Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Des Moines, IA

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892 FXUS63 KDMX 220527 AFDDMX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1227 AM CDT Wed May 22 2024 ...Updated for the 06z Aviation Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES...
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- The severe risk for the area has diminished this evening and dry conditions will prevail through the night. - Expect gusty winds to continue tonight but steadily diminish through the morning hours.
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&& .DISCUSSION... Issued at 142 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024 Already one round of heavy rainfall moved through the state last night with 3 to 5 inches of rainfall in some areas with isolated higher amounts that led to flash flooding. Severe storms also moved over southern and parts of central Iowa in the morning hours. As a shortwave trough lifts northeastward and negatively tilts this afternoon, latest Warn on Forecast System (WoFS) is showing good airmass recovery with dewpoints rising 5 or so degrees ahead of a surface triple point. Low level kinematics are already strong and mid-levels are increasing as well. As the airmass recovers, WoFS shows strong instability with MLCAPE growing above 1500 J/kg and very favorable 0-500m and 0-1km SRH ahead of it as well. Hodographs show a bit more linear depiction, but initially they may be able to remain curved in the low levels. Therefore, concern and confidence remain high of rotating storms capable of tornadoes, including a few strong given the Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch issued earlier, damaging wind gusts including the potential of a few intense wind gusts (greater than 75 mph), and large hail larger than golf ball size. The hail size can be greater with rotating storms as hailstones recycle in the updraft. Rainfall with these storms of 1 to 2 inches will be possible and could cause new flash flooding or prolong or renew flooding with rivers rising as well from the recent and future rainfall. Storms will move quickly through our area this afternoon and be largely east of a Waterloo to Ottumwa line by around 7pm As we move into this evening, we will enter a several day period of drier conditions, which will be welcome for saturated soils and swollen streams. While river flooding will be peaking mid to late this week, no substantial rainfall is forecast until Thursday night into Friday. This is when the next shortwave trough will approach and pass north of the region and bring thunderstorms through the state. The timing may mitigate a wider severe risk, but instability and shear may be sufficient for a few strong to severe storms. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/...
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Issued at 1221 AM CDT Wed May 22 2024 A primarily MVFR cloud deck remains draped over the area early this morning, but will depart north and east through the coming hours. Expect gusty winds to continue through the night as well, with potentially a brief break in the morning before winds pick up again later today. Winds today won`t be near as strong as yesterday`s with gusts out of the west around 20 to 25 kts expected.
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&& .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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None.
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&& $$ DISCUSSION...Ansorge AVIATION...Dodson