Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
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877 FXUS63 KUNR 301706 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 1006 AM MST Sun Nov 30 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Northwest flow will push several disturbances through the region for the next week - Best chance of accumulating snow will be over the northern Black Hills && .DISCUSSION...(Today Through Saturday) Issued at 213 AM MST Sun Nov 30 2025 09z surface analysis had arctic high over the northern Plains. Nighttime microphysics loop showed some stratus splattered about the CWA. Temperatures under the stratus were in the single digits above zero, but where skies have cleared, the mercury was low as -17F. Water vapour loop depicted northwest flow over the region with a shortwave over ID. Today/tonight, ID shortwave drops south/southeast into the four corners area. Weak lobe of mid-level moisture/weak QG-forcing over the far southern reaches of the CWA will bring low chances of light snow later this afternoon/tonight. MaxT adjusted several degrees below guidance for today given fresh snow and increasing cloud cover. Lows tonight will be near guidance. Monday/Tuesday will see a warming trend ahead of upper trough slipping through the northern Plains for Tuesday night/Wednesday. Latest ensemble trends have increased PoPs Tuesday night, likely due to stronger cold front passage leading to noticeably colder temperatures for Wednesday. Pattern suggests upslope snowfall over the northern Black Hills with several inches of snow possible (LREF chance of >0.1" QPF >60%) if boundary layer moisture is sufficient. Plains will see a bit of light snow too, but confidence lower for impactful snow accumulations (LREF chance of >0.1" QPF <30%). Thursday/Friday warms up again, but then another shortwave moves through for the end of the week bringing a chance of light snow, especially for the northern Black Hills. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Monday) Issued At 1004 AM MST Sun Nov 30 2025 Local MVFR/IFR conditions due to patchy stratus and fog over the South Dakota plains will improve by 20Z. Patchy light snow may occur near the SD/NE border after 30/21z, but mainly VFR conditions are expected. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...Helgeson AVIATION...Smith