234
FXUS61 KBTV 081858
AFDBTV
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Burlington VT
258 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
As of 257 PM EDT Wednesday...
No significant changes made.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
As of 257 PM EDT Wednesday...
1. Near critical fire weather conditions expected for parts of
the area on Thursday due to gusty winds and low humidities.
2. Seasonable and mostly dry conditions are expected for the
weekend. Additional chances for rainfall are expected through early
next week with unseasonably warm temperatures.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
As of 257 PM EDT Wednesday...
KEY MESSAGE 1: The combination of low humidity, gusty winds, and
warm temperatures, along with areas of receptive fuels has
increased our fire weather concerns for Thursday. A Special
Weather Statement has been issued for near critical fire weather
conditions expected, after coordination with partners on fuel
conditions.
Mid/upper lvl ridge and associated 1036mb sfc high pres wl shift off
the New England Coast by 12z Thurs, as northern stream trof and weak
boundary approaches our western cwa on Thurs aftn. The pres
difference btwn 1004mb low pres and departing 1036mb high pres wl
strengthen the southerly winds acrs our region late tonight into
Thursday. Progged 925mb winds are in the 35 to 45 knot range with
strongest values over the SLV, while 850mb winds are slightly
stronger at 40 to 50 knots. As sfc heating occurs mixing heights
increase, allowing for better momentum transfer to the sfc,
resulting in localized gusts 25 to 35 mph, except near 40 mph
northern CPV and northern Dacks. Lighter winds are expected over
protected valleys of central/eastern VT, including parts of the NEK.
Meanwhile, sounding data shows extremely dry air near ridgetop with
progged dwpts well below 0C, mixing toward the sfc. This wl result
in critically dry humidity values in the 20 to 28% range on
Thursday, with driest conditions over the CPV/CT River Valley and
parts of northern NY. If more mixing occurs than expected humidities
could drop into the mid/upper teens in localized areas. Progged
925mb temps btwn 7-10C, support highs well into the 50s to mid 60s
in favorable south/southwest downslope areas.
Tonight is interesting with mid/upper lvl thermal belt with poor rh
recoveries possible in the 2500-4500 foot level. Sounding data shows
very dry air in this layer, with some increasing south/southwest
winds aloft, while valley locations decouple. This scenario is
nearly impossible to highlight in our grid world, but potential for
wide spread ranges in temps/humidity values are likely overnight
depending upon elevation/location. Lows range from near 10F NEK to
near 30F with some warming toward sunrise in the CPV and SLV.
First in a series of boundaries approach our region on Thurs night,
but given deep dry layer in place, feel most precip falls as virga,
especially with dampening s/w energy and dissipating 850 to 500mb rh
fields. Have chance pops mostly confined to northern NY and northern
VT mtns attm. Stronger boundary with much sharp thermal gradient
develops on Friday with deeper moisture advection progged acrs our
region. The probability of at least a wetting rainfall is btwn 70
and 90% per NBM on DESI. Have bumped pops accordingly into the 60-
80% range for now. Otherwise, with more clouds/precip temps wl be
cooler, except lower CT River Valley near VSF.
KEY MESSAGE 2: Behind a frontal system on Friday, more seasonable
temperatures will follow this system for the weekend with more dry
and seasonable conditions. Daytime highs will be in the mid to upper
40s with overnight lows in the 30s as high pressure builds in
Saturday. Saturday night will be the cooler of the two days as an
area of high pressure crests over the region. Saturday may be a bit
breezy, particularly in the eastern slopes of the Greens, as a LLJ
slides east with northwest flow. 925-850mb winds between 25-30 mph
could lead to some surface gusts up to 20-25 mph during the day
Saturday, but should quickly weaken into Saturday night with calming
winds and high pressure.
Temperatures will begin a warming trend heading into next week as
our flow becomes south dominant with our high sliding east. 925mb
temps will warm to 15-17C Monday and Tuesday, peaking Tuesday
afternoon. These warm upper air temperatures will support surface
highs in the mid to upper 60s, and perhaps near 70 degrees to start
next week. These warm temperatures will be accompanied by breezy to
gusty afternoon winds and shower chances as a boundary will be
draped across the northwest portions of the forecast area.
Shortwaves will ride along a positively-tilted long wave trough
across the Great Lakes leading to rounds of shower chances, mainly
across northern New York and extreme northwestern Vermont which
could inhibit the max heating during the afternoon hours. The
boundary in the recent model trends has shifted eastward denoting a
setup around the St. Lawrence Valley. Where this boundary sets up
and where the precipitation corridor is will have a large impact on
daytime temperatures both Monday and Tuesday. Locations across the
northern St. Lawrence Valley may only warm to the low to mid 60s,
with low to mid 70s in southern Vermont Monday, and perhaps nearing
80 across southern Vermont Tuesday with a closer boundary setup and
stronger waa. We will keep an eye on the trends in the days to come.
In addition to the temperatures and precipitation, a low level 850mb
jet between 50-60 MPH will also lead to breezy to gusty winds in the
south to north oriented valleys which typically accompanies these
seasonal warmups.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Through 18Z Thursday...VFR conditions are expected to prevail
throughout the forecast period as high pressure continues to build
into the region, bringing mostly clear skies. Winds will generally
be calm or terrain-influenced this morning, 5 knots or less,
increasing out of the south/southwest after 15Z or so, but
generally remaining under 10 knots for most terminals. Some LLWS
will be possible in the St. Lawrence Valley late in the
forecast period, impacting KMSS.
Outlook...
Thursday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.
Friday: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Likely SHRA.
Friday Night: Mainly MVFR, with local IFR possible. Slight chance
SHRA.
Saturday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX.
Saturday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX.
Sunday: VFR. NO SIG WX.
Sunday Night: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Chance SHRA.
Monday: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Chance SHRA.
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
The Colchester Reef meteorological station is out of service.
This site is not serviced by the NWS. An estimated return to
service is May 1st. Please contact us if you observe winds
significantly deviating from the recreational forecast.
&&
.BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VT...None.
NY...None.
&&
$$
WHAT HAS CHANGED...Taber
DISCUSSION...Danzig/Taber
AVIATION...Duell
EQUIPMENT...NWS BTV
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