Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Duluth, MN
Issued by NWS Duluth, MN
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127 FXUS63 KDLH 012027 AFDDLH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Duluth MN 327 PM CDT Wed May 1 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Light precipitation is expected through tomorrow afternoon with total QPF amounts remaining under 0.2 - Cooler and drier conditions through midweek - Active pattern returns to our region late week and into the weekend with multiple chances for precipitation && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 315 PM CDT Wed May 1 2024 Short Term: Scattered clouds through this afternoon will become more widespread across our area as well as increase in coverage as a shortwave trough drops out of the Canadian Prairies and into the Northern Plains. This will be the focus of any precipitation that we see in the coming 24 hours. Initially a warm front will move through the area this afternoon bringing showers and drizzle with it as it passes through the area. It appears that Central Minnesota may not see much precipitation with this initial round due to a fair bit of dry air closer to the surface. Conversely, areas east of I-35, and near the border with Canada have better rain chances due to marginally more moist lower levels. By late tonight most of the precipitation from the front will have moved off to the east with scattered showers near the eastern edges of our CWA. Around daybreak Tuesday is when our precipitation chances return as the shortwave finally moves overhead and produces more chances for rain and maybe some snowflakes on the backend. As the cold front associated with the shortwave moves North to South early tomorrow, we will see another bout of precipitation. Initially the precipitation will remain all rain but during early morning as strong cold air occurs, we will see temperatures drop into the mid to upper 30s. With these temperatures we could see a few flakes in the colder pockets and where we have stronger convection where evaporative cooling can enhance the cooling effect. As it stands right now, the Minnesota Arrowhead and South Shore areas look to have the best chance (50-60%) of seeing some snowflakes mix-in heading into the afternoon. By late afternoon, most of the precipitation will have moved out of our CWA with much cooler temperatures present with highs in the upper 30s (closer to the lake) to mid 40s (Inland). Extended Range: Wednesday will be on the cooler side with highs remaining in the 40s and 50s with persistent NW wind making it feel on the chillier side. Very dry soundings indicate the return of near- critical fire weather conditions across far northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin during the day. This cold, dry spell will be brief before well see a quick warmup into the upper 50s/lower 60s on Thursday as winds return to a more southerly component, which will advect some moisture for slightly less dry conditions. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1248 PM CDT Wed May 1 2024 MVFR ceilings across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin will scatter and lift through the afternoon. The exception will be along the North Shore and International Border where MVFR ceilings may (60-80% chance) persist through the afternoon. Scattered light rain showers will also continue through sunset. The next round of rain and IFR/MVFR ceilings and visibility will arrive from south to north across the area early Thursday morning and continue through the day. Easterly winds off of Lake Superior may (40-60% chance) cause MVFR/IFR conditions in fog and stratus at KDLH late tonight ahead of the rain. && .MARINE /FOR NEAR SHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/... Issued at 315 PM CDT Wed May 1 2024 A brief period of strong westerly winds should be dying down late this afternoon and evening, with fairly calm conditions expected overnight. Northeast winds strengthen through the day Thursday, with waves building in response. Peak gusts up to 25 knots and waves up to 5 to 7 feet could be possible tomorrow afternoon and evening at the head of the lake. Elsewhere, expect winds and waves slightly less than that, but still breezy with gusts largely over 20 knots. Another round of Small Craft Advisories will likely be needed. Into Friday, expect winds to turn southwesterly and become very strong through the day Friday. For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt. && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM CDT this evening for LSZ121- 143>147-150. && $$ DISCUSSION...Levens/KP AVIATION...PA MARINE...Levens