textproduct: Raleigh

WHAT HAS CHANGED

As of 545 AM Tuesday...

* TAF Aviation discussion updated. * No significant changes from previous forecasts.

KEY MESSAGES

As of 135 AM Tuesday...

1) Breezy NNE wind and chilly this morning, diminishing breezes this afternoon. Periodic high cloudiness.

2) Turning very warm again late week. Next shower chance late week.

3) Windy and turning colder Saturday behind Friday's cold front. Frost/freeze conditions possible Sunday morning.

DISCUSSION

As of 135 AM Tuesday...

KEY MESSAGE 1... The surface winds will be gusty through around sunrise from the NNE at 10-20 mph. Winds will average 10-15 mph today decreasing to light easterly this afternoon. The apparent temperatures will be in the lower to mid 30s around the early morning commute, slowly moderating into the 40s and 50s late morning and afternoon.

Periodic mid/upper level cloudiness is expected again tonight. This should aid in keeping temperatures up a few degrees. However, winds will be light. Lows in the 30s expected, with some near freezing temperatures in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

KEY MESSAGE 2... After a couple of nights in the 30s early to mid week, the temperatures will rebound into the mid 70s to mid 80s for highs both Thursday and Friday as strong high pressure moves offshore. It will remain dry most of this week, with some chances of showers with the next front late in the week.

KEY MESSAGE 3... Another strong cold front will push through the region Friday. Behind the front late Friday, high pressure will move from the northern Plains east to over the Carolinas by Sunday morning. While doing so, look for an increased pressure gradient and windy conditions behind the front Friday night into early Saturday. The wind will diminish by late Saturday as the pressure gradient begins to relax. The other notable item will be the colder airmass that will move into the area. Highs Saturday could be as much as 30 degrees colder than the previous day (upper 50s to lower 60s Saturday). Sunday morning lows could fall to the mid 30s, which under clear skies and light wind, we could see some frost that morning as well.

AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

As of 545 AM Tuesday...

Gusty NNE breezes at 10-18kt will continue into the morning as high pressure builds in from the north. High pressure will settle overhead later this afternoon and night with winds becoming light east. VFR conditions expected through 12z/Wed with only periodic high cloudiness associated with disturbances aloft.

After 12Z Wednesday, VFR conditions will dominate through much of this week, although the chance for sub-VFR conditions with showers will increase late Fri as another cold front approaches from the N.

CLIMATE

Record High Temperatures:

March 27: KGSO: 86/1921 KRDU: 87/2007 KFAY: 87/1946

Record High Minimum Temperatures:

March 27: KGSO: 60/2007 KFAY: 65/1949

RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.