NWS Forecast Discussion


244
FXUS61 KBOX 130814
AFDBOX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
314 AM EST Fri Dec 13 2024

.SYNOPSIS...

Strong high pressure building in from the west will result in
dry but cold weather with below normal temperatures today and
Saturday. Shift to a more unsettled weather pattern Sunday
through next week with periods of precipitation possible.
Temperatures trend above normal through mid-week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...

310 AM Update...

* Plenty of sunshine but cold today
* High temps mainly in the lower-middle 30s

Large high pressure will slide eastward today across the Great
Lakes. Other than a batch of mid level cloudiness moving across
the region into mid-morning...plenty of sunshine is on tap for
today. However...the low December sun angle coupled with 925T
near -10C will result in a cold day. High temps will range from
the upper 20s in the high terrain...to mainly the lower to
middle 30s elsewhere. These temperatures are about 10 degrees
below normal for this time of year. WNW winds will gust between
15 and 25 mph later this morning and afternoon making it feel
even colder.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH 6 PM SATURDAY/...

Key Messages...

* Mostly clear & cold tonight with lows mainly in the teens
* Sunny & cold Sat with highs mainly between 30 and 35

Details...

Tonight...

The very strong high pressure system near 1050 mb noses into the
region from the west. This will result in mainly clear
skies...calm/light winds and an ideal night of radiational
cooling. This should allow low temps to bottom out between 10
and 15 degrees in the normally coldest outlying locations...to
the lower 20s in the Urban Heat Island of Boston.

Saturday...

The 1050 mb high pressure system will be in control of our
weather Sat. This will provide plenty of sunshine but with
continued cold temperatures. Highs will generally be between 30
and 35...but the winds will be lighter than today given the high
pressure system in control.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...

Key Messages:

* More unsettled weather Sun through next week with periods of
  precipitation possible.

* Below normal temperatures Sunday, trending above normal early next
  week.

High pressure remains in place Saturday night resulting in another
night of clear skies, radiational cooling and thus chilly
temperatures. Temperatures likely drop into the mid to upper teens
across most areas with some low 20s for some of the coastal
locations. The higher terrain spots across the interior may see lows
drop into the lower teens and perhaps some single digit values.

Ensemble guidance continues to show a consensus on a shift to a more
unsettled/active pattern Sunday into next week. There is a general
signal for increased moisture phased with the passage of a few
shortwave troughs in the flow aloft. This will give way to periods
precipitation. There are still some differences among individual
model/solutions with respect to details (ie timing). Precipitation
chances increase Sunday night into Monday morning with the first
leading weak wave. With shallow cold air in place at the surface to
start and warm air advection slowly moving in from the south, there
is potential for light mixed precip/icing for parts of the interior
at the onset of precipitation. Can`t rule out snow for the interior
if precip moves in early Mon morning. With timing still uncertain,
this is something we`ll have to watch with potential for minor
impacts to the Mon AM commute. Winds transition southerly as warm
air advects into the region toward the afternoon. This should favor
rain for the afternoon as highs rise toward the low 40s.

There is a better signal for moisture into Tuesday as the main
shortwave trough/front moves across which may result in a period of
higher coverage light rainfall. Temperatures will be sufficiently
above normal with highs into the 50s. Conditions dry out into
Wednesday with W/WSW flow aloft with temperatures stay near to
slightly above normal. Ensemble guidance is hinting at potential for
another late week system; however, details are uncertain at this
time. There is also a general signal for cooler air to return to the
region for the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /08Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...

Forecast Confidence Levels:

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

Overnight...High confidence.

VFR. West to west/northwest winds at 08-12 kts with an
occasional gust to 20 kts near the Cape.

Friday and Friday Night...High confidence.

VFR. West/northwest wind 8 to 12 knots Friday morning. After
15-17z, gusts to 20 knots for most terminals. Winds decrease
after 21z becoming less than 8 knots from the west/northwest
Friday night.

Saturday:

VFR. With potential for offshore ocean effect clouds to clip the
Cape/Islands. NW winds less than 10 kts.

KBOS TAF...High Confidence in TAF.

KBDL TAF...High Confidence in TAF.

Outlook /Saturday Night through Tuesday/...

Saturday Night through Sunday Night: VFR.

Monday: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Chance RA, chance
SN.

Monday Night: MVFR/IFR conditions possible. Breezy. Chance RA.

Tuesday: Mainly MVFR, with local IFR possible. Breezy. RA.

&&

.MARINE...

Forecaster Confidence Levels:

Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

Today through Saturday...High Confidence.

A very strong high pressure system across the Great Lakes will
build eastward tonight into Saturday. Cold advection over the
relatively mild ocean will result WNW wind gusts of 20-25 knots.
We opted to continue the small craft headlines for the outer-
waters...where we also have some lingering 5+ swell. Any
lingering small craft conditions should come to an end during
the evening as this high pressure system builds east. No marine
headlines will be needed on Sat with high pressure in control.

Outlook /Saturday Night through Tuesday/...

Saturday Night through Sunday Night: Winds less than 25 kt.

Monday: Winds less than 25 kt. Chance of rain.

Monday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching
5 ft. Chance of rain.

Tuesday: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft. Rain.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM EST this morning for ANZ235-
     237.
     Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EST this evening for ANZ250-
     254>256.

&&

$$

SYNOPSIS...Frank/Mensch
NEAR TERM...Frank
SHORT TERM...Frank
LONG TERM...Mensch
AVIATION...Frank/Mensch
MARINE...Frank/Mensch

NWS BOX Office Area Forecast Discussion