast Discussion

NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
220 PM EDT Wed Apr 17 2024
Valid 00Z Thu Apr 18 2024 – 00Z Sat Apr 20 2024

…Severe weather and isolated flash flooding for the Great Lakes/Ohio
Valley this evening; threat shifts to the Ohio and middle Mississippi
valleys and Southern Plains Thursday…

…Warm to hot temperatures across the southern U.S.; chillier weather
spreading southeast from the northern Rockies/Plains…

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop into the evening along
and ahead of a cold front now advancing eastward across Lower Michigan and
the Ohio Valley. Some of these storms may become strong to severe,
producing damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes. In addition to
severe weather, locally heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding are
concerns as well.

Later this evening, storms are forecast to develop from the central Plains
into the lower Missouri Valley. These storms too may become strong to
severe, with damaging hail expected to be the primary threat.

As the system in Plains moves further east, storms are likely to redevelop
from the Ohio Valley into the southern Plains on Thursday. Severe weather
will once again become a concern, especially across portions of the mid
Mississippi into the lower Ohio valleys. The Storm Prediction Center has
issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for portions of the region, noting
that strong to severe storms capable of damaging winds, and possibly a few
tornadoes, are likely tomorrow. While widespread heavy rains are not
expected, locally heavy accumulations resulting in isolated flash flooding
are possible.

Temperatures across the southern U.S. will remain warm through the period,
with highs in the upper 80s and 90s common from the Southwest to the
Southeast over the next couple of days. Much cooler temperatures now
centered over the northern Rockies and Plains will spread southeastward,
lowering temperatures across much of the Midwest and Ohio Valley by Friday.

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