Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

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646 FXUS63 KUNR 151051 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 451 AM MDT Sat Jun 15 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated showers/storms continue early this morning, with more thunderstorms moving in this afternoon. Some storms later today may be severe. - Hot temperatures continue today, but a cold front late tonight will cool things off moving into next week. - Active weather continues for much of next week, with cooler temperatures and near daily chances for showers and storms. && .DISCUSSION...
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(Today Through Friday) Issued at 142 AM MDT Sat Jun 15 2024 Current Water Vapor and upper air analysis shows mild ridging over the northern and central plains, with upper trough over the great lakes region, and an upper low entering into the NW PAC region. Surface analysis shows low over the western ND/SD border, with warm frontal boundary over western SD this morning. Currently radar has elevated showers over northwestern SD as well as south central SD. Winds are light and variable with temps generally in the 60s. A complex setup will lead to an interesting weekend ahead. Today will be a hot one, with highs in the mid 80s to mid 90s prior to a stronger cold front going through the region late tonight. Southerly moist flow at the low levels will allow for dew points in the low to mid 60s, especially for areas east of the Black Hills. Pre-frontal surface trough moving through the area will help generate showers and storms again as early as noon, but likely mid-afternoon. Increasing CAPE through the day will lead to severe potential in the late afternoon and evening timeframe. Widespread ML CAPE values of 500-1500 j/Kg are expected, while better CAPE east of the Black Hills could climb into the 2000-2500 j/Kg range. Modest shear (30-40kts) in the early afternoon will also increase later in the day. Best chance for severe storms today will be from northeastern WY to northwestern SD, however enough instability elsewhere that cant rule out severe storms for other areas of western SD. Cold front enters northeastern WY later this evening and treks through the rest of the forecast area overnight. 4 to 6 mb/3hr pressure rises behind the front may result in advisory level winds for a few hours overnight. DESI currently shows 50 to 80 percent chance of advisory level winds just east of the Black Hills for a 2-3 hour period overnight behind the front. Cooler temperatures move in behind the front, with highs ranging in the upper 60s to 70s across the forecast area Sunday. The PAC NW upper low treks across southwestern Canada, and southwesterly flow aloft sets up over the region later Sunday. Near stationary frontal boundary sets up from southern WY to southern MN late Sunday night. Coupled with strengthening south to southeast 850mb flow aloft, setup is good for nocturnal storms over the area. Given the timing, hail will be the main threat with these storms Sunday night into Monday morning. PAC NW low over MB slides northeast early Monday, however secondary wave develops behind it moving over MT later Monday into Tuesday, increasing chances for storms/showers again, mainly over northwestern SD. Mid-week looks mostly dry, though cannot rule out some isolated daytime convection, with perhaps a slight warming trend towards the end of next week.
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&& .AVIATION...
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(For the 12Z TAFS Through 12Z Sunday Morning) Issued At 448 AM MDT Sat Jun 15 2024 Local IFR CIGS due to stratus over south-central SD will dissipate this morning. Isolated/scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and persist into the evening hours. The highest concentration of storms will be over northwest SD. MVFR conditions expected with the strongest storms, which may contains gusty, erratic winds and hail. A fast-moving cold front will slice through the area after 04z, bringing localized gusts around 40kts, especially just east/northeast of the Black Hills.
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&& .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...Dye AVIATION...Helgeson