Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND
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842 FXUS63 KFGF 111928 AFDFGF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 228 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible tomorrow afternoon in northwest Minnesota. Significant hail (2+") and damaging wind gusts (up to 70 mph) are possible. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 ...Synopsis... Surface analysis at 18z indicates the center of the low that brought us rain over southern Manitoba and Ontario. A relatively enhanced region of a stronger pressure gradient has developed on the backside of this low as a result, and is giving us sustained winds between 20-30 mph. Winds will diminish as this low continues to exit the region through the day today, so headlines are not likely (5% chance of Wind Advisory). A progressive shortwave trough will sweep through zonal flow aloft tomorrow afternoon, bringing the potential for severe thunderstorm development. There are a myriad of uncertainties outlined below, but at this point in time expect the potential for severe thunderstorms in northwest Minnesota. Upper air flow towards late week shifts to northwesterly as an intensifying ridge sets in. This should keep us quiet at least through Friday until southwesterly flow replaces it and gives us increased chances for widespread rainfall. How much rain falls is dependent on intensity and track of the system, of which ensembles are significantly struggling to get a handle on. At this point in time, NAEFS percentiles do have an enhanced corridor of IVT in the 99th percentile across the northern plains from South Dakota to SW Minnesota with diminishing probabilities radially away. This gives us solid confidence in a more widespread rain event but also the potential for more focused moisture advection across the northern plains. After this system, ensemble guidance falls apart and predictability for impacts next week is low. There is a strong signal for another wave to move through early next week, although the potential range of outcomes is very wide and predictability needs to increase to ascertain potential impacts. ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW... A rather complex convective scenario is expected to develop across the region tomorrow. In advance of a progressive shortwave trough (centered over the Pacific Northwest per WV satellite), a modest 850mb low level jet is expected to provide meaningful moisture advection to the area overnight tonight into tomorrow morning. Elevated convection is likely to develop with this low level jet, but at this point in time the most likely zone of this occurring is south of the area. As we progress through the morning and early afternoon, strong theta-e advection in advance of the surface low propagating through the southern Canadian Prairie will create a surface theta-e boundary. This will serve as the initiating boundary for convection tomorrow afternoon. Hodographs along the initiating boundary are effectively straight but have ample deep layer shear (exceeding 50 knots thanks to a strong 250mb jet) to facilitate supercell development. Both mean wind and Bunkers right vectors are effectively parallel to the initiating boundary so initial discrete mode should be anticipated. Within supercells that remain discrete, strong CAPE within the hail growth zone coupled with modest storm-relative flow will allow for significant hail to develop. With strong vertical mixing anticipated tomorrow as well, it is very likely we will see very cold RFDs from any supercells so the potential for wind to 70 mph is also there. With the cooler RFD potential and straight hodographs facilitating splitting, there is the potential for upscale growth/clustering to develop. If this does occur in our area, expect the potential for significant hail to increase as updraft width increases. An attendant stronger wind threat may develop although confidence is low due to the potential for fast developing surface inversions from outflow/RFD. Lastly, the tornado threat tomorrow should remain fairly limited. Very deep vertical mixing and drier profiles (LCLs approaching 1500m) should make it difficult for a tornado threat to arise. Additionally, streamwise vorticity in the lowest 1 km is very limited except where guidance has a more zonal component of the theta-e gradient in southern Manitoba. Here winds become more backed at the surface, allowing for slightly better streamwise vorticity. The potential for significant tornadoes should be kept to a minimum thanks to very poor thermodynamics. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1213 PM CDT Tue Jun 11 2024 VFR ceilings will prevail for the TAF period, with isolated MVFR for all TAF sites except FAR possible through 00z. After that, winds will diminish this evening and skies will remain VFR. Low level wind shear will arise after 06z and last through at least 14z. Thunderstorms may develop around 16-18z near GFK/FAR but confidence is too low to add TSRA to the TAF. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Perroux AVIATION...Perroux