Quantitative Precipitation Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
311 AM EDT Sat May 19 2018


Prelim Day 1 QPF Discussion
Valid May 19/1200 UTC thru May 20/1200 UTC
Reference AWIPS Graphics under...Precip Accum - 24hr


Day 1...

...Eastern U.S...

Will be another wet day across much of the east, although the
pattern will finally begin to progress today. The broad mid/upper
level trough will finally begin pushing off to the northeast,
which will push increased moisture into the northeast and push the
Mid Atlantic front north as well. Thus anticipate showers will
overspread the northeast with time, and generally become less
focused over the Mid Atlantic. Given weak to no instability, not
anticipating rainfall rates will be all that high today from the
northern Mid Atlantic into the Northeast.

Will need to continue to monitor portions of eastern SC and NC
through the day for the potential of an axis of heavier rainfall.
An axis of near 2" PWATs is expected to focus across this area for
an extended period of time, with at least weakly convergent flow
in the lower levels. Also appears like one or more weak shortwaves
will push north in the southerly flow, locally enhancing lift and
low level moisture transport. Not expecting convection to be too
organized, and instability is not all that great. However, the
persistent convergence axis, higher PWATs and mean flow does
support the potential for a period of south to north moving repeat
cells capable of producing briefly heavy rates. The 0z HREF shows
moderate to high probabilities of exceeding 3" across portions of
the area, and so think the setup suggests at least a localized
flash flood threat.

The shortwave that has only slowly been progressing east across
the MS Valley into the OH valley over the last few days will pick
up a bit more speed off to the northeast today. Anticipate another
day of ample instability and moisture ahead of this wave and
trough axis for more scattered to widespread diurnally driven
convection. Main focus will be across the OH Valley into the
western Mid Atlantic. Mean flow is greater today, thus anticipate
storms will be more progressive than we have seen the past few
days. Thus in general would expect rainfall magnitudes to be
lower, although with continued high PWATs, briefly intense rates
are still likely. Normally this setup would probably not be too
much of a flash flood threat, however where recent rainfall is
saturating soils and lowering FFG, this rain may cause additional
flash flood concerns. Biggest threat appears to be across portions
of southeast WV south into northwest NC, where some signal this
convection today could briefly hang up and/or repeat near the
terrain resulting in localized heavier amounts. Given antecedent
rainfall here, and the possibility of intense rates with this
activity, additional flash flooding is possible.

Another wet day across Florida as well. PWATs and 850 mb moisture
transport should both be higher today than previous days,
potentially resulting in a wetter overall day. Activity should
initially focus along the west coast sea breeze boundary, before
potentially shifting to the east coast overnight. Most of the 0z
high res guidance is quiet wet over eastern FL with this overnight
activity. The potential is certainly there for these heavier
totals given the increased southeasterly flow, strong convergence
signature and near climatological record PWATs. Appears like the
high res models are hinting at a subtle wave riding north,
interacting with these favorable parameters and producing a period
of south to north training. Tough to say for sure if this will
materialize, but certainly something to watch, as given wet
antecedent conditions, a greater flood threat could exist.


...Central U.S...

Another active convective day expected for portions of the Central
and Southern Plains into the Mid MS Valley. By this afternoon the
surface setup should feature a cold front extending from the
Southern Plains into the Mid and Upper MS Valley, and a dryline
across western TX. The mid/upper levels will remain broadly
divergent and generally uncapped. Thus by afternoon will see an
uptick in convection along both these boundaries. PWAT values will
remain high enough to support heavy rains. Thus any flash flood
threat will come down to if and where convection is able to train
and or repeat for a period. The general consensus is that the
first area to convect will be along the front across OK/KS this
afternoon. This activity should move northeast along the front for
a period, but then should advect eastward into the very unstable
airmass forecast over MO. The orientation of propagation vectors
relative to the instability gradient does support the potential
for a period of west to east training of convection across this
area. Also, should see storms form further northeast along the
front from southeast NE into southern IA. Some training along this
front is also possible. Seems most likely that one of these two
areas will see the larger convective cluster and better training
potential, probably not both. Uncertainty on exactly which one
becomes most dominant, with the ARW/NMMB favoring the further
north area over IA, and the NSSl WRF and Experimental HRRR more
over MO. Confidence is low, although did lean a bit more towards
the solutions over MO, with ongoing convection this morning
possibly acting to displace the effective boundary a bit further
southeast.

Higher confidence in what evolves over TX/OK...with widespread
development appearing likely along/east of the dryline. Would
appear like there is a window of potential training near the
intersection of the cold front and dryline from north central TX
into southern OK. This is depicted by a good amount of the 0z high
res guidance, and given the orientation of the fronts at play and
increasing 850 mb moisture transport, it seems plausible.
Eventually would anticipate any complex to become more progressive
off to the south into the instability pool. Generally preferred
leaning towards the more aggressive QPF solutions here, with the
0z Experimental HRRR seeming pretty good (although it likely does
not develop convection far enough south along the dryline).

Chenard