Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Dodge City, KS
Issued by NWS Dodge City, KS
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532 FXUS63 KDDC 021605 AFDDDC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Dodge City KS 1005 AM CST Tue Dec 2 2025 ...Updated Aviation/Key Messages... .KEY MESSAGES... - Dry weather will prevail for most of southwest Kansas for the next 7-10 days, through at least December 11th. - Temperatures return to early December normals Tuesday afternoon. - Windy and much colder, with low clouds behind a strong cold front Wednesday. - Scattered snow flurries Wednesday night, especially west of Dodge City. Minor snow accumulations possible near the Colorado border, with little impact expected. - A series of dry cold front passages will continue this weekend and early next week, with temperature and wind flucuations. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 234 AM CST Tue Dec 2 2025 As the storm system from yesterday has exited, along with the associated positively tilted trough, a long stretch of quiet weather is expected across SW Kansas. Tuesday will see weak ridging providing mostly clear skies, lighter winds (<15 mph), and warmer temperatures (up into the 50s). While the area is enjoying pleasant December weather Tuesday, ensembles have another positively tilted trough developing and digging across the Pacific northwest. Ensembles have the trough weakening out, but not before returning snow chances back into Kansas, this time along the farthest western counties. Areas along the KS/CO border have a 30% chance to see at least 0.1" inches of snow Wednesday. The best chances are around the timeframe of around 10 AM to 10 PM CST. Models only have precipitable water values of 0.5". Additionally, the HRRR and some ensemble members have the leading edge falling as rain. After a warm Tuesday, Wednesday temperatures are not expected to be cold enough for freezing rain to occur. However the biggest risk with this marginal event would be if rain or melting snow falls first with snow falling on top. This could result in spot of ice hidden by snow that may make people slip and cars slide. Otherwise, snow accumulations are expected to be relatively minimal due to the positioning of the system and the lack of moisture. Ensemble means struggle to reach 0.5" and not even the 75th percentile gets to an inch. Unless there is a forecast change, only far western Kansas will see snowflakes and only areas near the KS/CO border will see meaningful accumulations. The system brings colder winds with it with highs only in the upper 30s. This is expected to be the coolest highs all week. After Wednesday, ensembles have the synoptic flow returning to a primarily zonal regime. No significant (>5%) precipitation chances for the rest of the week and beyond. Temperatures will be mild and seasonal that SW Kansas can typical expect in December. Relative humidities will be high enough and after Wednesday winds will be fairly light. This will keep fire weather risks at a minimum. As a result it is expected that the 3-7 day, and potentially beyond, will be quiet and without a headline. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1005 AM CST Tue Dec 2 2025 VFR is expected to continue through 12z Wed. Increasing south winds after 18z Tue, with gusts 20-25 kts. Winds will trend light and variable for a few hours this evening, with increasing cirrus. Next cold front is expected to clear all airports by 12z Wed, with a sharp increase in north winds, gusting 25-30 kts. Strong northeast winds will continue Wednesday morning, gusting 30-32 kts. High confidence that flight categories will degrade after frontal passage, with consensus of short term models forecasting IFR/LIFR stratus at DDC/GCK/HYS by 15z Wed, MVFR at LBL. && .DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...KBJ AVIATION...Turner