Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS

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635 FXUS63 KTOP 112324 AFDTOP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 624 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Temperatures rise into Thursday reaching toward advisory levels - Strong to severe storms possible Thursday afternoon and evening - Periodic storm chances and hotter temperatures continue through the weekend into early next week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 147 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 A few mid and high clouds have overspread the area today, as a weak frontal boundary slowly moves into the area. The upper trof driving the front is moving across the northern plains, where most of the better lift for storms remains. Forecast for the rest of the day remains dry, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90 most areas. Light south southwest winds expected overnight with lows in the 60s. The transition to hotter temperatures begins on Wednesday, as southwesterly winds and temperatures rise through the day. Highs forecast from the upper 80s east to middle 90s west. Wednesday into Thursday the upper pattern flattens as the upper low off the west coast shifts increasing heights and ridging overhead. Meanwhile an upper jet streak moves into the north central plains, eventually driving a frontal boundary southward into the state on Thursday. The result of the interaction of these features will be to pool moisture, heat and instability along and ahead of this boundary, and will likely bring a decrease in winds along and ahead of it, resulting in hot, muggy conditions, and heat indices in the 102-107F range across much of the forecast area. The northern counties may get a bit of a break and hold with indices in the upper 90s if the boundary gets far enough south. The second factor for Thursday is the storm chances, as instability values rise well into the 3000-4000J/kg by mid afternoon. Shear values of 30-35kts are sufficient to support some rotation and hail, although the directional profiles do have some weak areas that could impact updrafts. DCAPE values do support a wind threat as well, with some locations in the 1800J/kg range. An 850mb jet of around 20kts will support these storms as they likely track southeastward along the instability and moisture gradient through the evening hours before dissipating. A resident cold pool may help bring a break to the area on Friday and hold highs in the low 90s, with lighter winds from the east. By Friday night into early Saturday the western trof moves through the rockies, lifts the boundary back northeast over the area, and brings more chances for storms late Friday and again into Saturday and Saturday night as the upper trof passes overhead. May see a break in rain chances for a time on Saturday and then on Sunday, so the whole weekend isn`t a wash - but between the heat and the storm chances, will need to be weather aware through the period. The pattern remains unsettled into early next week with warm temperatures continuing and intermixed with rain chances. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
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Issued at 624 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 VFR conditions continue through the period. Southerly winds look light tonight before picking up again late Thursday morning, bringing gusts to around 20 kt throughout the day. Mid to high clouds should clear heading into Thursday as well.
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&& .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Craven AVIATION...Picha