Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

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972 FXUS63 KUNR 061111 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 511 AM MDT Thu Jun 6 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Breezy northwest winds continue today especially across northwestern into south central SD - Warm weather expected through early next week with some chances for showers and storms returning over the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...(Today Through Wednesday) Issued at 203 AM MDT Thu Jun 6 2024 Current upper air analysis depicts upper low centered over MB/ON with 300 mb jet streak over ND/MN/eastern SD. Skies over the CWA are clear with temps in the 40s to 50s and light northwest winds. Sfc low that was over MB this afternoon has drifted eastward with high pressure building in from the west. Breezy northwest winds continue today as the upper level jet lingers overhead. The strongest winds aloft will be to the northeast of the forecast area with low chances for advsy level gusts mixing down in some spots across northwest SD. Due to limited coverage and duration as well as low confidence in these gusts materializing: have opted to not issue any wind headlines for today. We could still see gusts of 30 to 40 mph this afternoon, especially over northwestern into south central SD and our usual "squeeze" spots near the Black Hills. Northwest flow pattern will continue through the weekend with mostly dry and warm conditions across the forecast area. 700 mb lee shortwave develops late Thursday/Friday and ejects over NE by midday Friday. ML CAPE of 1000-1500 J/kg will stay mostly in NE with values of 500-1000 J/kg over far southern SD. The better shear will remain to the north and east of the best CAPE values but there could be enough to result in a few strong to marginally severe storms over southern SD Friday afternoon. Limiting factor for convection will be high CIN (around -70 to -100 J/kg) and meager moisture. Chances for showers and storms across southern SD will continue through Saturday. Forecast uncertainty increases through early next week as the models aren`t quite in agreement as to the evolution of the upper level pattern. There are some hints in the most recent deterministic runs of the Euro and GFS of an upper low flattening out the ridge and putting the northern plains under a more zonal flow pattern with the Canadian having troughing over the northern plains. However these features haven`t been consistent in the model to model runs. Which is to say: forecast confidence decreases by early next week as to the exact evolution of the upper level flow. How this upper level pattern develops will determine the likelihood of storms early next week as well as temperatures later in the week (though ensemble output has been fairly consistent as to much warmer air moving into the region by late next week). && .AVIATION...
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(For the 12Z TAFS Through 12Z Friday Morning) Issued At 509 AM MDT Thu Jun 6 2024 VFR conditions are expected through the forecast period. Isold SHRA/TS are possible toward dawn Friday across scentral SD.
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&& .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...Wong AVIATION...JC