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FXUS61 KOKX 090305
AFDOKX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New York NY
1005 PM EST Fri Mar 8 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
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High pressure tonight gives way to a low pressure system over the weekend. Strong low pressure will slowly exit the area, moving through northern New England Sunday night. Meanwhile, high pressure will build in from the west, likely moving across the area on Wednesday. A frontal system will then potentially bring unsettled weather for the end of next week.
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&& .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/...
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Small positive adjustments were made to temperatures and cloud coverage. Overall, the forecast remains mainly on track. High clouds continue to appear in latest IR satellite imagery moving into the region from the west. Cloudy sky conditions are expected for the rest of tonight for the entire forecast area. Clouds lower and thicken late tonight as high pressure exits to the east and a storm system approaches from the west. Lows in outlying areas and within some interior areas were increased several degrees compared to previous forecast. Expansive clouds will limit the radiational cooling. The range of lows forecast is from the lower 30s to lower 40s.
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&& .SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY/... A broad area of low pressure approaches on Saturday. While one circulation center weakens as it heads NE into Quebec, a secondary center deepens as it moves through the Mid-Atlantic. This will pass through the forecast area late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, then continue NE through New England during the rest of Sunday. Rain spreads eastward through the forecast area Saturday afternoon into evening. The rain could be briefly heavy at times starting late in the evening as deeper moisture and deeper lift (low level jet and left exit region of an upper jet streak) pass through. Additionally, some elevated CAPE and marginally unstable mid-level lapse rates may be present at this point, so there may be a convective element with this as well - adding to the threat of a heavy downpour. Have added a slight chance of thunder to the forecast. Given current flash flood guidance, what was observed during the rain event couple of days ago, and expected rain amounts, anticipating primarily minor flooding impacts wherever flooding occurs. However, will go with a flood watch over NE NJ and Rockland County where rain amounts could be the highest and where conditions are most sensitive. See the hydrology section below for more details. The steady rain will likely end by daybreak Sunday in most spots. With an upper low/cyclonic flow aloft lagging behind the surface low and sufficient mid-level present, afternoon showers will be possible. Snow showers could mix in late in the day NW of the city as freezing level heights lower. As for winds during this period, it still appears that the entire area remains below advisory level thresholds before winds increase further Sunday night. 925mb winds of 65-75kt anticipated over the eastern zones late Saturday night, but with a strong low level inversion, not so confident that 40kt+ gusts would mix down to the surface even in heavier downpours. If this were to occur, it would mostly likely happen over Long Island and SE CT. Then after a lull in the winds with the low center passing through, winds pick up out of the west late morning Sunday into the afternoon. Deep mixing with winds at the top of the mixed layer perhaps getting into the 40-50kt range over the western zones towards the end of the day might be able to produce a gust or two to advisory levels. Being at the end of the 4th period, it`s still too early for any advisory consideration, and better chances for 40kt+ winds to occur start Sunday night. High temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday mostly in the upper 40s to around 50. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... By the start of the Sunday night period, the strong surface low that will bring unsettled weather earlier in the weekend will be centered over northern New England and slowly departing the area. By that time, the area will be mostly dry, with just some lingering slight chances of snow or snow/rain showers as the upper low moves overhead, mainly for the northern half of the area. No accumulation is expected. As the strong surface low pulls away, high pressure starts to build in from the west and the pressure gradient increases. Strong winds are possible across the whole area on Monday. Deep mixing can be seen in model soundings, with both the 12z NAM and GFS showing 45 to 50 kt at the top of the mixed layer. Forecast winds and wind gusts have bumped up slightly, with much of the area right around Wind Advisory criteria (sustained 31-39 mph, gusts 46-57 mph) late Monday morning through the early evening. The rest of the week will feature mainly quiet and dry conditions, with a warming trend. A ridge builds over the eastern CONUS aloft as high pressure remains in control at the surface. Highs Tuesday will be in the 50s and by Friday they will be in the mid 50s to upper 60s. A frontal system does approach late week and could bring unsettled weather to the area. For now, stuck close to the NBM during that time period as there is quite a bit of spread among the deterministic guidance. This gives slight chance PoPs Friday morning increasing to chance PoPs by the afternoon. This would be an all plain rain event. && .AVIATION /03Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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High pressure continues to move offshore with low pressure approaching from the south and west late Saturday. VFR conditions initially tonight but with the development of stratus overnight into Saturday, MVFR conditions will become more likely. Rain ahead of the low starts Saturday mid to late afternoon west to east. IFR will be possible at times Saturday. Winds will be 5 kts or less with variable direction tonight for some terminals with otherwise a general 5-8 kt SE flow for other terminals. Winds become more easterly Saturday and remain generally near 5-10 kt for Saturday morning before picking up during the afternoon. Winds increase to 10-15 kt range in the afternoon and then to 15-20 kt going into early evening. Gusts will become more likely Saturday afternoon up to 20 kt, but around 25 kt going into early evening. ...NY Metro (KEWR/KLGA/KJFK/KTEB) TAF Uncertainty... Amendments likely to refine timing of MVFR, IFR and the rain. There could be fluctuation between MVFR and IFR throughout the day on Saturday. OUTLOOK FOR 00Z SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... Saturday night: IFR with rain. SE winds G25-30kt. LLWS SE winds 45- 50 kt at 2kft late evening into overnight. A slight chance of thunderstorms late. Sunday: MVFR early, then VFR by afternoon, except at KGON which could be IFR early, then become MVFR later in the morning and VFR by afternoon. SW winds 15-20G25kt early, becoming W 20-25G30-35 kt by afternoon. Rain showers possible, especially near KGON and KSWF. Sunday night: MVFR possible. Rain and snow showers possible Sunday night for KHPN, KSWF and CT terminals. Otherwise, VFR. W winds 15- 20G25-30kt. Monday: VFR. NW winds 20-25 kt with gusts near 35-40 kt. Monday night: VFR. NW winds near 20 kt in the evening with gusts up to 25-30 kt, eventually decreasing to 10-15 kt with gusts 20-25kt late. Tuesday: VFR. NW winds 10-15G20kt. Tuesday night and Wednesday: VFR. Detailed information, including hourly TAF wind component forecasts, can be found at: https:/www.weather.gov/zny/n90
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&& .MARINE... Expecting ocean waves to hover around 4-5 feet through tonight due to swell. There could be an extended period during later tonight into Saturday morning where prevailing wave heights are below 5ft, however not enough confidence to shorten the SCA at this time, especially with the expectation of seas building back up during Saturday afternoon as onshore winds increase. A gale watch has been extended in time and is now up for all waters Saturday night through Sunday night as a strengthening low pressure system passes through during Saturday night and after a lull Sunday morning, westerly winds ramp up Saturday afternoon and night as the pressure gradient tightens. Gale conditions will likely continue on all waters Monday through the first half of Monday night. Gusts look to peak Monday afternoon, with widespread 40 kt gusts, and 40 to 45 on the ocean waters. Waves will be 9 to 11 feet on the ocean waters Sunday night through the first half of Monday night, before lowering. Waves also look to reach 5 ft across the LI Sound. Gusts lower Monday night, but could remain around Small Craft Advisory criteria through Tuesday. Thereafter, winds and waves look to remain below SCA criteria, with the next potential being with a frontal system at the end of next week. && .HYDROLOGY... Around an inch to 2 inches of rain is expected to fall Saturday afternoon through Saturday night. The higher amounts are expected to be north and west of NYC. There will be the chance of flash flooding, primarily nearby smaller rivers and streams across NE NJ into Rockland County due to antecedent wet soils and the anticipated rain totals. The heaviest rainfall is expected late Saturday evening into the early morning hours of Sunday. Otherwise, mainly minor/poor drainage flooding will be possible Saturday night. There are no hydrologic concerns Sunday night through next week. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
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Water levels will be on the increase going into this weekend. Statements and advisories are up for the high tide cycles through Sat morning as water levels approach or exceed minor thresholds. Have issued coastal flood watches for Sat night for the western Sound, and for Sat night into Sunday morning for the south shore of Long Island and Jamaica Bay. SE winds ramping up to gale force Sat evening should result in tide departures of about 2.5 to 3 ft in the western Sound and along the south shore of western Long Island Sat evening per 2:1 blend of NYHOPS 50th and 95th percentile, with water levels likely reaching moderate thresholds in the watch area, with widespread minor flooding elsewhere. As winds shift SW-W Sunday morning higher water levels, with surge up to 2.5 ft on top of higher astronomical tides, should lead to another round of minor to moderate flooding. Higher surge is likely to be pushed eastward into the Great South Bay and Jamaica Bay as has occurred with a few other events this winter, with moderate flooding expected there, and at least minor flooding elsewhere. Blend of Stevens NYHOPS 50th/95th percentiles and the PETSS 50th percentile (leaning toward PETSS numbers where higher along the Great South Bay) captures this scenario.
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&& .OKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CT...Coastal Flood Advisory from 9 AM to noon EST Saturday for CTZ009. Coastal Flood Watch from Saturday evening through late Saturday night for CTZ009. NY...Coastal Flood Advisory from 9 AM to noon EST Saturday for NYZ071. Coastal Flood Watch from Saturday evening through late Saturday night for NYZ071-073-078-176-177. Flood Watch from Saturday evening through Sunday morning for NYZ069. Coastal Flood Watch from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon for NYZ080-178-179. Coastal Flood Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon for NYZ081. Coastal Flood Advisory from 5 AM to 9 AM EST Saturday for NYZ179. NJ...Flood Watch from Saturday evening through Sunday morning for NJZ002-004-006-103>108. MARINE...Gale Watch from Saturday evening through late Sunday night for ANZ331-332-335-338-340-345-350-353-355. Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EST Saturday for ANZ350-353- 355. && $$ SYNOPSIS...JC/JT NEAR TERM...JC/JM/JT SHORT TERM...JC LONG TERM...JT AVIATION...JM MARINE...JC/JT HYDROLOGY...JC/JT TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...