000
FXUS63 KDDC 151116
AFDDDC

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
616 AM CDT Tue Apr 15 2014

...Updated aviation section...

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
ISSUED AT 258 AM CDT TUE APR 15 2014

The upper level ridge axis across the West and adjacent Rockies will
rapidly approach the Great Plains and flatten out by midday with
zonal northwesterly flow aloft becoming dominant across much of the
northwestern half of the CONUS. This will support fairly robust lee
trough development from Montana south into eastern Colorado. The
MSLP gradient will increase, as a result, with surface winds picking
up out of the south/southwest by midday. Temperatures will rebound
nicely as the 900-800mb downslope continues through the day warming
the temperatures in this layer.  We should see highs easily reach
upper 60s for far southwest KS and mid 60s elsewhere.  A shortwave
trough within the northwest flow aloft will move into the Northern
Rockies tonight, helping sustain the deep lee trough as it pushes
east into the southern Dakotas and Nebraska. The gradient across
southwestern Kansas will remain strong enough to keep winds up in
the 14 to 17 knot range much of the night.  By daybreak Wednesday,
the center of the trough axis will likely be over far west-central
KS and southwest Kansas with winds diminishing.  This would support
temperatures falling into the 35 to 39F range out west with lows a
bit warmer farther east.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday)
ISSUED AT 417 AM CDT TUE APR 15 2014

A cold front will move through western Kansas Wednesday due to an
upper level shortwave moving through the Northern Plains. Winds will
generally be from the north with the exception of south central
Kansas where they should remain ahead of the front most of the day
with southerly winds. Highs Wednesday are forecasted to range from
the lower 60s across west central Kansas where the front will move
through early to lower 70s across south central Kansas where the
front is not expected to move through until late in the day.

Another upper level shortwave is progged to move through the Central
High Plains Wednesday night into Thursday bringing increased clouds
with a chance of precipitation. This precipitation will start out as
rain showers for the first part of Wednesday night then change over
to snow from west to east as the night progresses. As of now, areas
south and east of Liberal to Larned look to remain above freezing
with only rain showers expected. Strong northerly winds and cold air
advection will continue Wednesday night into Thursday with lows
ranging from around freezing across west central Kansas to lower 40s
across south central Kansas. Highs Thursday are anticipated to range
from the upper 30s across much of the area with the exception of
south central Kansas where 40s will be possible. In fact,
temperatures across some places may remain steady or only rise a few
degrees throughout the day. Snow totals through Thursday afternoon
currently look to range from 2-4 inches across the I-70 corridor
with lesser amounts farther south. The counties across the Oklahoma
border and south central Kansas may not receive any snow at all.

Clouds will decrease in coverage Thursday night with mostly clear
skies expected on Friday. This is due to an upper level ridge
building above the Plains. Winds will shift back to more of a
southerly direction during this time frame. This will be short lived
as an upper level shortwave moves through the Southwest United
States and Four Corners Region Friday then into the Central Plains
on Saturday. Clouds will be on the increase Friday night as this
system approaches with a chance of thunderstorms Saturday into
Saturday night. Most models suggest this system to exit the area on
Sunday with the exception of the ECMWF that brings wrap around
showers to the area throughout most of the day. As for temperatures,
highs look to reach into the 60s Friday then in the lower 70s
Saturday and Sunday. Lows Friday morning look to dip to around 30
degrees. Lows Saturday and Sunday morning in the mid to upper 40s
with the exception of south central Kansas where lows in the lower
50s will be possible Sunday morning.

The remainder of the extended period looks dry with upper level
ridging building across the Rockies and southerly winds at the
surface. Skies should be mostly clear. Highs Monday and Tuesday look
to be in the 70s with lows around 50 degrees.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Wednesday morning)
ISSUED AT 615 AM CDT TUE APR 15 2014

VFR condition will prevail today with mostly clear skies. Winds
will generally be from the southwest at10 to 15 knots increasing
to around 20 knots in the afternoon.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DDC  65  39  68  37 /   0   0   0  60
GCK  66  37  64  36 /   0   0   0  60
EHA  68  39  65  37 /   0   0   0  60
LBL  67  37  67  39 /   0   0   0  60
HYS  66  40  67  36 /   0   0   0  60
P28  64  40  73  44 /   0   0   0  60

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
HARD FREEZE WARNING until 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/ this morning FOR
KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Umscheid
LONG TERM...Hovorka_42
AVIATION...Hovorka_42