textproduct: Gray - Portland

WHAT HAS CHANGED

No significant changes to the going forecast this early Wednesday morning other to add more wind information for later Thursday into Friday.

KEY MESSAGES

1. High pressure remains in control of the weather pattern across northern New England through the weekend while an ocean storm passes offshore. Northerly gusts of 30 to 35 MPH possible later Thursday into Friday.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...

High pressure keeps northern New England dry through the end of the week and the weekend, while an offshore ocean storm brings some cloud cover into parts of the region this week.

An inversion around 925mb moves in aloft during the daytime today, keeping temps a bit cooler today. Additionally, high cloud cover spreads inland from the coastline as cirrus from the offshore storm moves northward.

Temps rise a few more degrees ahead of a weak front on Thursday, before falling back again on Friday. The ocean storm makes its closest pass Wednesday night and Thursday, before tracking near the Canadian Maritimes.

The pressure gradient between the offshore storm and high pressure building in from the northwest could cause gusty winds later Thursday into Friday morning. Current forecast soundings indicate that northerly gusts could top 30 to 35 MPH.

The broad high pressure center then drifts southward from the end of the week through the weekend. Centered south of New England, the high brings a moderating trend through the weekend and early next week, along with continued dry conditions. Highs return to the 60s by Sunday, with some low 70s possible by Monday next week. A weak cold front is possible by Tuesday next week, but at this point it looks mostly dry as well.

AVIATION /01Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

Today...VFR prevails. Northerly winds around 10 knots.

Outlook...

Thursday: Mostly VFR. Northwest winds may gust 20-30 kt.

Thursday night-Monday...VFR prevails. Northerly gusts up to 30 kt Thursday night into Friday morning.

MARINE

High pressure remains in control of the weather pattern across New England, while an ocean storm tracks outside the Gulf of Maine and through the Grand Banks through Friday. SCA winds in northeasterly flow last through at least Thursday, while waves likely persist into the weekend. Northerly gales are possible later Thursday into Friday as the low deepens east of the waters. Seas then gradually subside through the weekend as high pressure remains in control.

GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for ANZ150- 152-154. Gale Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for ANZ150-152-154-180-182-184.