Scientific Forecaster Discussion

NWS Discussion
			
				

Area forecast discussion 
National Weather Service Paducah Kentucky 
236 am CDT Tuesday may 21 2013 


Short term...(today through Thursday night) 
issued at 215 am CDT Tuesday may 21 2013 


Nearest term is dealing with remaining convection/tornados watch box. 
In general...the trend is diminishing in strength/intensity as the 
line sinks southward and eastward. A few healthy cells may 
continue to pulse...however...and with a couple of outflow 
boundaries working out of the northern and southern portions of 
the convective line...we'll only drop watch box counties behind 
the line. 


The models show the convection moving east...weakening...and then 
refiring this PM/evening as the upper level jet enters the 
picture. Best lift/instability will be to our south...but a slight 
risk of severe will continue. Would not be surprised to see a portion of 
the County Warning Area/especially semo/swky/swil...included in a late day-early evening 
watch box. 


Associated surface wave opens up and lifts across MO/IL/in 
tonight. This will drive the front and associated convection through 
the area. Instability lessens with time/overnight but active 
convection early in the period may extend through the 
night...something to watch and a high pop/categorical mention is 
warranted either way. 


The upper trough/best height falls occur Wednesday and drive the 
system through/to the east of US through Wednesday night. Probability of precipitation may even 
linger through thursay as 2ndary upper trough passage allows some 
diurnal instability showers/storms to develop...particularly northern/eastern 
portions forecast area. The system departs to the east by Thursday night...when 
pleasantly cooler/drier air starts to overtake the column. 80s and 
60s cool to 70s and 50s thereafter. 


Long term...(friday through monday) 
issued at 236 am CDT Tuesday may 21 2013 


Dry and tranquil weather is expected late in the week with high 
pressure ridging at the surface and aloft. Temperatures are likely 
to remain in the 70s on Friday...and reach just shy of the seasonal 
80 degree mark on Saturday. A warming trend will take place over the 
weekend into early next week as low level flow becomes southerly on 
the back side of departing high pressure. 


Models continue to differ in their handling of a baroclinic zone 
forecast to develop just north of the region early next week...and 
thus with regard to precipitation chances as well. Both the Gem and 
especially the GFS have been fairly consistent in keeping the 
boundary and convective potential mainly north of the region as a 
middle level ridge remains in place locally. On the other hand...the 
European model (ecmwf) seems to suggest the boundary and associated precipitation 
will meander south into the region by Monday. Given the rather poor 
run to run consistency of the European model (ecmwf) and the presence of the middle 
level ridge...prefer to steer the forecast in the direction of the 
drier GFS at this time. 


Will also keep temperatures above the initialized guidance blend 
late in the period. This yields highs in the lower to middle 80s both 
Sunday and Monday...with lows in the lower to middle 60s. 


&& 


Aviation... 
issued at 215 am CDT Tuesday may 21 2013 


Active ongoing convection at this writing. Gust fronts producing 
winds/gusts to 35 kts precede main line of convection roughly 30-60 
minutes where storm gusts may likewise reach 35 kts or better. 
Expect most intense activity next 2-3 hours to then deteriorate to 
more moderate shower activity with MVFR conditions improving to 
VFR by middle morning. PM redevelopment will have highest probability of precipitation west 
to lowest east...with return to MVFR condtions by evening 
expected as another round hits terminals/flight paths. In both 
instances a strong storm may produce IFR ceilings/visibilities albeit short- 
lived. 




&& 


Pah watches/warnings/advisories... 
Illinois...none. 
MO...none. 
In...none. 
Kentucky...none. 
&& 


$$