NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/
Overall, no real wholesale changes to the forecast outside of temperatures, cloud cover, and the risk for patchy fog overnight into early Thursday morning. High pressure will continue to push off the New England coast tonight as Hurricane Francine lifts north from the central Louisiana Coast into the mid-Mississippi River Valley. A few high clouds from this system have been noted earlier this afternoon and evening although they are few and far between. Mostly clear skies are expected overnight with just a few passing high clouds streaming through. Winds will remain light to calm leading to some patchy fog in the typical river/sheltered valley locations across central VA and west of the Blue Ridge, and east of US- 15.Overnight lows will be in the 50s for most, with lower 60s in downtown DC/Baltimore.

For Thursday, expect an increase and mid and high level cirrus as Francine pushes further north into the mid-Mississippi River Valley and onshore easterly flow increases as strengthening high pressure wedges south down the eastern Appalachians. Have lowered temperatures by a degree or two compared to today with warmer readings along and north of I-66/US-50 and slightly cooler conditions further south where the cloud cover will be a bit more prevalent. Highs will range from the 60s and 70s over the mountains with low to mid 80s elsewhere across the region. Dry conditions will prevail with a continued increase in cloud cover heading into Thursday night.



SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/
High pressure will remain anchored off the New England Coast through Friday night with a ridge of high pressure continuing to extend southwestward from the high across the Mid-Atlantic.
Further to the west, the remnants of Francine are forecast by NHC to slowly move northward through the lower Mississippi River Valley, before its northward progress is eventually halted in the vicinity of the bootheel of MO by a strong blocking upper ridge to the north over the Great Lakes.

After a mostly sunny start Thursday, some high cirrus on the northeastern periphery of the system will begin to work into southwestern portions of the forecast area Thursday afternoon.
These cirrus clouds will eventually expand further northward Thursday night into the day Friday. Some lower clouds may also try to form within easterly low-level flow later Thursday night into Friday morning. Despite the increasing cloud cover, mainly dry conditions are expected to continue overall. Highs are forecast to be in the low 80s for most on both Thursday and Friday, with mid-upper 70s in the mountains. Overnight lows will generally be in the upper 50s and lower 60s as dewpoints start to increase slightly.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/
Surface high pressure centered over the Northeast will keep conditions dry and mild Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures each day will be in the upper 70s to low 80s with highest elevations staying in the 60s. Overnight low temperatures will be in the 50s to low 60s for most.

Precipitation chances return to the forecast area at the start of next week as guidance indicates a possible low developing off the coast of the Carolinas. High temperatures will be slightly cooler with highs in the 70s for most.

AVIATION /01Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/
VFR conditions are expected to continue through at least early Monday morning next week. Latest guidance (GLAMP, NAMNest, WRF-ARW, RAP and HRRR) continue to indicate the potential for MVFR to IFR fog in the typical sheltered/river valley locations between 07Z-13Z as moisture gradually increases on light easterly flow around high pressure off the New England coast. Highest confidence for fog will be at KCHO/KMRB with vsbys running 3-5SM. Slightly lower confidence for fog at KIAD and KBWI with vsbys noted in the TAF package between 5-6SM. Mid and high level clouds will increase Thursday into Friday with periods of mid level clouds and perhaps a few bouts of low clouds Friday into the weekend. Little to no precipitation is expected with a spotty shower/sprinkle south of KCHO/KSHD. Sub-VFR conditions will likely increase Monday Tuesday next week as an area of low pressure pushes north from the southeast U.S into the coastal Carolinas.

MARINE
Winds will generally remain light with increase easterly onshore flow Thursday sometime fluctuating between southeast and northeast Friday into Saturday.The gradient may strengthen enough to result in near SCA level gusts over the wider waters off southern MD at times Thursday night through Friday night, with a bit higher potential Saturday night into Sunday.

TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING
Light onshore flow will likely cause tidal anomalies to increase gradually over the next few days. This may bring sensitive sites like Annapolis and DC SW Waterfront close to minor flooding.

LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
DC...None.
MD...None.
VA...None.
WV...None.
MARINE...None.