Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary Off
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
129 FXUS63 KUNR 130443 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 1043 PM MDT Wed Jun 12 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Near to above average temperatures through Thursday with a few nighttime showers and thunderstorms possible. - A more unsettled pattern returns Friday, with occasional chances for storms into early next week. && .DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Wednesday) Issued at 246 PM MDT Wed Jun 12 2024 Current surface analysis shows a cool front from far northwest MN to eastern SD to northern NE. Upper level analysis shows near zonal flow from the Pacific NW into the northern high Plains. Skies are mainly sunny with warm temps ranging from the upper 70s to lower 90s, warmest toward south central SD. Breezy northwesterly winds linger across mainly northwest SD this afternoon. Relatively quiet weather expected through Thursday as high pressure passes over the northern Rockies and northern Plains. A weak embedded disturbance in the zonal flow could bring some high based showers/thundershowers late tonight/early Thursday to areas mainly northeast and east of the Black Hills. Slightly cooler air behind the front to the east will result in lows tonight in the upper 40s and 50s, with highs on Thursday in the mid 70s to mid 80s. Lighter north to northwest winds can be expected into Thursday, with winds generally switching to the south and southeast by later Thursday night as the high shifts east of the region. Low level southerly jet develops later Thursday night across the northern/central high Plains, with modest theta-e advection as well across most of the area. This should result in an increase in shower and thunderstorm chances late Thursday night into Friday morning, especially across southwest to central SD. An isolated strong storm or two is possible. Weather pattern will become more unsettled from Friday into early next week as upper trough moves into the Pacific NW and a series of disturbances move from the northern Rockies to the northern Plains. Shortwave ridge will track over the area on Friday, with above average highs in the 80s to near 90 degrees, warmest over northeast WY. Developing southwesterly flow aloft later Friday into Friday night will bring energy across WY and into the Dakotas. Southerly flow will bring increasing moisture and resultant MLCAPE values of 1000 to 2000 j/kg across much of western SD later in the day, with the more favorable shear likely from northwest into central SD. At least a marginal risk for severe storms is expected for most of the area Friday afternoon and evening, with large hail and strong wind gusts the main threats from any stronger storms. There looks to be some lingering potential for stronger storms later Saturday into Saturday night, especially across far northeast WY into northwest SD, along and ahead of an approaching cold front and upper level shortwave. Timing of the front and exact track of the shortwave will likely play a role in how much of a threat there will be, as right now the front is forecast to pass during the evening into the overnight hours. Sunday will be mainly dry and breezy with more seasonable temps. Persistent southwesterly flow aloft will likely bring more chances for storms Sunday night and early next week as another stronger shortwave is progged to pass through the Pacific NW trough. Forecast for the middle and latter parts of next week is much more uncertain, but could at least see a break in chances for a portion of the midweek period. Temps for most of next week look to be relatively close to seasonal averages, highs in the 70s to low/mid 80s. && .AVIATION...
-- Changed Discussion --
(For the 06Z TAFS Through 06Z Thursday Night) Issued At 1042 PM MDT Wed Jun 12 2024 Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible until around 12z, mainly across northwest SD. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...26 AVIATION...13