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fxus61 kgyx 201859 
afdgyx 


Area forecast discussion 
National Weather Service Gray ME 
259 PM EDT Wednesday Aug 20 2008 


Synopsis... 
high pressure centered over the eastern Great Lakes will approach 
the forecast area tonight and crest over the region on Thursday. 
As the high works its way offshore...it will set up a southerly/ 
southwesterly flow on Friday which will begin importing a warmer 
..moister airmass into the region for the weekend. A following 
trough of low pressure and associated cold front will drop down 
across the region on Sunday and move offshore Sunday night. Behind 
the front will another high pressure system will usher in another 
cooler/drier airmass for early next workweek. 




&& 


Near term /until 8 PM this evening/... 
dissipating cumulus through the rest of the late afternoon. 


&& 


Short term /8 PM this evening through 6 PM Thursday/... 
tonight...partly cloudy over northern/mountain sections/mostly 
clear over southern/coastal sections with patchy River Valley fog 
between midnight and around sunrise. Have gone with zero probability of precipitation and 
temperatures/winds are a blend mav/met/current forecast database. 




&& 


Long term /Thursday night through Wednesday/... 
an upper level ridge will build east over New England Thursday 
night and Friday. At the surface...the associated high pressure 
area will move offshore and allow a warm southwest flow to set up. 
This should push daytime high temperatures well into the 80s on 
Friday. 


The ridge will start to flatten Saturday as a trough approaches 
from central Canada. This may allow some high level cloud cover to 
move in late in the day...but would expect skies to be mostly 
sunny through most of the day and temperatures should once again 
warm into the 80s. 


The through should push east Saturday night through Monday. At the 
surface...an associated cold front will push east across the 
forecast area late Sunday and Sunday night. Timing is uncertain at 
that time range with some models indicating a slower eastward 
progress of the front. In any event would expect a period of 
scattered showers and thunderstorms to precede the front. At this 
time late Sunday afternoon into Sunday night would be the time 
period to expect the showers and thunderstorms...but the timing 
could change based on later model runs. Increased cloud cover and 
possible showers should hold high temperatures close to 80 on 
Sunday. 


High pressure should build in behind the cold front early next 
week. The high will bring dry weather and cooler temperatures in 
the 70s. 


&& 


Aviation /18z Wednesday through Monday/... 
short term...mostly VFR through Thursday except for locally patchy 
River Valley fog lowering conditions to IFR/possible LIFR 08z-12z. 


Long term...local IFR conditions in valley fog are possible again 
Thursday night...otherwise no weather hazards expected through 
Saturday night. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible 
ahead of an approaching cold front Sunday and Sunday night. 


&& 


Marine... 
short term...west to northwest winds generally gusting to 15-25 kts 
through the rest of the afternoon. Could see a few gusts to just over 
25 knots but believe this will be the exception so not planning on 
sca's at this time. No flags anticipated overnight and Thursday. 


Long term...winds and seas could approach Small Craft Advisory 
criteria ahead of an approaching cold front Sunday afternoon and 
evening. 


&& 


Gyx watches/warnings/advisories... 
ME...none. 
New Hampshire...none. 
Marine...none. 


&& 


$$ 
Synopsis... 
near term... 
short term... 
long term...Wheeler 
aviation... 
marine...