Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Twin Cities, MN

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302
FXUS63 KMPX 220515
AFDMPX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1215 AM CDT Sun Sep 22 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered showers and storms in central to
  southeastern Minnesota into western Wisconsin this afternoon
  and evening.

- Temperatures fall tonight into Monday before warming back up
  through the rest of the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 237 PM CDT Sat Sep 21 2024

A band of isolated showers is currently developing over east-central
MN early this afternoon ahead of cold front. Strong upper-level
diffluence above a pool of elevated instability ahead of the front
has allowed for rounds of convection throughout this morning. The
current activity is expected to increase in coverage and move east,
preceding the southeastward moving cold front, through this
afternoon and into this evening. A few thunderstorms will
develop and should become surface-based with time, especially in
southeastern MN and portions of west-central WI, where daytime
heating will uncap the boundary layer. For our southeastern CWA
counties, an isolated severe wind gust or large hail stone
cannot be ruled out within these storms given the 1000-1500 J/kg
of CAPE and about 35 knots of shear before storms exit to our
east this evening. Meanwhile, behind the cold front
northwesterly winds are gusting to 20 to even 30 knots within
the CAA. These winds will follow the southeastward moving front,
weakening some this evening into tonight. Temperatures will
also cool with lows falling into the mid 40s to lower 50s
tonight. Sunday will be a pleasant Fall day with highs in the
mid to upper 60s. Clouds and winds will be decreasing thanks to
subsidence occurring amid strong upper-level confluence. By
Sunday night, surface high pressure will move over the Upper
Midwest, allowing for clear skies and light winds. Night-time
lows will be cool due to the Canadian air mass and favorable
radiational cooling conditions. Low to mid 40s are forecast with
even a few upper 40s possible in eastern MN and northwest WI.
More great, sunny Fall weather is expected Monday with highs in
the upper 60s to lower 70s.

Forecast models do show an amplified trough arriving from the west
Tuesday. However, this trough passage is expected to be dry given
the lack of moisture in the forecast model soundings. In fact, the
entirety of the coming work week is looking dry owing to the lack of
any moisture return and overall forecast stable conditions.
Amplified ridging that is located over the northwest CONUS early
next week will translate east into central North America by
Friday. Low-level WAA will occur into the north-central CONUS
causing highs to warm into at least the mid 70s Wednesday
through next Saturday. Even a few 80s look possible in western
MN, so it appears we are not done with summer yet. Our next good
chance of precipitation isn`t hinted in the long-range guidance
until towards the start of October. However, model spread and
uncertainty are unsurprisingly large by this time.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1215 AM CDT Sun Sep 22 2024

Winds have been calming and should be much calmer overnight.
Winds will pick up again tomorrow, but not as high as yesterday,
with some gusts up to 18 knots. Tomorrow night winds will call
to light and variable. VFR expected through the period.

KMSP...No additional concerns.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
MON...VFR. Wind NE to SE 5-10 kts.
TUE...VFR. Wind S 5-10 kts.
WED...VFR. Wind NW 5-10 kts.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...None.
WI...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...CTG
AVIATION...NDC