Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

Home |  Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
318
FXUS63 KUNR 242102
AFDUNR

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
202 PM MST Mon Nov 24 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Cold front enters the region this evening, bringing light
  rain/snow chances and colder temperatures.

- Strong northwest winds expected behind the front through Tuesday
  afternoon.

- Cold continues through the holiday weekend, with more
  precipitation chances over the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Monday)
Issued at 111 PM MST Mon Nov 24 2025

Current Water Vapor and upper air models snow upper closed low
centered over Kansas, with more zonal flow over the Dakotas, and a
wave over western Montana this afternoon. Surface analysis shows
low over northwestern MT, with a frontal boundary stretching into
southern ID and OR, while high pressure sits over south central
SD. Winds are generally light out of the south to southeast this
afternoon, with temperatures in the upper 40s to mid 50s.

Upper wave and associated cold front moves into the northern
plains this evening, entering the CWA around 01-03Z. Following
frontal passage, strong northwest winds are expected, with NAM and
GFS both showing 3-5 mb/3hr press rises behind the boundary.
Shortly after FROPA we may see a decrease in winds in the early
overnight hours, however strong CAA and mixing Tuesday morning
will increase the winds again with gusts up to 65 mph possible for
areas of the western SD plains through Tuesday afternoon. Have
upgraded some areas of the High Wind Watch to a High Wind Warning
and wind advisory accordingly, effective until 00Z Wednesday.

While the bulk of moisture is expected more in North Dakota into
northeastern SD, parts of the forecast area can still expect to
see some light rain/snow this evening through Tuesday afternoon.
Any rain will quickly transition to snow as temperatures drop
behind the front. Any accumulations are generally expected between
a light flurry and under an inch. The exception will be the
northern Black Hills where higher elevations may see 1-3 inches.

Much cooler temperatures settle in following passage of this
system. Highs Tuesday through Friday day sit in the 30s to low
40s with mostly dry conditions after Tuesday afternoon. Attention
then turns to the potential weekend system that may impact the
area. Still no model consensus on the overall track/timing and
precipitation chances, however this system could have a more
significant impact on holiday travel as compared to tonights wave.
Regardless, expect even more colder temperatures over the weekend,
and monitor the forecast as we get a better model consensus on
any potential weather impacts.




&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Tuesday)
Issued At 111 PM MST Mon Nov 24 2025

VFR conditions are expected through the afternoon hours today.
After 01-03z tonight, a cold front will push through bringing
MVFR/IFR conditions in rain/snow and low clouds to the area,
particularly the northern Black Hills, NE WY, and NW SD. Winds
will shift northwesterly behind the front with gusts 30-45 knots
after 03-05z through Tuesday afternoon.


&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...High Wind Warning from 8 PM MST /9 PM CST/ this evening to 5 PM
     MST /6 PM CST/ Tuesday for SDZ001-012-013-031-032-043-044-
     046-047-049-072-073-077-078.
     Wind Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 5 PM MST Tuesday for
     SDZ002-014-025>027-030-041-042-074>076.
WY...None.
&&

$$

DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...Dye
AVIATION...Dye