000
FXUS63 KMPX 130923
AFDMPX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
423 AM CDT Sun Aug 13 2017

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 349 AM CDT Sun Aug 13 2017

Strong shortwave can be seen on both radar and satellite spinning
to the north of Aberdeen, SD. Farther upstream, there`s a
shortwave ridge along the MN/WI border, which is helping to keep
high pressure in place across Wisconsin. Rain and embedded storms
out in western MN have moved very little overnight, as the
shortwave forcing it and its associated LLJ and fgen in the h85-h7
layer have moved little as well. There`s good model consensus
from both deterministic and hi- res models that through the
morning, as the Dakotas upper low slowly shifts east, we`ll see
the precip do the same, with the area of rain out in west central
MN slowly tracking northeast across central MN through the
morning. There`s good model agreement as well that the heaviest
rain, likely in the form of a band of 2-3" will fall out in west
central MN, but for the rest of the area, amounts of 0.5-1" are
more likely.

Though there`s good agreement on this first batch of rain lifting
into central MN, there`s less agreement on how precip will evolve
the rest of the day. Given the incoming upper low and it`s
associated cooler temps aloft, we should see scattered showers
bubble up pretty quick as we build some instability. There`s even
an outside threat for some strong to severe storms today over
southwest MN. Both the GFS/NAM show 1000-1500 j/kg of mucape
developing with 30-40 kts of 0-6km shear. The SPC has a marginal
risk coming up to I- 90 on the first rendition of the Day 1
outlook, but seeing a stronger cell or two up to the MN River
looks possible.

For tonight, the upper low/wave will continue a weakening trend
that will begin this afternoon. We`ll have a remnant tongue of
moisture working east through the night, with scattered showers
continuing to slowly move east with it. We`ll see it dry out in
western MN, though expect what we are seeing west and south of
Bismark this morning to happen over western/central MN tonight,
which will be the development of low stratus.

.LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 349 AM CDT Sun Aug 13 2017

Monday through Wednesday...The period will commence with the
departure of a shortwave trough originating from a large upper low
over Hudson Bay swinging over the western Great Lakes. This will
also coincide with a weak surface low pressure center shifting
east over southern Minnesota into WI/IL. Showers will gradually
end from west to east as this system exits to the east. After a
brief respite in the form of a sharp ridge axis moving in from the
Dakotas, a more organized deep system will impact the area Tuesday
through Wednesday. Setting the stage, a longwave trough developing
over the western CONUS coast will adjust the upper level pattern
to one of a more southwesterly flow, tapping into a poignant and
moist subtropical jet. This will shunt deeper moisture into the
Upper Mississippi River valley in advance of both this longwave
trough along with a developing low pressure system moving across
the Rockies Monday night into Tuesday. Models continue to show
PWATs rising to the 1.50"-2.00" range in advance of the trough
which also continues to take on a pivoting action to a negative
tilt by the time it moves into the Central Plains by Tuesday
evening. As such, the deep lift and tilted nature of this
approaching system may lead to efficient precipitation generation
across much of the WFO MPX coverage area, to the tune of rainfall
over 1". In addition, there are growing signals for the potential
of isolated severe weather for Tuesday into Tuesday night should
enough insolation be available to further destabilize the
atmosphere. However, lapse rates are unimpressive and shear is
fairly weak so am not too enthralled with severe weather potential
at this point. The timing of greatest coverage and heaviest rain
looks to be Tuesday night through the first half of Wednesday with
precipitation then diminishing Wednesday night, thus have kept
pops in the likely to low-end categorical range at this point but
would not be surprised to see pops continue to rise.

Thursday through Saturday...A more zonal pattern aloft combined
with surface high pressure looks to be the story for the end of
the week. While a stacked low pressure system looks to develop for
south-central Canada, there is little influence to be made of it
moving across the international border into the north-central
CONUS, thus have advertised a mainly dry end of the week.
Temperatures will continue to run near normal with nearly
identical day-to-day values.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Sunday night)
Issued at 1055 PM CDT Sat Aug 12 2017

A few minor changes to previous TAF as onset of SHRA will occur in
west central/central Minnesota during the 6-12z time frame. MVFR
cigs/vsbys are possible, especially if precipitation is heavier.
Very little chance of thunder, but enough to warrant VCTS at KAXN.
Otherwise, either VCSH or -SHRA will occur before 12z for some
areas of southern/east central Minnesota. West central Wisconsin
will remain dry. After 12z, conditions will deteriorate in west
central Minnesota with MVFR or possible IFR cigs along with
occasional SHRA. Elsewhere, coverage will be more scattered with
isolated heavier SHRA. Any TSRA should occur after 18-21z for
mainly the southwest/south central part of Minnesota where
instability will be highest. Winds will slowly increase overnight
and become gusty in southern Minnesota from the southeast. A more
east-southeast wind will likely develop in central Minnesota as
the surface low moves overhead.

KMSP...Only -SHRA/VCSH until 15z, with the bulk of any heavier
activity holding off until late Sunday afternoon/evening with a
chance of TSRA. Cigs will remain VFR, with possibly lowering to
MVFR Sunday evening. Winds will remain from the southeast at 5-15
kts.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
Mon...MVFR Cigs with scattered SHRA. Bcmg VFR late. Wind SE at 5
kts.
Tue...VFR. MVFR/IFR possible late with SHRA/TSRA. Wind SE at
5-10 kts.
Wed...VFR. MVFR/IFR early. Chc TSRA. Wind S at 5-10 kts bcmg W.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
&&

$$

SHORT TERM...MPG
LONG TERM...JPC
AVIATION...JLT