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000
FXUS63 KILX 250929
AFDILX

Area Forecast Discussion
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
329 AM CST Sun Jan 25 2015

.SHORT TERM...(Today)
ISSUED AT 328 AM CST SUN JAN 25 2015

3am surface analysis has low pressure centered over southern Iowa
with the latest 3 hourly surface pressure falls suggesting a
continued southeast movement to the low this morning. Not a lot
of cold air associated with this particular storm system as surface
temperatures across Iowa, southern Minnesota and southeast South
Dakota were still above freezing after the low shifted away from
there area.

By 12z, the low is forecast by most models to be just west-southwest
of Quincy. Temperatures ahead of the low continue to slowly rise
early this morning with readings ranging from the mid 30s over far
eastern Illinois to the middle 40s over southwest Illinois. With the
low expected to push to near Lawrenceville by late this afternoon,
we expect the warmest temperatures across the north this morning
with steady or slowly falling temperatures this afternoon as winds
turn into the northeast and increase to between 15 and 25 mph with
gusts up to 30 mph at times.

The high resolution short term forecast soundings continue to show
temperatures at the surface too warm to support much in the way of
snow until later this morning across the north, and not until later
this afternoon over central through east central Illinois. Further
south, any changeover looks to hold off until the low shifts to
the south of the area this evening. Am a bit concerned with our
northern counties...roughly along and north of I-74...later this
morning and especially this afternoon when the low shifts further
to our southwest, surface winds up to 900 mb switch into the northeast
with soundings showing 30-40 kts around 900 mb. That may be enough
to bring surface temps down sufficiently for a brief period of time
for a period of moderate snowfall before soundings indicate we lose
the ice crystals in the upper layers of the clouds. However, except
for the NAM, which once again appears to have initialized too cold
in the lower levels of the atmosphere, all other forecast soundings
indicate surface temperatures should stay above freezing during the
daylight hours. Highest totals, in the 1 to 2 inch range will be
along and north of the I-74 corridor with lighter accumulations
to the south.

&&

.LONG TERM...(Tonight through Sunday)
ISSUED AT 328 AM CST SUN JAN 25 2015

Surface low pressure between Evansville and Louisville KY at sunset
and then into eastern KY by midnight tonight. Have increase chances
of mixed precipitation to likely over southeast IL during first half
of evening, as light rain changes to light snow before diminishing
during late evening. Snowfall amounts in southeast IL should be less
than a half inch. Gusty nne winds linger during the evening before
diminishing overnight as low pressure pulls away from IL with weak
ridging into IL by dawn Monday. Lows tonight in the upper teens to
near 20F north and mid 20s south of I-70 in southeast IL.

Another clipper low pressure system will dive quickly southeast into
the upper MS river valley by sunset Monday, though this time best
chances of light snow to be ne of central IL Monday afternoon and
Monday night. Carried slight chances of light snow and flurries over
northern and ne counties Monday afternoon into Monday night. Highs
Monday range from lower 30s from Bloomington and Champaign ne to
near 40F from Jacksonville sw.

1025 mb surface high pressure drifts over IL Tue night and into the
eastern Ohio river valley Wed while upper level ridge noses into IL.
This to bring quiet weather with temps moderating again with highs
in the mid 30s to lower 40s Tue and 40s Wed and near 50F from
Jacksonville sw.

Low pressure off the Pacific northwest moves east into IL and Ohio
river valley Wed night and Thu returning a chance of mainly light
rain, though could be a mix of light snow northern counties before
ending. Highs Thu around 40F northern areas and mid 40s in southeast
IL. Cooler highs in the mid to upper 30s Friday which is close to
normal for late January. Extended models dig an upper level trof
over the Great Lakes and eastern states next weekend bringing
chances of light snow showers especially ne areas. Temps also cool
some more Sat night and Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Sunday night)
ISSUED AT 1105 PM CST SAT JAN 24 2015

Low-level thermal profiles still a challenge as the 00z models
continue to be on the warm side of the current forecast despite
the low tracking a bit further south. Latest water vapor imagery
and upstream observations suggest that the southward trend in the
forecast envelope may continue. However one impact of the further
south trajectory may be to delay post-system low-level CAA. Cold
air remains bottled up over eastern North Dakota, Minnesota, and
northern Wisconsin and is not yet being funneled into the storm.

Will delay switchover of precip from liquid to frozen and confine
a period of possible sleet to KPIA and KBMI.

Gusty north winds still look likely after storm passage Sunday
afternoon as forecasted gradient tightens.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Smith
LONG TERM...07
AVIATION...Barker