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685
FXUS63 KARX 221715
AFDARX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1215 AM CDT Thu Sep 22 2016

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 415 AM CDT Thu Sep 22 2016

Radar estimates anywhere from 2 to 9 inches of rain fell across
the area on Wednesday. The highest totals were located across
Clark, Floyd, Chickasaw, and Vernon counties. This has resulted
in flash flooding in these areas.

As a short wave trough, currently located over western Iowa, moves
away from the area later this morning, the moisture transport will
gradually weaken. As this occurs, the showers and thunderstorms
will wane. Up to an additional 2 inches of rain will be possible
south of Interstate 90.

For this afternoon, the winds fields aloft will weakening across
the region. As partly sunny skies develop, anticipate that the
0-1 km mean layer CAPES will climb up to 1000 J/kg. As outflow
boundaries interact with the front across northern Iowa and
southern Wisconsin, expect isolated to scattered showers and
storms to develop. A few of these storms may produce hail up to
quarters and wind damage. These storms will then weaken as we lose
the diurnal heating during the afternoon.

For tonight, the CAM models continue to show quite a bit of
convection across the forecast area. With weak forcing across the
area, I am a bit concerned that the models may be overdoing the
rain chances and amounts for tonight.

.LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday)
Issued at 415 AM CDT Thu Sep 22 2016

From Friday into Friday night, a warm front will move north
through the forecast area. With much of the moisture transport
being located across the Dakotas, western Iowa, and western
Minnesota, additional rainfall amounts will likely be less than a
quarter of an inch.

From Saturday afternoon through Sunday night, a cold front will
move slowly east through the forecast area. The GFS continues to
being slightly faster than the ECMWF with moving the front out of
the area. With warm cloud layer depths of 3.5 to 4 km,
precipitable water values around 1.8 inches, and strong moisture
transport, it looks like we will see the potential of more heavy
rain across the region. If this trend continues, a Flash Flood
Watch will likely be needed.

In the wake of this front, the GFS has a closed upper level low
moving across the region. This would keep the chance of showers
and storms in the forecast through Wednesday. Meanwhile the ECMWF
keeps this low further north and the area remains dry.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon)
Issued at 625 AM CDT Thu Sep 22 2016

Most of the pcpn has shifted south of the TAF sites, and should stay
there through the afternoon. Expecting redevelopment to the west in
the evening...tracking east into the area. Meso models suggest the
bulk of the shra/ts will be south of I-90, but close enough to
warrant some inclusion in the forecast.

Cigs should improve a bit for the afternoon, but expect them to drop
back into ifr/mvfr categories tonight, along with reductions in
vsbys from fog and any of the shower activity.

Winds will hold mostly easterly through Friday.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 415 AM CDT Thu Sep 22 2016

With the moisture transport weakening and remaining that way
through tonight, additional rainfall totals will be likely up to 2
inches across northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. This will
aggravate the ongoing flooding.

Most of our river systems will see significant rises over the next
couple of days. We are already seeing moderate to major flooding
along the Black River. There may be even a record crest at Black
River Falls. The Cedar River is also forecast to see moderate to
major flood by this weekend. All of the other river systems in the
area will likely have at least moderate flooding.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 415 AM CDT Thu Sep 22 2016

La Crosse WI...

The 3.17 inches of rain at La Crosse Regional Airport yesterday
that fell yesterday was the 3rd highest September rainfall. Only
September 6, 1884 (5.55 inches) and September 19, 1983 (3.35
inches) had higher rainfall totals. This raised the monthly total
to 8.79 inches which is the 6th wettest September. This is the
wettest September since 1965 (10.52 inches - 2nd wettest). The
wettest September occurred in 1881 when 10.87 inches of rain fell.

Rochester MN...

The 3.60 inches of rain at Rochester International Airport that
fell yesterday was the 4th highest September rainfall. Only
September 12, 1978 (5.98 inches), September 23, 2010 (4.34
inches), and September 14, 2004 (4.04 inches) had higher rainfall
totals. This raised the monthly total to 8.25 inches which is the
6th wettest September. This is the wettest September since 2010
(9.95 inches). The wettest September occurred in 1986 when 10.50
inches of rain fell.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Flash Flood Watch until 7 PM CDT this evening for WIZ041>044-
     053>055-061.

MN...Flash Flood Watch until 7 PM CDT this evening for MNZ086>088-
     094>096.

IA...Flash Flood Watch until 7 PM CDT this evening for IAZ008>011-
018-     019-029-030.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...BOYNE
LONG TERM...BOYNE
AVIATION....RIECK
HYDROLOGY...BOYNE
CLIMATE...BOYNE