Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Twin Cities, MN

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083 FXUS63 KMPX 012103 AFDMPX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 403 PM CDT Mon Jul 1 2024 .KEY MESSAGES...
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- Widespread showers and thunderstorms this evening through Tuesday. Locally heavy rainfall possible, primarily across southern Minnesota & western Wisconsin. - Thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall likely for the 4th of July
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&& .DISCUSSION...
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Issued at 355 PM CDT Mon Jul 1 2024 Current observations across much of our sites reporting breezy conditions out of the south-southeast ranging between 25-35 mph. Upper- level cirrus continues to spread in overhead out ahead of our next system that is approaching from the west. As mentioned in the previous discussion, a strengthening low level jet is a likely culprit to the showery activity beginning to show up on reflectivity early this afternoon across eastern SD and western MN. So far though, most rainfall does not appear to be reaching the ground likely due to dry air within the boundary layer. Temperatures this afternoon will reach the low to mid 70s. Tonight, upper-level troughing as well as a strengthening jet streak will reach the northern plains where WAA is strongest. Hi-Res forecast soundings showing PWATs of rich Gulf moisture exceeding 1.8" well into MN and WI. The convergence of these elements will create an environment able to provide widespread showers and a few thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall possible. Current timing window for development occurs this evening from west to east between 7-10 PM tonight. Although storms are possible, the past few model runs bring the greatest severe threat mainly across the Dakotas. However, a few storms in western MN could produce isolated large hail and damaging wind gusts. Latest forecasted QPF amounts through Tuesday morning show southeastern MN and WI counties along and south of the I-94 corridor having the greatest potential for observing between 1 to 1.25 inches of rain. Farther north and west across eastern MN and counties north of I-94 in WI could range between 0.75 inches to an 1 inch. Areas farther west can expect a half an inch or less. The system will be slow to exit Tuesday morning to our west as a cold front becomes occluded over northwestern MN. Therefore kept chance PoPs for much of Tuesday especially for both east and southern MN and western WI. Skies will gradually clear to where some sunshine peaks through for parts of western MN tomorrow afternoon. Tuesday`s highs temperatures will reach the lower 80s and then upper 70s across western WI where cloud cover will be more prevalent. Another shortwave associated with the larger troughing pattern ejects late Tuesday afternoon and could provide enough support for more showers/storm across southeastern MN and western WI. Wednesday will be warmer and potentially the nicest day of the entire week. Flow will become zonal above surface high pressure. Skies are forecast to be mostly clear with highs reaching the low to mid 80s. Thursday, a developing wave over the PacNorthwest is progged to strengthen over the upper midwest Thursday afternoon. We dont want to put any rain on the firework fuses but ensemble guidance isn`t giving us many "oohs or ahs" to marvel over in terms of dry conditions. NBM guidance continuing to show likely PoPs across much of upper midwest through the afternoon/evening hours. Ensemble guidance continues to hint at heavy rain potential with QPF amounts nearing an inch. Rain chances continue into the weekend however coverage will not be as widespread and heavy rain threats look to decrease.
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&& .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 123 PM CDT Mon Jul 1 2024 VFR with MVFR/IFR SHRA/TSRA likely late this evening into tonight through tomorrow morning. Scattered to broken ceilings are beginning to make their way into western MN this afternoon out ahead of our next system that will provide SHRA/TSRA across all terminals tonight from west to east. Breezy SSE`ly winds will range between 20- 30kts this afternoon before weakening some to 15-25kts overnight. IFR stratus is likely along with trailing scattered -SHRA in wake of the passing system. Winds will shift to SW and not as strong between 10- 15kts tomorrow morning although cigs reluctant to budge out of IFR categories for the remainder of the TAF period. KMSP...VFR to start then transitioning to MVFR to IFR categories overnight as -SHRA/TSRA arrive. Current hi-res guidance looks to have SHRA encroach on MSP as early as 2z with storms likely between 4 to 8z. Scattered SHRA is possible in wake of the system passing until about 12z. Low MVFR/IFR cigs will remain in place through the rest of the period. SSE`ly winds remaining breezy this afternoon with gusts nearing 30kts but should begin to decrease after sunset to near 20kts. Winds shift and decrease between 10-15kts out of the SW late tomorrow morning. A slight chance for -TSRA was hinted in the guidance late afternoon hence the PROB30 from 22/24z. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ WED...VFR.Wind WSW M10-15G20 kts. THU...VFR. PM MVFR SHRA/TSRA.Wind SE 5-10 kts FRI...MVFR SHRA/TSRA lkly. Wind NE 5-10 G15-20 && .MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Dunleavy AVIATION...Dunleavy