Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

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663
FXUS63 KUNR 161950
AFDUNR

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
150 PM MDT Thu Oct 16 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Storms and showers linger into this evening for some areas.

- Cold front will bring another shot for precipitation early
  Thursday.

- Active pattern continues through early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Thursday)
Issued at 128 PM MDT Thu Oct 16 2025


Current upper air models and Water Vapor show upper ridge axis
east of the forecast area towards the Great Lakes region, while
upper low sits over Wyoming. Surface low currently sits over
central SD with a frontal boundary running down into central
Nebraska. Radar currently shows two areas of precipitation;
showers over the deformation zone eastern MT/WY into northwestern
SD, and a line of showers/storms in south central SD near the
frontal boundary. Temperatures currently sit in the 50s for most
places, 40s in the Black Hills.

Precipitation will linger into this evening as the upper low
swings up into ND tonight. Following passage of this system,
forecast area will briefly be in dry zonal flow, with a short-
lived warmer Friday, as highs jump into the 60s for most places.
Late Friday into Saturday morning a clipper system swings down
from the northwest, bringing cooler temperatures back in as well
as some light precipitation chances Friday night into Saturday
morning. Some light snow may also be possible in the higher
elevation Black Hills areas Saturday morning. Breezy northwest
winds are expected behind the clipper, with NAM showing 3-4mb/3hr
pressure rises during the day Saturday. Low end advisory winds may
be possible.

Mild ridging builds over the region on Sunday, once again bringing
warmer temperatures and dry conditions. Sunday will be the likely
be the "warmest" day of the forecast period, with highs in the
upper 60s and low 70s for most areas. Unsettled weather returns
Monday as an upper trough slides across southern Canada and see
temperatures dropping once again, along with increased
precipitation chances.


&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Friday)
Issued At 1033 AM MDT Thu Oct 16 2025

Widespread IFR/MVFR conditions will continue for much of the day,
with scattered -shra/tsra found across northeast WY/northwest SD.
The precipitation will lift into ND through the day, with some
clearing pushing north from SW SD into the southern Black Hills
this afternoon. More widespread VFR conditions will overspread the
region later tonight as drier air moves in behind an exiting low
pressure center.

&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
WY...None.
&&

$$

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