Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND

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150 FXUS63 KBIS 171926 AFDBIS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 226 PM CDT Mon Jun 17 2024 .KEY MESSAGES...
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- Widespread showers with isolated to scattered thunderstorms later this afternoon through Tuesday. - Isolated to scattered severe storms possible this evening through tonight, with expected hazards of hail up to golf ball size and winds up to 60 mph. Very heavy rainfall is also possible with any storm, possibly resulting in localized flooding. - Below normal temperatures expected Tuesday and Tuesday night, followed by temperatures trending warmer and another active period developing for later this week.
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&& .DISCUSSION...
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Issued at 215 PM CDT Mon Jun 17 2024 Currently, strong southwest flow aloft with a 90-100kt upper level jet aloft. Mid level low/S/WV trough moving into the Montana Rockies, with multiple lead embedded waves moving across the Dakotas today, resulting in scattered showers and extensive cloudiness. Still only seeing trace amounts of moisture reported across the north underneath showers there, so don`t see the need to increase POPs much for the next few hours. Looking at two rounds of showers/storms over the next 12-18 hours, the first will be convection firing up to our southwest as increasing ascent develops east into the high plains (currently clear and becoming unstable), with this activity then quickly moving/developing to the northeast into western ND this evening. The overall severe threat will be limited with minimal instability projected, though with 60-80 knots of 0-6km shear, a few organized updrafts can`t be ruled out, hence the Marginal Outlook being maintained. Northwest ND looks to see the heavier rainfall amounts, upwards to an inch and half. Given the limited strength expected and fast progression of storms, these amounts will likely fall over a few hours vs. several minutes, so do not anticipate any hydro issues northwest. Second round of convection looks to originate across South Dakota (possibly far southern ND) mid to late evening, as the aforementioned forcing continues east and interacts with increasing MUCAPE developing from south to north across SD and into parts of south central and southeastern ND. 0-6km shear not as robust, but still in the 40-50 kt range so can`t rule out a few large hail producers. It does appear that the threat for heavy rain and localized flooding is becoming an elevated concern, with PWATs nearing max climatology values of 1.5". Thus will continue to mention this in our messaging (HWO and social media). Much cooler air is pulled south across the Northern Plains in the above S/WV`s wake, with highs Tuesday ranging from the 50s northwest to around 70 in the far southeast. Overnight lows Tuesday night/Wed morning continue to be a closely looked at, with NBM continuing its cooling trend with now widespread mid/upper 30s across the west. For now, will not mention frost but will def need to keep an eye on this period over the next 24-36 hours. We never really get out of the active west/southwest flow pattern, but precipitation chances looks more isolated through Thursday, until we trend more active later this week as models bring in more defined waves into our local region. Temperatures will also trend slightly warmer Wed-Fri, then more-so later this weekend into early next week.
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&& .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1231 PM CDT Mon Jun 17 2024 VFR ceilings and visibility at all terminals early this afternoon. A few scattered showers north, though cloud bases remain elevated so little reaching the ground. Ceilings will begin to drop later this afternoon into this evening along with chances for showers and thunderstorms increasing through the evening and early overnight hours. A few strong to severe storms will be possible across south central and southeastern North Dakota, with more shower activity and VCTS elsewhere. Widespread MVFR to LIFR visibilities and ceilings are forecast, along with some terminals occasionally observing LIFR ceilings. Winds will remain moderate from the east at 10 to 15 knots and gusts up to 25 knots at all terminals through early Tuesday morning, before diminishing and turning northerly through the end of the TAF period. Where thunderstorms to develop, gusty and erratic winds are anticipated. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...NH AVIATION...NH