Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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132 FXUS63 KFSD 020906 AFDFSD Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 406 AM CDT Thu May 2 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - With up to 1-1.5" of rainfall fallen across portions of northwestern Iowa overnight by sunrise, there may be ponding of water on roadways and low-lying area, with some rises on the local rivers/streams. - Main area of showers and thunderstorms will move east this morning, with additional pop-up showers possible throughout the day. - Additional chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms return Friday night into Saturday, and again Monday night into Tuesday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 406 AM CDT Thu May 2 2024 Early morning radar shows showers and thunderstorms shifting eastwards across the region, and as of 3 AM majority of the rainfall is occurring east of the James River Valley. This activity is occurring as an inverted trough is extending northwards into the region, further aided by shortwaves moving around the cut-off upper level low parked on the International Border. As the inverted trough continues to shift eastwards, majority of the currently observed rainfall will be pushing east of US 71 across SW Minnesota and NW Iowa by the mid-morning hours. Soundings from across the region show that the low-levels remain saturated throughout the day, and as additional, albeit weaker, shortwaves move across the region, another round or two of showers are possible throughout the day. Given the saturated low-levels, not impossible to see some drizzle falling out of the stratus deck during the morning hours. Otherwise, a surface high pressure will be developing on the backside of the exiting surface low pressure, which result in a tightened surface pressure gradient leading to breezy winds developing throughout the afternoon hours. Highest wind gusts are expected along the central NE/SD border, where gusts into the mid 30s are possible, whereas elsewhere wind gusts into the mid 20s are expected. Afternoon temperatures are expected to rebound up into the mid 50s to lower 60s, possible mid 60s near the SD/IA/NE border. We`ll be watching a new surface low pressure develop under the aforementioned cut-off upper level low, sending a cold front towards the region. After early morning lows in the mid 30s to lower 40s, with some patchy frost in central South Dakota, southwesterly winds will advect warm air into the region out. Areas west of I-29 will be the first to see the cold frontal passage, thus will see the coolest high temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Areas well ahead of the front are expected to reach back up into the mid 60s to lower 70s. The trough axis moves in quickly behind the cold front as it pushes eastwards across the area throughout the afternoon hours, and will lead to additional chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight into Saturday. Instability looks to remain quite limited, with models showing a modest 200-500 J/kg of CAPE available, so no severe weather is expected. Given little time for moisture return since the last event, rainfall amounts are expected to remain light, resulting in a 20 to 40% chance for a quarter inch, lowest north of I-90 and highest south of I-90. As a strong cut-off upper level low moves ashore onto the west coast, upper level ridging will lead to dry conditions expected for the rest of Saturday and throughout Sunday. Highs on Saturday will fall into the lower to mid 60s, increasing on Sunday into the mid 60s to lower 70s. The upper level ridging breaks down into Monday as the big trough slides eastwards. The similarly strong surface low pressure will continue warm air advection as we remain in the developing warm sector, which will bring surface temperatures into the lower to mid 70s. Chances for showers and thunderstorms return Monday afternoon as the surface low continues to move eastwards, with a strong cold front moving across the region overnight into Tuesday. SPC has added a 15% chance for severe thunderstorms south of the area, with uncertainties on how north the instability is able to reach. Model solutions continue to show that the cut-off upper level low will stall out somewhere over the northern plains, which would result in continued chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1032 PM CDT Wed May 1 2024 Although ceilings are remaining at VFR levels longer than anticipated, expect MVFR/IFR conditions to advect in with showers and thunderstorms from NE through the overnight hours. Reduced visibility has been observed this evening with locally brief and heavy rainfall. This looks most likely along and east of I-29, especially over northwestern IA. Stratus with MVFR/IFR ceilings continue through the early afternoon Thursday, with widespread rainfall ending through the morning hours. However, latest guidance this evening shows the potential for isolated showers through Thursday afternoon, as well as patchy drizzle with the low cloud deck. Have not included any afternoon showers in the TAFs, as confidence in coverage is low at this time. Winds increase overnight with gusts around 20-25 knots. Evening model runs have backed off with the potential for LLWS across northwestern IA as the LLJ increases; however, have continued to include at KSUX through 02.09z as gusts have currently dropped off. Wind direction varies through this forecast period, becoming northwesterly to westerly by late Thursday morning/early Thursday afternoon. VFR conditions are currently expected to return by the end of the period. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...APT AVIATION...SG