376
FXUS61 KOKX 202059
AFDOKX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New York NY
359 PM EST Thu Feb 20 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
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As intensifying offshore low pressure moves farther out to sea tonight, a weak low pressure trough will move across. Strong high pressure over the Plains states will then move east to the Mid Atlantic coast by Saturday, and remain in control into Monday. Low pressure will pass to the north Monday night into Tuesday, followed by building high pressure on Wednesday. Another low may impact the area late next week.
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&& .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
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As an upper low passes just south and an associated weak sfc trough moves through, light snow showers that have already moved into NYC, NE NJ and parts of the lower Hudson Valley should overspread Long Island. Forecast carries likely PoP for those areas, and also have chance PoP into parts of southern CT mainly over Fairfield County and toward the coast. QPF remains light, less than 1/10 inch in general, and corresponding snowfall amts should be mostly under an inch. Can`t rule out an isolated 1 inch total in the higher elevations north/west of NYC and across parts of western Long Island where forcing with the upper level low will be stronger. Timing of this activity could pose some travel impacts and slick spots to the PM rush. Still, some locales may not see any snow whatsoever, or just a few flurries, largely staying mainly dry and overcast instead, especially into interior southern CT. Clouds thin out regardless overnight as the upper low shifts offshore and drier air works in. NW flow increases tonight as the pressure gradient tightens between the offshore low and the strong inland high, which should preclude decoupling. Low temps range from the mid teens inland, to either side of 20 in NYC and along the coast, with wind chills in the single digits most places, and as low as 0 in spots well inland.
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&& .SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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Under mostly clear skies, blustery NW flow will continue Fri into Fri night between the offshore low and the high to the west at it builds toward the Mid Atlantic coast. Gusts 30-35 mph and an occasional gust up to 40 mph in the NYC metro area expected Fri afternoon. Temps should reach the lower/mid 30s by afternoon. Flow relaxes into Friday night as the high builds closer, and mostly clear skies prevail as temperatures fall into the teens and lower 20s. Winds relax by daytime Sat and back WSW in the afternoon as the high reaches the Mid Atlantic coast. Another mostly sunny day expected, with highs 35-40.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
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There have been no significant changes to the long term forecast. Key Points: * A warming trend will continue Sunday through the middle of next week, with mid to upper 40s possible both Tuesday and Wednesday. Some locations could reach 50 degrees in metro NE NJ and NYC. * Mainly dry conditions are expected through mid week. * A more organized low pressure system may impact the area late next week. The mean upper trough axis will remain offshore the second half of the upcoming weekend with a NW flow remaining aloft. The orientation of the trough begins to shift back to the west early next week as a few shortwaves pass across the Great Lakes and northeast. These appear moisture starved and may only bring an increase in clouds Monday into Tuesday. Model consensus PoPs remain at slight chance (20%) and this seems reasonable given the progressive flow, limited moisture, and weak lift. A progressive ridge the follows on Wednesday behind the departing shortwave. This will briefly bring a return to high pressure. A more amplified upper trough may follow late next week. The modeling is in good agreement on the larger scale pattern, but differ significantly with the track of an associated low pressure. This appears to be the next system to bring a chance of widespread precipitation to the area. Details on its track and associated precipitation types and amounts are of lower confidence given this is a week out. Followed the NBM/model consensus, which is leaning towards a warmer solution yielding mostly plain rain. Will follow the NBM, but cap precip probabilities off at chance for now since this is a week out and the timing could easily change in subsequent forecast cycles.
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&& .AVIATION /21Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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An upper level low and surface trough will cross the area tonight. High pressure builds in Friday. VFR with a period of MVFR and possibly IFR in light snow showers this evening. Tempo groups included for the lower conditions in snow especially for city terminals. There is some timing uncertainty with the onset and northeast extent given drier air across CT. Up to a half inch of snow is possible. NW flow 10-15G20 kt is expected through the remainder of the forecast. More gusts develop later this evening, and may be more occasional until toward 00Z. Winds and gusts increase overnight, with occasional gusts 30-35 kt and continue into Friday. ...NY Metro (KEWR/KLGA/KJFK/KTEB) TAF Uncertainty... Amendments for timing of snow and lowering conditions this evening. Occasional gusts late this evening and overnight may exceed 30 kt. .OUTLOOK FOR 12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY... Friday: VFR. NW winds G25 kt. Saturday and Sunday: VFR. Monday and Tuesday...Mainly VFR. Detailed information, including hourly TAF wind component forecasts, can be found at: https:/www.weather.gov/zny/n90
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&& .MARINE...
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SCA cond about to begin on NY Harbor and the western ocean waters should spread to all waters this evening an continue on all waters through daytime Fri. A few gusts up to 35 kt may be possible on the outer ocean waters late this evening and overnight as ocean seas build to 5-7 ft. Winds slowly diminish Fri night, first by evening on the western sound, then on NY Harbor and the south shore bays by midnight Fri night. Other than perhaps a few lingering 5-footers on the outer ern ocean waters early Sat AM, conditions will likely remain below SCA levels from Sat through Tue as a weak pressure gradient settles over the waters.
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&& .HYDROLOGY... No hydrologic impacts expected. && .OKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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CT...None. NY...None. NJ...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EST Saturday for ANZ331-332- 340-350-353-355. Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EST Friday for ANZ335. Small Craft Advisory until midnight EST Friday night for ANZ338-345.
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&& $$ SYNOPSIS...BG/DS NEAR TERM...BG SHORT TERM...BG LONG TERM...DS AVIATION...IRD MARINE...BG/DS HYDROLOGY...BG/DS