Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
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617 FXUS63 KUNR 061702 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 1002 AM MST Sat Dec 6 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Chances for light snow today through Sunday morning. - Warm and windy conditions early next week. - More chances for precipitation for latter half of next week. && .DISCUSSION...(Today Through Friday) Issued at 309 AM MST Sat Dec 6 2025 Upper air analysis shows northwest flow continuing over the western half of the CONUS, as it has been doing for some days now. A series of embedded waves are crossing the northern Rockies into the northern High Plains. At the surface, low pressure is developing across southern MT through eastern WY, with breezy S/SE winds responding across the western SD plains. KUDX radar shows light snow gradually moving into the forecast area. The surface low will cross SW/SCentral SD this morning as it strengthens, drawing colder air back in from the NE. Light snow will continue today...mainly across NW/central SD and the northern Black Hills. However, snow amounts are expected to be light...an inch or less across most areas. Highs will range from the mid 20s over NW SD to the lower 40s over far SW SD. Snow will gradually dissipate this evening, but the next wave and a warm front, will bring back more light snow to the area late tonight through Sunday morning. Again, this could bring an inch or so of snow, especially over NW SD and the northern Black Hills. Lows will be in the single digits over NW SD and 20s over NE WY, where warmer air will have worked in. Most areas will be dry by Sunday afternoon, with highs in the 30s to lower 40s. Even warmer air is expected on Monday as highs reach the 40s to lower 50s, along with dry conditions. The next system then quickly pushes through on Tuesday. Models have been showing highs even warmer than Monday...approaching 60 in some spots. However, the ECM & GFS are progged to bring a very strong cold front sometime in the afternoon, which could affect highs if the timing ends up being earlier in the day. Strong cold air advection and pressure rises could support very strong winds, with gusts well over 60 mph. Will be keeping an eye on this. The best chance for precip will again be over NW SD, but would likely fall as rain, before the colder air can push in. Active NW flow is progged to persist into the second half of the week, with more unsettled weather, cooler temperatures, and breezy winds. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Sunday) Issued At 1001 AM MST Sat Dec 6 2025 MVFR with local IFR conditions in -SHSN will develop this afternoon. Though snow will end this evening, MVFR/IFR CIGS will remain overnight and continue into the next round of snow early Sunday morning. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...13 AVIATION...Smith