402
FXUS61 KBTV 190711
AFDBTV
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Burlington VT
211 AM EST Fri Dec 19 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
A powerful storm system will produce very gusty winds, warm
temperatures and a line of heavy rainfall today across our
region. A High Wind Warning and Wind Advisory have been issued
for the entire area with gusts 45 to 60 mph expected, especially
between late this morning into early this afternoon. Scattered
to widespread power outages are possible. Temperatures will warm
into the 50s today, before dropping back into the 20s and 30s
by tonight. Cooler temperatures with chances of snow showers
prevail for most of the upcoming weekend.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 124 AM EST Friday...
*High Wind Warning has been issued for Franklin County in New
York and for the western slopes of the Green Mountains in
Vermont until 18Z Friday for Gusts up to 60 mph and the
potential for scattered to widespread power outages.
*Wind advisory has been expanded to include our entire forecast
area and extended in time until 18z Friday for wind gusts 45
to 55 mph and the potential for isolated to scattered power
outages.
Hi res model trends, and soundings continue to suggest winds on
the higher side of the forecast based on 00Z guidance.
Light rain and virga have begun to push into the region, mainly
along the St. Lawrence Valley as a warm front lifts to the
north. Sfc analysis shows a 983mb surface low centered over
northeastern Ontario with a triple point analyzed over Lake
Erie. A secondary area of low pressure associated with a
shortwave is somewhat forming over the Carolinas with cad over
the Appalachians. Deep moisture advection have pushed dewpoints
above freezing this morning leading to further snow melt at the
surface. In tandem, strong waa associated with a 80kt low level
jet has allowed temperatures to reach into the low to mid 40s.
Waa will continue through this morning ahead of a strong line of
showers associated with a cold front that is currently located
over Ohio.
In terms of the overall forecast, wind forecasts continue to be
tricky, but better agreement in the low end gust potential has
increased confidence in at least Wind Advisory criteria over
the whole area, with High Wind Warning criteria met in along the
spine of the Greens and in areas around Malone, NY. HRRR
soundings are the most aggressive with these stronger gusts with
mean layer boundary layer gusts as high as 70kts, even at BTV.
While these higher gusts in the Champlain Valley look unlikely
given the co-location of the gusts with the line of
precipitation, given the 2-4kft layer winds of 70-80kts, it
would not take much mixing to bring these higher gusts to the
surface through efficient momentum transfer. Given this
potential, current thinking is winds up to 55 mph outside of the
Warning areas with HREF probabilities of >50 mph around 80-90%.
Within the Warning area, HREF mean winds are concerningly near
60-65 mph, hence the upgrade to a Warning. The peak of the
winds will be between 8 AM and 1 PM with the passage of a strong
line of heavy rain associated with the cold front. The limiting
factor will continue to be the potential for a weak inversion
to set up at the surface which would reduce the magnitude of the
mixed higher winds. Winds will weaken slightly behind the cold
front as winds shift to the west.
Temperatures today will continue to be non-diurnal this morning
reaching maximums as high as the mid 50s in the CPV. HRRR/NAM
prog the arrival of the line of rain lagging by a few hours
which would allow for additional waa. As the cold front sweeps
from west to east, temperatures will fall rapidly with the onset
of strong west/northwest caa. Most of the region will fall to
below freezing this evening and into the teens overnight
tonight. While the temperature falls to freezing should be long
enough to reduce the potential of a flash freeze, any standing
water from rain or snow melt will certainly have the potential
to form black ice late this evening and overnight. Black ice
will form earlier for portions of northern New York which could
impact the Friday evening commute. Some snow showers will be
possible behind the cold front as temperatures fall below
freezing. A coating to a few inches is possible in the
Adirondacks and near Jay Peak. A brief lake effect band could
set up along the St. Lawrence-Hamilton-Herkimer county border
with some localized moderate snow and blowing snow at times as
snow ratios jump up to 15-20:1.
There is little change in our qpf thinking with 0.50 to 1.0"
across our area, strong wind fields will result in some
shadowing over the northern Dacks. This qpf, combined with snow
melt will result in modest in bank river rises, with a few
approaching action stage and bankfull.
As winds shift to the west, gusts will increase back towards
Wind Advisory levels this evening/overnight, especially in the
eastern facing slopes of the Adirondacks and eastern Greens.
Additional advisories may be needed if trends continue.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 124 AM EST Friday...Winds will slacken off Saturday
morning as our flow pattern relaxes and becomes more zonal. The
brief weather reprieve will be short lived as another broad
trough will sweep across the International Border Saturday into
Sunday. The center of the low looks to track a bit more north
which would reduce the overall precipitation chances, however,
convergence along a weak boundary should be enough to sustain
snow showers in the Adirondacks and northern Greens. Some
instability progged on the NAM could support some embedded snow
squalls, but moisture content will be the limiting factor for
any sustained deep layer moisture and steady rates. Temperatures
will be on the more mild side during the day Saturday and Sunday
morning with southerly flow. 850mb temperatures are progged to
be above freezing 0-3C. Waa will lead to non-diurnal
temperatures Saturday night ahead of the boundary on Sunday.
General PoPs 40-70% in the higher terrain and 20-40% in the
wider valleys. With the warming temperatures and southerly flow,
winds will be gusty once again on Sunday with 50kts over the St.
Lawrence and Champlain Valleys at 925mb.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 122 AM EST Friday...Sunday night into Monday, upslope snow
showers will likely continue with speed 850mb northwesterly flow and
cold advection. Temperatures will quickly sink into the teens and
single digits as cold air returns behind Sunday`s cold front. A
strong, 1030+mb surface high will enter, and pressure gradients will
tighten as a result. Gusts of 20 to 35 mph will be likely, as a
result. Orographic snow showers will taper heading into Monday,
but stiff northwesterly flow will keep temperatures from
getting out of the teens to mid 20s.
Monday night will be continue the cold weather, but with gradually
abating winds. The next system will approach Tuesday afternoon.
Although temperatures during the day will climb near to just above
freezing, we`ll likely remain all snow for precipitation. Our
weather pattern will feature us on the fringe of a very warm air
mass to our south and cool air off to our north. Small fluctuations
in the pattern could spell a wide range of scenarios. On a day-by-
day scale, these kind of weather patterns tend to have lower
predictability since systems move fast between stronger winds
between these sharp thermal gradients and the lack of amplification
means these smaller systems can be more difficult for global models
to resolve. It`ll certainly be active, with likely breezy conditions
and precipitation opportunities every other day or so.
&&
.AVIATION /07Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Through 06Z Saturday...Light rain is currently shifting northeast
towards the region. Maritime air is moving up the lower valleys of
eastern Vermont and bringing 1200 ft agl ceilings at KMPV, while
other terminals are VFR. Precipitation will likely have little
impact to visibility and ceiling until a fine line arrives that will
move west to east across our region between about 14z and 19z.
Ahead of that fine line, surface south to southeast winds will
increase towards at least 15 to 23 knots sustained with
prevailing gusts increasing to 28 to 38 knots. A peak gust above
40 knots is possible at all terminals, with lowest confidence
at KMSS. LLWS will also increase with winds at 2000 ft agl
increasing as high as 65 to 75 knots ahead of the fine line.
Precipitation may also cause reductions in surface winds at
times. Significant low-level turbulence and LLWS is expected,
especially with winds likely peaking higher at summit levels.
PROB30s have been used to highlight heavy rain associated with
the fine line as it crosses east. Behind it, a sharp wind shift
to the west or southwest will take place, and wind speeds will
relax some. Some lingering rain is likely behind, along with
more consistent MVFR ceilings, locally down to IFR possible.
Beyond 22z Friday, winds will increase again towards 10 to 20
knots with gusts 18 to 28 knots. Snow showers will develop, but
will highlight them later.
Outlook...
Saturday: VFR. Windy with gusts to 30 kt. NO SIG WX.
Saturday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Chance
SHSN.
Sunday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Chance SHSN.
Sunday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX.
Monday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX.
Monday Night: VFR. Slight chance SN.
Tuesday: VFR. Likely SN.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Sharp rises on streams and rivers are anticipated today and
tonight associated with warm temperatures, snow melt, and
moderate rainfall. Rainfall of 0.50 to 1.25 is expected with
snow melt adding another 0.75 to 1.25 inches into the river
basins. Given dewpoints will be above freezing today, efficient
snow melt will be likely. The rivers with greatest potential to
reach action stage, given expected rainfall and snow melt are
the Ausable, Mad, and Otter Creek at Center Rutland on Friday
afternoon and evening. Crests on the Mad and Ausable Rivers will
be Friday afternoon, and Otter Creek and the Winooski cresting
closer to Friday evening/early Saturday morning. Lastly, while
any river ice may move, the threat of ice jams remains low.
&&
.MARINE...
A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect for Lake Champlain through
tonight. Southerly winds ahead an approaching frontal system
will lead to channeling effects on Lake Champlain enhancing wind
and wave conditions. Winds on the broad lake will increase to
20 to 30 knots with gusts as high as 45 to 55 knots, becoming
strongest near midday. Waves will be generally 4 to 6 ft on the
broad lake and 2 to 4 on the northern and southern ice free
portions of the lake.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Incoming warmer air and precipitation is presently forecast to
approach daily record values. The most likely date for records
will be Friday December 19th for both daily high temperatures
and precipitation. Below are some of the daily records in
jeopardy of being broken (current forecast at or within 3
degrees of the record).
Record High Temperatures:
December 18:
KBTV: 49/1895
KMPV: 49/1949
KPBG: 49/1967
K1V4: 47/2023
Record Daily Precipitation:
December 18:
KBTV: 0.62/1912
KMPV: 0.35/1998
K1V4: 0.24/1998
KMSS: 0.43/1970
KPBG: 0.17/1970
KSLK: 0.70/1912
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
NOAA Weather Radio station WXM-44, transmitting from Mt.
Ascutney, Vermont, on frequency 162.475 MHz is non-operational
at this time. NWS technicians have diagnosed the problem, but
repairs will likely not be able to occur for quite some time due
to circumstances beyond our control. Therefore, the time of
return to service is currently unknown. The following NOAA
Weather Radio transmitters may be able to provide service during
this outage: WWG 50 from Burke Mtn, VT at 162.425 MHz and WNG
546 from Hanover, NH at 162.525 MHz.
Equipment malfunctions at the Colchester Reef meteorological
station will likely leave it inoperable for an extended period
of time. This site is not serviced by the NWS. Technicians do
not currently have an estimated return to service for this
station. Use extra caution when navigating the broad waters of
Lake Champlain, and please contact us if you observe winds
significantly deviating from the forecast.
&&
.BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VT...Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for VTZ001>005-
007>011-020-021.
High Wind Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for VTZ006-
016>019.
NY...Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for NYZ026-028-029-
031-034-035-087.
High Wind Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for NYZ027-030.
&&
$$
SYNOPSIS...Danzig
NEAR TERM...Danzig
SHORT TERM...Danzig
LONG TERM...Haynes
AVIATION...Haynes
HYDROLOGY...Taber
MARINE...Team BTV
CLIMATE...Team BTV
EQUIPMENT...Team BTV
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