458 FXUS64 KLCH 241725 AFDLCH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 1125 AM CST Thu Dec 24 2020 .DISCUSSION... For 12/24/2020 18Z TAF Issuance && .AVIATION... Cloud deck has now cleared all terminals this morning, leaving gusty winds as the only real issue. Observations in general are showing sustained winds around 15 to 20 kts with gusts to around 30 kts. Tight pressure gradient behind the front will result in continued gusty northwest winds through the day today, with winds beginning to relax some by this evening. Winds continue to become a little lighter overnight and acquire a more predominately westerly component. After sunrise, winds begin to shift back a bit more northwesterly and pick up a bit, though will be much more tame than today in terms of magnitude. VFR VIS/CIGS will prevail through the TAF period. 50 && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 935 AM CST Thu Dec 24 2020/ UPDATE... Winds remain gusty across the northern areas. Therefore...will add Wind Advisory for areas north of the I-10 corridor to expire at 3 pm. Skies continue to clear and on track. Temperatures look a degree or two warm on the forecast today but skies will be clear during max winter heating so perhaps will eek out forecast highs. No changes to temperatures. PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 301 AM CST Thu Dec 24 2020/ DISCUSSION... Short Term (Today through Friday)...Main forecast issue will be winds today and temperatures tonight. Rain was diminishing over south central Louisiana and cold front has quickly moved through the forecast area. Windy conditions have been observed behind the front with winds reaching the 20-30 mph across the area...with even higher gusts near the coast. For now, will not make any changes to wind hazards with Wind Advisory containing along I10 corridor for today...and expiring further north at 12Z. There may some gusts in the 20-25 mph over northern parts of forecast area...but trend should be for winds to diminish especially during the afternoon. Good cold advection is taking place and this will keep temperatures from rising today. The cold air mass will allow for a light freeze tonight. Dry weather is anticipated for Christmas Day with a warming trend beginning. Long Term (Friday night through Thursday) High pressure will slowly shift to the southeast U.S. through Saturday and a cold front will approach late in the weekend. GFS and ECMWF both tend to keep front north of the forecast area. Hence, dry weather and above normal temperatures are expected through Sunday...and perhaps Monday. Rain chances will increase more significantly ahead of the another cold front on Tuesday and will remain high through Wednesday night. MARINE...Marine hazards will remain unchanged as well. Lower than normal tides and moderate to strong offshore flow will keep the low water advisory and gale warnings in effect for today. Winds will diminish tonight as high pressure builds over the region. Onshore flow will return on Saturday and will further strengthen early next week as low pressure organizes over the southern Rockies. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AEX 46 29 52 30 / 0 0 0 0 LCH 50 33 57 36 / 10 0 0 0 LFT 48 33 54 34 / 10 0 0 0 BPT 51 33 60 40 / 0 0 0 0 && .LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...Wind Advisory until 3 PM CST this afternoon for LAZ027>033- 041>045-052>055-073-074. TX...Wind Advisory until 3 PM CST this afternoon for TXZ180-201-215- 216-259>262. GM...Small Craft Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Friday for GMZ450-452-455-470-472-475. Gale Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for GMZ450-452-455-470- 472-475. Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for GMZ430-432- 435. && $$ AVIATION...50