674 FXUS66 KPQR 150312 AAA AFDPQR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Portland OR 815 PM PDT Thu Mar 14 2019 Evening update for aviation. .SYNOPSIS...A ridge of high pressure will hang on over the Pacific Northwest for much of the coming week. A few weak weather systems will try to push across the ridge at times, but the impact of these systems will be minimal, so a mostly dry week with temperatures above normal can be expected. && .SHORT TERM...Tonight through Sunday...A weak upper trough off the coast early Thursday afternoon will move east across the region tonight, crossing through the upper ridge that built in along the coast last night. There is not a lot of dynamics or deep moisture associated with the wave, so will keep pops below mentionable levels overnight, with mainly mid and high clouds moving across. Models seem insistent in keeping a new longwave ridge over the region over the next few days, although another weak shortwave is expected late Saturday and Saturday night. Model time height cross sections show this wave also relatively dry, so will keep a dry forecast through the weekend. Temperatures under the otherwise strengthening upper ridge will tend to run a little warmer than normal, with Saturday likely the coolest day due to high clouds associated with the shortwave moving in. Surface high pressure will remain centered east of the Cascades, bringing a dry low level offshore flow and breezy conditions to the west end of the Gorge. .LONG TERM...Sunday night through Thursday...Models in good agreement showing the upper ridge over the region hanging on until mid week, before a Pacific trough begins to push in and undercut the high. This will keep dry and mild weather in the forecast through the early part of the week, but beginning Tuesday night and Wednesday low pops will begin to creep northward as the upper low digs into California and opens up a southerly flow aloft. && .AVIATION...No big changes in overall forecasts. Considerable mid and high clouds over region tonight. But, these clouds will gradually thin later tonight. Will see patchy fog later tonight into Fri am, from 10Z to 16Z. But it will be rather patchy and shallow, primarily in/near coastal bays, coast mtns valleys, and near larger rivers and lakes of interior lowlands. VFR under mostly clear skies on Fri, with light north to northeasterly winds. KPDX AND APPROACHES...Mid and high clouds tonight, but these will gradually thin and clear out later tonight into Fri. So, VFR tonight through Fri. Light east winds tonight, which will ease overnight, then north to northeast winds up to 10 kt on Fri. Rockey. && .MARINE...Weak high pressure over the waters will keep fairly benign winds over the waters through the end of the week. A decaying front will approach tonight with south winds increasing to 10 to 15 kt. Another weak front may brush the waters over the weekend. Overall, marine weather will remain good for March through the weekend and early part of next week. Wave model guidance seems to have caught up with what has been observed today. Schneider && .PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OR...None. WA...None. PZ...None. && $$ Interact with us via social media: www.facebook.com/NWSPortland www.twitter.com/NWSPortland This discussion is for Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington from the Cascade crest to 60 nautical miles offshore. This area is commonly referred to as the forecast area.