Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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711 FXUS63 KFSD 191747 AFDFSD Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 1147 AM CST Wed Nov 19 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Persistent clouds keep temperatures in the 40s east of I-29 today, while partial clearing west allows warming into the 50s to lower 60s. - Dry weather will prevail through the upcoming weekend, with only low (<20%) chances of rain by the end of this forecast period on Tuesday. - Temperatures will fluctuate slightly through early next week, but readings remain above to well above normal. Sharply colder air may arrive as we head into the Thanksgiving travel period. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 310 AM CST Wed Nov 19 2025 TODAY: Widespread stratus blankets the area early this Wednesday morning, with areas of fog developing across northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. With pockets of dense fog indicated by AWOS obs and web cams, have issued a Special Weather Statement for now. If dense fog becomes more widespread, a Dense Fog Advisory may become necessary. While visibility is expected to slowly improve after 8-9 AM, south-southeast boundary layer flow ahead of a warm front will likely keep the stratus locked in for much of the day east of I-29. Similar to yesterday, this could have a negative impact on our warming potential and have adjusted highs a few degrees cooler in our east today. In contrast, expect to see at least partial clearing from the west for areas along/west of the James River, and the warmer NBM highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s look good for those areas. TONIGHT-FRIDAY: Today`s warming will be short-lived as a cool front slides across the area tonight, followed by Canadian high pressure settling into the northern Plains through Friday. This will keep highs mainly in the mid 40s to lower 50s through the end of the work week, but will also keep our area dry as a storm system slides east across the central Plains. SATURDAY-SUNDAY: The weekend will be dominated by warm zonal flow across the northern CONUS as a strong storm system develops over the southwest US and tracks east into the southern Rockies. Low level thermal profiles show 925mb temperatures of 10-15C working into parts of the forecast area Saturday, with westerly flow which would support high temperatures in the 60s in some locations. NBM currently holding shy of 60F, but does show the potential in its warmer members with 30-50% probability of highs topping 60F through the Missouri River Valley. A little broader spectrum of solutions by Sunday but still low probabilities of 60F degree readings in our far south. MONDAY-TUESDAY: Will have to watch trends on the aforementioned southwest CONUS storm system as it moves into the Plains early next week, along with a weaker northern stream wave which could dip into the northern Plains. Current projections keep our area between these split flow system with dry conditions continuing for Monday-Tuesday. However, changes in the track of either system could bring some light precipitation chances our way. We will start off the holiday week with temperatures remaining above normal (highs in the 40s and 50s). Looking beyond this forecast period, there is decent consensus in the global ensembles showing a sharp change toward below normal temperatures barreling into the region by the middle of next week. Precipitation chances for the start of the holiday travel period are more uncertain at this range, though current consensus keeps the local area in a relative minimum compared to locations to areas northeast of I-94 and south of I-80. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1147 AM CST Wed Nov 19 2025 An IFR to MVFR stratus deck continues to reside mainly along and east of I-29 to start the period, with some additional stratus building in just west of the main deck. This will be stubborn to clear out, but should lift above 2000 ft in the mid-afternoon and scatter out at the TAF sites around sunset. The return to VFR conditions will be relatively short-lived though as additional stratus settles in overnight behind a passing cold front, moving in from northwest to southeast across the area. This will bring the return of MVFR CIGs to KHON and sub-2000 ft CIGS to KFSD and KSUX late tonight/early tomorrow morning, which all looks to continue through the end of the period. Can`t rule out some patchy fog tonight after the initial stratus scatters out, but confidence was not high enough to include in the TAFs at this time. Also can`t rule out some patchy sprinkles/drizzle with any low clouds through the period, but once again not high enough of a chance to include in the TAFs. Southerly winds gusting up to 20 kts at times will diminish tonight and gradually turn to the northwest as a cold front moves across the area. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...JH AVIATION...Samet