Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
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963 FXUS63 KTOP 202339 AFDTOP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 639 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... -Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening. A few storms could be severe. -Another round of severe thunderstorms are expected to develop along a front in far eastern KS Tuesday afternoon. Storms may develop just east of the area. -An active pattern keeps POPs in the forecast later this week and during part of the holiday weekend. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 259 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 This afternoon, a weak surface boundary is sitting across western KS in between low pressure over western IA and near the TX panhandle. Light southerly winds in eastern KS have been advecting higher dew points into the area today and there have been a few showers and storms on radar at times. Isolated to widely scattered storms will remain possible this afternoon and this evening with some isentropic ascent over the area. Instability has increased to near 3000 J/kg in central and eastern KS, but shear remains on the weak side with fairly light winds at the surface and aloft. However, given the amount of instability, any storm that develops could produce damaging wind gusts and small hail. More widespread severe weather is expected north of the area, primarily in Nebraska near the surface front this evening and tonight. The aforementioned surface boundary will begin to move eastward through the forecast area tomorrow as a shortwave trough rides through the southwest flow aloft. Instability will remain high with a hot and humid air mass in place. However, soundings show a stout EML, which erodes in eastern KS just ahead of the boundary during the early afternoon hours. Convective initation is expected along the boundary as CIN diminishes somewhere in eastern KS or far western MO. Storms could quickly become severe with all modes of severe weather initially possible. Storms should then quickly push eastward. Most CAMs show development occurring just east of the CWA, but timing will have to be monitored closely. A surface ridge moves in on Wednesday, which should make for a nice spring day. Temps will be a little cooler with highs in the 70s. POPs begin to increase once again by Thursday with theta-e advection occurring while the ridge moves east and return flow sets up. Long range deterministic models show a surface boundary in or near the area for much of the extended forecast timeframe (Friday-Sunday). Southwest flow aloft looks to remain in place through much of the upcoming holiday weekend, so any subtle wave in the flow could trigger scattered storms, especially near a lingering surface boundary. Trends will be monitored each day for updates to chances and timing. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 634 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024 The broken to scattered stratus/stratocu should dissipate near and after sunset. There will continue to be periods of high clouds. Cumulus clouds may redevelop tomorrow afternoon with bases above 5000 feet. A LLJ will increase after 8z to 45 KTS from the south-southwest. If surface winds are under 10 KTS, then low-level windshear of 30 to 35 KTS will be possible from 8Z through 14Z. Once the PBL mixes deeper southerly winds will increase to 15 to 20 KTS with gusts of 25 to 30 KTS and that will extend through the afternoon hours. A wind shift will move through the terminals after 22Z TUE, shifting winds to the west then northwest. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Teefey AVIATION...Gargan