Written by Sig Silber

HEADLINES (Updated 5:17 pm EDT) –

– Widespread life threatening flooding likely from the northeastern Gulf coast, across portions of the Southeast and Southern Appalachians as Sally moves slowly northeastward

– Frosts and freezes likely across the Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Great Lakes Thursday and Friday mornings, while below average temperatures spread across areas to the east of the Mississippi River by late week and the weekend. Above average temperatures to continue from the Great Basin/Rockies into the High Plains

– Poor air quality will continue across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies and portions of Central California

– Cooler air moving into the Pacific Northwest and Northern to Central California over the next two days along with much needed rains over western portions of Washington State and Oregon late Thursday into Friday

This article provides continuous updates for a variety of Weather and Weather-Related Threats as well as a general weather forecast. These are “Live” maps that continually update. Please pay attention to the Mesoscale Events maps — Mesoscale Events are potentially life-threatening situations.

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For those interested in longer-term forecasts, we just published the new NOAA Seasonal Outlook and it can be accessed here.

Short Range Focal Points

Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD – 343 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
Valid 00Z Thu Sep 17 2020 – 00Z Sat Sep 19 2020
…Widespread life threatening flooding likely from the northeastern Gulf coast, across portions of the Southeast and Southern Appalachians as Sally moves slowly northeastward…
…Frosts and freezes likely across the Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Great Lakes Thursday and Friday mornings, while below average temperatures spread across areas to the east of the Mississippi River by late week and the weekend. Above average temperatures to continue from the Great Basin/Rockies into the High Plains.…
…Poor air quality will continue across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies and portions of Central California…
…Cooler air moving into the Pacific Northwest and Northern to Central California over the next two days along with much needed rains over western portions of Washington State and Oregon late Thursday into Friday…
Sally will be moving very slowly northeast tonight into early Thursday across southeast Alabama, through north central Georgia during the day Thursday and into central South Carolina by early Friday. While the wind speeds associated with Sally are expected to continue to diminish as it pushes inland, the slow movement of Sally will continue the threat widespread life threatening flooding from the northeast Gulf Coast, across portions of the Southeast and the Southern Appalachians. For areas from far southern Alabama into the Florida Panhandle, storm total rainfall amounts of 12 to 24 inches are likely with isolated maximum totals over 30 inches possible. These rainfall totals will produce historic flooding for these regions. Farther inland, rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches with isolated maximum of 12 inches are possible across portions of the Southeast and Southern Appalachians, with widespread life threatening flooding likely. In addition, severe weather is possible on the southeast of the storm from North Florida and across the eastern portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina where tornadoes and high winds are possible.
The last rains associated with Sally will be pushed off the Southeast coast Friday night into early Saturday by a strong cold front. This cold front will bring below average temperatures to areas east of the Mississippi river Friday into this weekend. Frosts and freezes are likely both Thursday and Friday morning over the Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Great Lakes and from northern New York State into northern New England on Friday.
Cooler weather is also on tap for the Pacific Northwest into Northern and Central California over the next two days. While temperatures drop, hazardous air quality from on going fires will continue. There is potential, however, for some much needed rains to move into western portions of Washington State and western Oregon late Thursday into Friday.
In between the cooler temperatures along the west coast and over the East, above average temperatures expected to continue through the Rockies, Great Basin and across the Northern to Central High Plains over the next two days.

We try to keep this up to date but if is not you can find the updated version here.

When you click on this image it takes you to the SPC Fire Warning Page and you get a set of maps for Days 1, 2, 3 – 8, etc. You can then click on those for more detailed information. The map is a bit blurry as I tried to make it a bit larger than the map provided by NOAA but should be able to see where the current wildfire risks are. But if you click on this map, you will get to see three maps that show the risk for different time periods.

Or for the Day 2 Fire Outlook click here. For the Day 3 – 8 Fire Outlook click here.

Thunderstorm Risk

This should play out something like shown in this 60 Hour Forecast Animation

Here is a national animation of weather fronts and precipitation forecasts with four 6-hour projections of the conditions that will apply covering the next 24 hours and a second day of two 12-hour projections the second of which is the forecast for 48 hours out and to the extent it applies for 12 hours, this animation is intended to provide coverage out to 60 hours. Beyond 60 hours, additional maps are available at links provided below. The explanation for the coding used in these maps, i.e. the full legend, can be found here although it includes some symbols that are no longer shown in the graphic because they are implemented by color-coding.

The two maps below break it down by day and may be easier to read.

Now, the Day One and Two CONUS Forecasts: These Maps Update Daily.

Day One CONUS Forecast	Day Two CONUS Forecast

These graphics update and can be clicked on to enlarge. You can see where the weather will be

During the winter much of our weather originates in the Pacific. That is why we pay attention to the near-term history of storms arriving.

Temperature

A version that shows a 20 hour animation and some other views can be found here OR SIMPLY CLICK ON THE IMAGE.

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Day 3 – 7 Hazards

Hazards:
– Heavy rain across portions of the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Great Basin, Wed, Sep 23.
– Heavy rain across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Southern Plains, Sat-Wed, Sep 19-Sep 23.
– Flooding possible across portions of the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic, the Southern Appalachians, and the Tennessee Valley.
– Flooding likely across portions of the Southeast.
– Much above normal temperatures across portions of the Central Rockies and the Central/Northern Plains, Sat, Sep 19.
– Much below normal temperatures across portions of the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, the Mid-Atlantic, the Central Appalachians, and the Northeast, Sat-Mon, Sep 19-Sep 21.
– Much below normal temperatures across portions of the Great Lakes, Sat, Sep 19.
– Heavy precipitation across portions of mainland Alaska, Mon-Tue, Sep 21-Sep 22.
– Heavy precipitation across portions of the Alaska Panhandle and mainland Alaska, Tue-Wed, Sep
22-Sep 23.
– Heavy rain across portions of the Alaska Panhandle, Tue-Wed, Sep 22-Sep 23.
– High winds across portions of mainland Alaska, Mon-Tue, Sep 21-Sep 22.
– High winds across portions of the Alaska Panhandle, Tue, Sep 22.
Detailed Summary:
The medium range period (Saturday, Sep 19 – Wednesday, Sep 23) will feature an initially fairly amplified upper-level pattern, with a trough in the Great Lakes to Northeast. This upper trough and a cool Canadian surface high pressure system will cause fall-like below normal temperatures across those areas, shifting eastward through early next week. This could lead to the first frost or freeze in some areas of the Great Lakes region and interior Northeast, but mainly north of the major growing regions. Below normal temperatures extend southward all the way to the Southeast under the influence of the surface high. Given the placement of the high in the East and lower pressure offshore in the Atlantic (due to the remnants of Sally followed by Teddy moving northward), high wave heights are possible in the western Atlantic. Significant waves should remain offshore, but parts of the Atlantic coast may have the potential for beach erosion and rip currents through the first part of next week.
Meanwhile farther west, an upper-level ridge of high pressure is expected to shift from the Plains on Saturday toward the Great Lakes early next week, and above normal temperatures are forecast underneath it. Central/northern parts of the High Plains can expect temperatures nearing 90 on Saturday. Warmer than average temperatures should spread toward the Upper Mississippi Valley for the first half of next week, but temperatures in the 70s to mid-80s should not be hazardous. An upper-level trough is forecast to come in behind the ridge, helping cause modest rainfall particularly in the Northern Rockies over the weekend. Then, a potent upper low in the northeastern Pacific could bring heavy rain to northern portions of the Pacific Northwest by midweek.
Far south of the main jet stream, a tropical area of low pressure is expected to meander in the Bay of Campeche/western Gulf of Mexico over the next several days, and there are increasing probabilities from the National Hurricane Center that it should become a tropical cyclone. It is forecast to cause heavy rain especially over water, but potentially along the western and central Gulf Coast as well. Uncertainty remains with how much rain will fall along the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, but a heavy rain hazard area was introduced to cover the potential threat, and will be refined in future issuances.
After busy weather in the short range period, Alaska should have another round of active weather in the medium range. Showery conditions with locally modest rain totals are forecast for the Panhandle on Sunday as subtropical moisture is pulled into an initial frontal system. But the more notable weather will come from a large surface low pressure system that is forecast to move southeast from the Bering Sea Sunday across the Aleutians around Monday and through the Gulf of Alaska Tuesday and Wednesday. Gusty winds are possible over the Aleutians, but high winds may pose a greater threat across south-central Alaska, though it will depend on the exact low track. An area of high winds is also possible across southern coastal parts of the Panhandle on Tuesday. Another threat with this system will be heavy precipitation from the Alaska Peninsula toward the Kenai Peninsula for Monday/Tuesday, shifting eastward Tuesday/Wednesday. Snow could fall in the higher elevations. Precipitation should remain rain in the Panhandle, and heavy rain is forecast Tuesday into Wednesday.

(This is updated only during the week) Note the first list is weather highlights, this list is hazards. Not sure there is that much of a difference but they come from two different parts of NOAA. The Day 3 – 7 Hazards List does not update on weekends. But it is still useful as it remains valid for the period of time it covers. Of course, all forecasts are subject to change. Later we show a map of the hazards. Perhaps we should show them together.

Click here for the latest complete Day 3 -7 Hazards forecast which updates only on weekdays. It includes the full discussion which I do not update in this article but only present the highlights.

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Ski Snow Reports

New Feature – Ski Reports. (We may be a tad premature but not by much). It is difficult to find reports that auto-update on-screen (and they are very long) but these links will get you to them – If you have additional suggestions make them in the comments section after every GEI Article and we may add those links. We will try to not have too much overlap as that can add to the confusion.

We will update the above map weekly but more frequent updates can be obtained here.

Snow Forecasts.

Day 1

Day 2

Additional snow information can be found here and here.

During the summer we might add some drought information in this section.

New Seasonal Outlook Issued August 20, 2020

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Tropical Events

I am replacing the large with three small maps but you can click on them to get larger versions. Even though they are small maps you should be able to tell if there is activity and If I see activity I will make the map where there is activity full size and when available add other related maps.

the Central Pacific.	the Eastern Pacific	the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

And the Eastern Pacific

Updates on individual named storms can be obtained here.

And the Western Pacific

Weekly Tropical Forecast

This graphic updates on Tuesdays

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Intermediate-Term Weather Forecast

And shifting to the Alaska and CONUS Intermediate-Term Weather Forecast showing from left to right, Days 1- 5, 6 – 10, 8 – 14 and Weeks 3 – 4 You can click on these maps to have them enlarge, there are larger versions in the Addendum (More Weather the link is shown at the end of this section, and there are larger versions of these maps in the Addendum. Also, the discussions that go with these forecast maps can be found here (first two weeks) and here (Weeks 3 and 4).

First Temperature

And then Precipitation

For those interested in more detail, there are additional weather maps and information in the MORE WEATHER Addendum. The link to the Addendum is here.

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Mesoscale Events

The following map shows where mesoscale events are occurring or forecast. If you do not see any areas highlight on this map than there are no mesoscale events taking place or forecast. A mesoscale event is a very serious situation for a very small area and detailed information is provided for these events when they occur or are forecast. If a mesoscale event is shown, click on the map and more detail on the event will be shown.

Two different parts of the NWS issue this map and they are not always in agreement although they are pretty close. They (Norman Oklahoma and College Park Maryland) issue the alerts when they realize the need, so it is best to look on both maps and click one or both if you see areas highlighted.

This next map showing where “Headlines” have been issued for convection (and an animation of the recent movement of storms) should update and you should be able to click on to get additional details but if it does not update when you click on it, click here.

For the Day 2 Outlook click here. For Day 3, click here. For Days 4 – 8 click here. An explanation of the risk codes used can be found here.

There is a slight difference between convection and thunderstorms. The below map shows where “Headlines” have been issued for Thunderstorms. You should be able to click on the map to get additional details but if it does not update, you can click here.

The map below shows the current wildfire risk which becomes more significant as we move into Summer. When you click on this image it takes you to the SPC Fire Warning Page and you get a set of maps for Days 1, 2, 3 – 8, etc. You can then click on those for more detailed information. The map is a bit blurry as I tried to make it a bit larger than the map provided by NOAA but should be able to see where the current wildfire risks are. But if you click on this map, you will get to see three maps that show the risk for different time periods.

Or for the Day 2 Fire Outlook click here. For the Day 3 – 8 Fire Outlook click here.

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Now the Day 3 – 7 Hazards Outlook Maps

The orange and red outlined areas are what is most concerning of the forecasted Day 3 – 7 Hazards. This graphic does not update during the weekend. There is a discussion that goes with this graphic and you can access that discussion here.

The following is provided to help the reader relate the maps to how NWS will describe an area of the U.S.

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Now to our More Detailed Weather Report

This graphic is about Atmospheric Rivers i.e. thick concentrated movements of water moisture. More explanation on Atmospheric Rivers can be found by clicking here or if you want more theoretical information by clicking here. The idea is that we have now concluded that moisture often moves via narrow but deep channels in the atmosphere (especially when the source of the moisture is over water) rather than being very spread out. This raises the potential for extreme precipitation events.

In and of itself Atmospheric Rivers are not a definitive predictor of extreme weather but it shows where concentrated “rivers” of moist air are forecast to be impacting North America and that is part of the equation for severe weather.

This view provides a better view of the Northeast, the Antilles and also Europe.

500 MB Mid-Atmosphere View

The map below is the mid-atmosphere 3-Day chart rather than the surface highs and lows and weather features. In some cases, it provides a clearer less confusing picture as it shows only the major pressure gradients. This graphic auto-updates so when you look at it you will see NOAA’s latest thinking. The speed at which these troughs and ridges travel across the nation will determine the timing of weather impacts. This graphic auto-updates I think every six hours and it changes a lot. Thinking about clockwise movements around High-Pressure Systems and counterclockwise movements around Low-Pressure Systems provides a lot of information.

Day 3 Above, 6 Below	Day 4 Above,7 Below	Day 5 Above.

The above is the day by day projected pattern of highs and lows for Day 3 through 7. Earlier we show the pattern for Days 1 and 2.

Here are the precipitation forecasts. First the cumulative for Days 1 – 3

Then cumulative for Days 1 – 5

This represents five days of precipitation rather than three days as shown in the earlier graphic.

Then cumulative for Days 1 – 7

The areas that have cumulative seven-day precipitation increase. You can see where QPF is accumulating.

Now we look at the forecast for the Maximum Temperature three days out.

Looking ahead to next week.

Usually, nothing shows in this graphic for the following week as it is usually too far out to be forecasting severe weather. But this experimental graphic auto-updates. And further information is available here.

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Additional Tools to Obtain Watches and Warnings

Current watches, warnings, and advisories issued by the agencies of the National Weather Service. Hazards should show up in the various maps but the below links will take you to all outstanding watches and warnings in each category which may include some categories not covered in the various maps or difficult to find. So if there is a category of interest, click on the appropriate link below.

Winter Storm Warning
High Wind Warning
Storm Warning
Avalanche Warning
Coastal Flood Warning
Flood Warning
High Surf Warning
Flash Flood Watch
Gale Warning
Winter Weather Advisory
Flood Advisory
Coastal Flood Advisory
High Surf Advisory
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning
Dense Fog Advisory
Small Craft Advisory For Hazardous Seas
Small Craft Advisory For Rough Bar
Small Craft Advisory
Brisk Wind Advisory
Hazardous Seas Warning
Lake Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory
Rip Current Statement
Gale Watch
Winter Storm Watch
Flood Watch
High Wind Watch
Special Weather Statement
Air Quality Alert
Hydrologic Outlook

Below you will see a number of different maps that are updated in real-time, making this a “live” report. If a part of one or more of the maps shows an area that is highlighted, you can click on it and get the full current report. By having the reader click on these active situations rather than having GEI do so, you will not miss any events in which you might have an interest and which we had not noticed and the page will not get cluttered with warnings, etc that have since expired.

Our focus here is events that are likely to last in the range of six hours but there can be longer or shorter events that are addressed by the Storm Prediction Center which is the main source of the information in this article. Long-term major events like a Hurricane are more likely to be in a separate article. But that may not always be the case. Since in general, all the links on this page transfer you into the NOAA system, in order to get back into this article you need to either close the tab to which you were transferred or click back on the tab that has this article.

Convective Outlooks
Live Warning Maps which If Severe Weather is Shown can be Clicked on to get more detail about these events. If there is a current warning shown on the map, click on the map for additional information related to the event.	These maps are updated as risks are identified.
This is the current graphic showing any mesoscale discussions (MD’s) which are in effect over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the purpose of our MD’s for further information. Details on all valid MD’s may be found on our Current Mesoscale Discussions page.
This is today’s forecast for organized severe thunderstorms over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the risk categories for further information. You may find the latest Day 1 Outlook available as well as all Outlooks issued today online.	Today’s Outlook

This is tomorrow’s forecast for organized severe thunderstorms over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the risk categories for further information. The latest Day 2 Outlook is available as well as all Outlooks that have been issued today.	Tomorrow’s Outlook

This is the day after tomorrow’s (day 3) forecast for organized severe thunderstorms over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the risk categories for further information. The latest Day 3 Outlook is available as well as all Outlooks that have been issued today.	Day 3 Outlook

This is the day 4-8 forecast for organized severe thunderstorms over the contiguous United States. The latest Day 4-8 Outlook is available as well as all Outlooks that have been issued today. Note: A severe weather area depicted in the Day 4-8 period indicates a 30% or higher probability for severe thunderstorms (e.g. a 30% chance that a severe thunderstorm will occur within 25 miles of any point).	Day 4-8 Outlook

The Thunderstorm Outlooks depict the probability of thunderstorms across the contiguous United States in 4 or 8 hour time periods. The probabilistic forecast directly expresses the best estimate of a thunderstorm occurring within 12 miles of a point. The three probabilistic forecast thresholds are 10, 40, and 70 percent.	Thunderstorm Outlook

Fire Weather Outlooks
This is today’s forecast for organized wildfires over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the risk categories for further information about this product.	Today’s Outlook

This is tomorrow’s forecast for organized wildfires over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the risk categories for further information about this product.	Tomorrow’s Outlook

This is day 3-8 forecast for organized wildfires over the contiguous United States. Please read the description of the risk categories for further information about this product.	Day 3-8 Outlook