Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Quad Cities, IA IL

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941 FXUS63 KDVN 111934 AFDDVN Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 234 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 .KEY MESSAGES...
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- Rain/Storms possible through the next few days, with strong to severe storms possible each day/night. Main activity will be seen late afternoon and through the night. - Unseasonably warm temperatures will invade the area, especially through to the upcoming weekend. Many will see temperatures approach or exceed 90. Humid conditions may result in excessive heat for some!
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&& .SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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Issued at 224 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 This afternoon and evening, high pressure continues to slide east, as a trough digging in from the west brings a weak boundary through the area tonight. Some short term guidance brings in the storms, while others do not. The factor leading to this discrepancy is moisture. The guidance that brings thunderstorms into the area have much higher dewpoints moving in, which is allowing more convective coverage. Current dewpoints are around the upper 40s to low 50s, but guidance brings them well into the mid 60s. This seems unattainable, which is lowering our confidence in seeing much convection. If we do see storms, the best chance will be in our northwest, where the best moisture pools, with the action shifting east towards Dubuque in the mid- late evening. Timing for any storms seems to be between 4pm- 11pm, with severe risk drastically dropping off after sunset. There is a Marginal Risk (level 1/5) for Severe Weather with these storms, highlighted by the SPC, for the storm potential this evening. Main hazards will be winds and hail. Aside from the chance for precipitation, we will mainly see an increase in cloud coverage and a wind shift. Temperatures tonight will remain mild for most, with much of the area in the low-mid 60s. Tomorrow will be a mostly clear and toasty day. Behind the wave pushing through tonight, we will start to see rapid return flow spread east through Iowa tomorrow during the day. This will allow dewpoints to increase into the mid 60s, with some approaching near 70 in our northwest, where the best moisture flux is. This, combined with widespread temperatures in the upper 80s to 90, will allow for quite a warm day. Fortunately, bulk of the moisture doesn`t make it until later in the afternoon, with mixing and breezy southwest winds giving some relief as well. Thus, we will start to feel the more humid air work it`s way in during the afternoon and evening, but should be safe from the oppressive heat tomorrow. Another weak wave will pass through the area late on Wednesday, bringing the chance for more showers/storms, which will be discussed more below.
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&& .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
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Issued at 224 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 Wednesday Night... Weak wave approaching from the northwest through the evening and into the night, which will bring the potential for two rounds of convection Wednesday evening and then again after midnight. Moisture will once again be a limiting factor, with the best moisture along/north of a line from Fairfield to Dubuque Iowa. Also, the best forcing will be near this similar area, if not farther north. Thus, the window for best chances of strong to severe will be limited and confined to our northwest. As these storms continue to push southeast towards to the Quad Cities, we will see them quickly deteriorate as they move out of a good environment, mainly being rain and isolated thunder as they approach the metro. Latest guidance has pushed the wave a little farther north as well. If this trend continues, the threat will continue to go down, which may limit this to one main line of convection, where many remain dry. In either case, the confidence is low on the severe potential, but the footprint of rainfall will be a bit larger than the previous day, albeit low accumulation. Those along and north of Interstate 80 may see upwards to 0.25", with amounts dropping off south of the interstate. SPC also highlights our northwest in a Marginal Risk for Severe Weather once again tomorrow night and into Thursday morning, highlighting winds and hail as the main threats in any strong storms we see. Thursday... Cold front from the previous night will continue to pass south through the area on Thursday, which will allow for passing clouds and sun through the day. We are forecast to be quite warm, especially ahead of the front. This, collocated with higher moisture, will not only make it quite toasty, but also increase the instability ahead of the front. Thus, as we approach peak heating in the afternoon on Thursday, we may see storms erupt along it. Given location of the front and jet aloft, we will see a zone of shear ahead of the front, aiding in organization. Thus, some of these storms may become strong to severe. Although, forcing remains relatively low. In either case, the best chance to see these showers and storms will be along and south of Interstate 80, with the best chance for severe weather south of the interstate. In these areas, we do have a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather, with a Marginal risk up north towards Highway 20. All hazards will be in play on Thursday, with the primary threats being hail and winds. Moisture will be highest in our south, which will be collocated with the warmest temperatures. Thus, we may see some periods of heat index values between 90-100. Confidence is low on the need for any heat headlines, but we will continue messaging that it will be a hot day for much of the area, especially the south. Have plenty of water and sunscreen handy! Beyond... Incoming LLVL ridging under temporary northwesterly steering flow will make for some nice summer days Friday through Saturday, with the bulk of the warm-up being seen Saturday into Sunday. One of the failure modes for these very warm temperatures will be the track of the ridge-riding MCSs that result from this pattern. This would bring residual cloud cover and convection in the mornings, shunting much of the morning heating. Although, if we fall south of that track, we will fall under that dome of hot air. Guidance remains quite aggressive with the heat this weekend into next week, showing widespread low-mid 90s. If this ends up being the case, some heat headlines may be necessary. Although, much uncertainty exists and will refrain from any further details. Have plenty of water and sunscreen handy!
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&& .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1223 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with breezy southwesterly winds through the day, becoming light tonight. There will be a chance for showers/storms late this afternoon and evening, but confidence remains low on coverage, let alone the potential. Best chances will be seen at CID and DBQ. Thus, mention has been left out of the TAFs for the time being. No sig wx is expected at this time. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel AVIATION...Gunkel