EconCurrents

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Tue Sep 10 2024
Valid 12Z Tue Sep 10 2024 – 12Z Thu Sep 12 2024

…Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds, as well as the
risk of considerable flash flooding are forecast across southern Louisiana
on Wednesday as Francine approaches…

…Heavy rain expected to impact parts of the northern Rockies by
midweek…

…Elevated to critical fire weather concerns across much of the
Intermountain West…

As of early this morning Tropical Storm Francine continues churning in the
western Gulf of Mexico just to the southeast of Brownsville, Texas and
moving on a gradual northward motion. Francine is forecast to strengthen
into a hurricane before an expected landfall in southern Louisiana on
Wednesday. As the system approaches the central Gulf Coast and eventually
pushes inland across Louisiana, an increased threat of life-threatening
storm surge, hurricane-fore winds, and considerable flash flooding is
anticipated. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts up to
12 inches are forecast across much of central/eastern Louisiana and
Mississippi through Thursday night. Francine is then forecast to continue
its trek northward into the Mid-South on Thursday, while quickly
weakening. However, additional heavy rainfall and flash flooding concerns
are possible into western Tennessee neighboring regions. A stationary
front extending eastward from the center of the storm over the next few
days will also focus areas of numerous, slow-moving thunderstorms capable
of containing intense rainfall rates between the Florida Peninsula and
central Gulf Coast. Residents are reminded to remain weather-ready and
never drive across flooded roadways.

The only other section of the Lower 48 expecting chances for heavy rain
through midweek are parts the northern Rockies as a deep upper-level low
crosses over the region. A few inches of rainfall throughout northwest
Montana could lead to an increased risk of flash flooding on Wednesday,
which has prompted a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of Excessive Rainfall. This
storm system will also produce gusty winds throughout the Intermountain
West and lead to fire weather concerns. Specifically, the Storm Prediction
Center has issued a Critical Fire Weather area for much of Nevada and
western Utah. Current and continued wildfire activity over the Great Basin
will further add to the smokey skies noticeable throughout the northern
Plains, Midwest, and parts of the Ohio/Tennessee valleys.

High temperatures will remain above average average and into potentially
dangerous levels across parts of southern California and the Southwest
today before a quick cooldown commences by midweek. Meanwhile, upper
ridging in the north-central U.S. is expected to produce more summer-like
afternoon temperatures into the upper 80s and low 90s as far north as the
northern Plains and Upper Midwest by Thursday. These temperatures equate
to around 10 to 20 degrees above average, but are not expected to break
many daily records.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Mon Sep 09 2024
Valid 12Z Mon Sep 09 2024 – 12Z Wed Sep 11 2024

…Heavy rain and a risk of flash flooding expected throughout much of the
Gulf Coast and Florida Peninsula into midweek…

…Potentially dangerous heat forecast across southern California and the
Southwest today…

…Elevated to critical fire weather concerns as well as Air Quality
Alerts remain across much of the Great Basin…

A stationary front extending from the Florida Peninsula through the
northern Gulf of Mexico along with a gradually organizing area of low
pressure in the southwest Gulf of Mexico (labeled Potential Tropical
Cyclone Six by the National Hurricane Center) will continue to produce
areas of heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding through midweek. For
today, the heaviest rainfall is anticipated over portions of southern
Texas, the central Gulf Coast, and much of the Florida Peninsula, mainly
associated with scattered showers and thunderstorms near the stationary
boundary. This may lead to isolated flash flooding concerns mainly
concentrated to urban locations. By Tuesday and more pronounced on
Wednesday, increased moisture content and organized bands of thunderstorms
associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone Six are forecast to reach the
western and central Gulf Coast. This will increase the risk of heavy
rainfall and considerable flash flooding. At the moment, the greatest risk
for rainfall amounts up to 12 inches and numerous flash floods are
forecast throughout southern Louisiana. Life-threatening storm surge and
damaging winds are also possible from the Upper Texas Coast to the
Louisiana coastline as the system is forecast to reach hurricane strength
in the northwest Gulf of Mexico by midweek. Residents should ensure they
have their hurricane plan in place and check www.nhc.noaa.gov for the
latest forecast.

Dangerous heat is in the forecast for at least one additional day for
southern California and parts of the Southwest. Highs into the upper 90s
and triple digits have prompted Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat
Advisories to be issued, with a cooling trend set to commence by midweek.
The combination of above average temperatures, dry vegetation, and gusty
winds have resulted in elevated to critical fire weather concerns
throughout much of the Intermountain West through the next couple of days.
Additionally, current wildfires continue to pump smoke into the atmosphere
of the northern Great Basin, leading to poor air quality. This smoke is
also forecast to extend eastward in the mid-to-upper levels of the
atmosphere through the northern Plains and Ohio Valley, creating
noticeably hazy skies.

Elsewhere, well above average temperatures are expected across the
north-central U.S. as highs return to the upper 80s and low 90s, which
equates to around 10-15 degrees above average. Cooler, fall-like
temperatures will kickoff the new workweek throughout the Ohio Valley and
East until temperatures return to near normal by Wednesday as the dominant
high pressure system in place slowly slides eastward to the western
Atlantic.

While notable precipiation should be mostly sparse across the Lower 48
outside of the Gulf Coast, a few areas of locally heavy rain are possible
across the Northeast and Northwest through Wednesday. Isolated severe
thunderstorms are possible throughout Upstate New York today as a weak
cold front dives across the region, with some storms potentially
containing damaging wind gusts. Increasing precipitation chances are also
forecast to spread into the Northwest and Northern Rockies as a deep upper
low swings eastward from the northeast Pacific.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sun Sep 08 2024
Valid 12Z Sun Sep 08 2024 – 12Z Tue Sep 10 2024

…Dangerous heat continues to impact portions of southern California and
the Southwest through Monday…

…Heavy rain and scattered instances of flash flooding remain possible
along the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast over the next several
days…

…Below average temperatures forecast across much of the Midwest and East
through the beginning of the week…

Potentially dangerous and record-breaking heat is forecast to continue
across southern California as highs soar into the upper 90s and triple
digits away from the immediate coastline. Excessive Heat Warnings remain
in effect through Monday as a gradual cooldown commences on Tuesday. Highs
into the triple digits are also forecast throughout the remainder of the
Desert Southwest, but not considered as anomalous as values forecast
across southern California. Elsewhere, above average temperatures are
anticipated across the northern Great Basin and northern Plains as
upper-level ridging slides eastward. Heat will wane across eastern
Washington and neighboring states by Tuesday as the core of the
late-summer temperatures concentrate over the northern Plains. Highs in
the north-central U.S. are forecast to reach into the low-to-mid 90s early
this week, which equates to around 10 to 20 degrees above average for this
time of year. Additionally, sultry heat and humidity will impact southern
Florida once again today, where Heat Advisories have been issued due to
maximum heat indices forecast to near 110 degrees. Remember to follow
proper heat safety by staying hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor
activity during peak daytime heating, and checking on vulnerable
individuals.

Much of the Nation is anticipated to be void of notable precipitation over
the next few days, with the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast being
the lone exception. A lingering stationary front and developing area of
low pressure in the western Gulf of Mexico will focus heavy rainfall
potential from the coastal Carolinas to the Florida Peninsula and entire
Gulf Coast region. Scattered flash flooding is possible where the heaviest
rainfall occurs, with urban and low-lying areas most at risk to flooding
impacts. Otherwise, isolated flash flooding is also possible in parts of
the Intermountain West through early this week due to widely scattered
thunderstorms developing in tandem with daytime heating.

Large surface high pressure extending from the southern Plains to the
Midwest and East throughout Tuesday will not only supply sunny and dry
conditions for much of the Lower 48, but well below average temperatures
as well. In fact, daily record lows are possible between the Midwest and
Mid-Atlantic this morning as temperatures dip into the 40s for most
locations. Patchy frost is possible in low lying protected areas. As this
autumnal airmass moderates somewhat early this week, afternoon
temperatures will gradually warm back into the mid-80s by Tuesday.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sat Sep 07 2024
Valid 12Z Sat Sep 07 2024 – 12Z Mon Sep 09 2024

…Dangerous heat continues to impact portions of the West this weekend…

…Heavy rain and scattered instances of flash flooding are possible along
the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast…

…Below average temperatures to settle in across much of the Midwest and
East through the beginning of next week…

A few more days of record-breaking and dangerous heat are in store for
parts of the West as well above average temperatures linger underneath a
weakening upper-level high pressure system. Areas most likely to
experience major to extreme HeatRisk (levels of heat that affect anyone
without effective cooling or adequate hydration) through Sunday include
southern California, the Desert Southwest, and the northern Great Basin.
These regions are also where Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories
remain in effect. High temperatures in the Southwest are expected to soar
into the upper 90s and triple digits, with 110s in the typically hottest
desert locations through at least Monday. Highs into the upper 90s are
forecast to simmer the northern Great Basin before a gradual cooling trend
commences by early next week, with the anomalously warm temperatures
forecast to shift eastward into the northern Plains. Residents and
visitors are advised to continue following proper heat safety. This
includes staying hydrated and avoiding extended periods of time outdoors
during the hottest parts of the day. Poor air quality will also remain a
concern for parts of the Great Basin as wildfire smoke continues to
overspread the region.

A stationary front extending from off the Southeast coastline to the
northern Gulf of Mexico will continue to provide a focus for numerous
showers and thunderstorms over the next few days as its moisture gradient
gets reinforced by a separate approaching cold front sinking southward
across the Deep South today. Areas of locally heavy rain and scattered
flash floods are possible from the coastal Carolinas to the central Gulf
Coast, including northern and central Florida. Greater concentration of
tropical downpours are anticipated to reorient to southern Texas by Monday
as an area of low pressure develops in the Bay of Campeche and ushers
elevated atmospheric moisture westward to the western Gulf Coast.

Elsewhere, a cold front sweeping across the East Coast today will produce
scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the Northeast. Behind this
frontal boundary and underneath potent high pressure, below average and
crisp temperatures are expected to overspread much of the Great Lakes,
Midwest, and East this weekend. Widespread lows into the 40s will lead to
a few chilly mornings, with several daily record lows possible between
Missouri and New Jersey on Sunday. Patchy frost cannot be ruled out for
some locations. Conversely, southern Florida will remain hot and humid
this weekend as high temperatures rise into the low-to-mid 90s, while heat
indices approach 110 degrees.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Fri Sep 06 2024
Valid 12Z Fri Sep 06 2024 – 12Z Sun Sep 08 2024

…Dangerous heat continues to impact large sections of the West into this
weekend…

…Heavy rain and instances of flash flooding are likely throughout the
central Gulf Coast and Southeast over the next few days…

…Showers and isolated severe thunderstorms possible from the Ohio Valley
to the Lower Great Lakes today…

An upper level high pressure system is expected to continue aiding well
above average and potentially dangerous temperatures throughout the West
into the first full weekend of September. Highs today are forecast to soar
into the triple digits for much of the Southwest and interior California,
with 110s in the typically hottest locations of the Desert Southwest.
Meanwhile, daily high temperature records are possible in the Northwest
where mid-to-upper 90s are in the forecast. A minimal relaxing of the
extreme heat should be felt throughout much of the West and Southwest on
Saturday, but with temperatures remaining above average. The core of the
anomalous heat will shift to the northern Great Basin and northern Rockies
as parts of eastern Oregon and Washington experience another day with
highs well into the 90s. Poor air quality will also remain an issue
throughout parts of the northern Great Basin as wildfire smoke continues
to plague the region. Residents and visors are advised to follow proper
heat safety, which includes checking on vulnerable individuals.

Not much heavy precipitation to speak of throughout the Nation over the
next few days besides along the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast. A
lingering stationary front and a couple waves of low pressure will provide
a focus for tropical downpours over already saturated soils. The greatest
threat for heavy rainfall turning into flash flooding impacts are forecast
across southeast Louisiana today, where a Moderate Risk (level 3/4) of
Excessive Rainfall has been issued. Several inches of rain occurring
within a very short period of time could lead to numerous flash floods
here. A scattered flash flood threat also extends eastward along and just
north of the stationary front into northern Florida and southern Georgia.
This frontal boundary is expected to gradually sink southward by Saturday
as an area of low pressure exits off the Southeast coastline, with a
persisting isolated flash flood potential extending from the central Gulf
Coast and northern Florida to the coastal Carolinas. Remember, most flood
fatalities occur within vehicles… turn around, don’t drown.

Elsewhere, a cold front sweeping across the Ohio Valley and Lower Great
Lakes will usher in below average temperatures throughout the Great Lakes,
Midwest, before reaching the East Coast by this weekend, while also
producing areas of showers and thunderstorms. A few storms could produce
locally gusty winds and hail today in the Ohio Valley and nearby Lake Erie
region. Scattered showers are expected to progress eastward along the cold
front on Saturday and dampen weekend plans throughout the Interior
Northeast and sections of New England by Saturday evening.