Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
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104 FXUS63 KUNR 050457 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 957 PM MST Thu Dec 4 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Light snow returns tonight into Friday, with another chance on Saturday into Sunday. - Warmer and breezy conditions early next week. && .DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Thursday) Issued at 127 PM MST Thu Dec 4 2025 An upper air analysis shows northwest flow continues over the northern plains today, with a weak disturbance over eastern MT. Surface chart depicts low pressure over western SD, with warm frontal boundary now through the forecast area, towards central SD. Temperatures currently sit in the mid 30s to low 40s, with light to breezy westerly winds. Clouds will increase this evening ahead of the next wave as it drops down from eastern MT. Light precipitation arrives tonight, late enough that it should remain as snow. Expect little to no accumulations with this wave, however upslope over the northern Black Hills will bring minor accumulations of 1-3 inches. Light precipitation will taper off Friday morning, with dry conditions expected the latter half of the day, and similar temperatures to today. Another disturbance moves in late Friday and associated cold front will drop down from MT/SD. Expect a slight decrease in temperatures for Saturday, and another chance for light precipitation during the day into Sunday morning. Some areas in the western SD plains could see 1-2 inches, with the higher elevation Black Hills perhaps seeing slightly higher amounts. Unsettled pattern will bring more chances for light precipitation early next week, however low-level warmer air moving in will bring mild (but breezy) days for Monday and Tuesday, with highs for some areas climbing into the 50s. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS Through 06Z Friday Night) Issued At 946 PM MST Thu Dec 4 2025 MVFR/IFR conditions and areas of -SN will develop across northeastern WY into northwestern SD and the northern Black Hills through early this morning. Conditions should improve through the day, though MVFR conditions may linger across northwestern SD through late in the TAF period. Northwest winds will also pick up through the overnight hours into the morning especially across northwestern SD where gusts of up to 37 kt are possible. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...Dye AVIATION...Wong