


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS La Crosse, WI
Issued by NWS La Crosse, WI
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
966 FXUS63 KARX 311834 AFDARX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 134 PM CDT Sun Aug 31 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Mostly dry conditions through Monday with an isolated shower or storm possible for portions of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa, with the better chances remaining west of I-35. - The chances for widespread rain continues to increase (55 to 75%) for Tuesday into Wednesday as a cold front moves through the region. - Near-normal temperatures through Tuesday then below normal temperatures through the end of the week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 131 PM CDT Sun Aug 31 2025 Mostly Dry Early With Better Storm Chances Midweek A shortwave continues to move through the Central Plains bringing showers and storms to that area today and Monday. With the associated surface boundary southwest of the area, rain chances should largely stay out of our CWA, however cannot rule out a shower or storm for areas just east of I-35 in southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa this afternoon and Monday afternoon. Ahead of a longwave trough that dips down into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions, a shortwave comes into the Upper Midwest providing a chance of showers and storms Tuesday afternoon. As the trough comes down, a cold front will be associated with it. This will bring an increased chance for storms Tuesday night into Wednesday. There will be around 500 to 1000 J/kg of MLCAPE available to work with for Tuesday afternoon and evening as well as a little DCAPE, around 500 J/kg, a stronger storm could be possible if convection occurs with the shortwave before the cold fronts arrival. Current timing suggests the cold front arrives Tuesday night and makes its way through the CWA during the overnight. Storm chances continue to increase along the front (55 to 75%) for the forecast area. As instability wanes during the later evening and early overnight period, the thunderstorm potential decreases. PWATs with this system are roughly between 1 and 1.25" and with the quick progression of the front, QPF values remain on the lower side. The most recent LREF has between a 40 to 75% chance for at least 0.25" falling with the higher amounts in central and northern Wisconsin. After this moves out, another cold front is set to move through on Thursday night bringing another rain chance. Seasonable Temperatures to Start the Week with Much Cooler Temperatures Midweek The beginning part of the week continues to remain quite seasonable with highs in the mid to upper 70s through Tuesday. Then as the longwave trough sweeps down, much cooler air will come with it. The 850mb temperatures, compared to the previous couple of days have come up slightly for Thursday in the deterministic models. They are now between -3C to 3C. This translates to high temperatures in the mid 50s to near 60F with morning low temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s. Temperatures will gradually warm up as the trough shifts eastward. Still, high temperatures are not expected to get back into the 70s until Sunday. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1229 PM CDT Sun Aug 31 2025 VFR conditions are expected throughout much of the TAF period with valley fog being possible tonight and into early Monday morning. Current RAP/HRRR/NAM soundings would suggest a fairly favorable light wind layer albeit with fairly dry dewpoint depressions. As a result, will need to monitor throughout the evening and overnight to see how dewpoint depressions trend. However, with the favorable light southeast wind at KLSE overnight, there are more parameters in favor of fog than against at this time so have included a 6sm BCFG group to address this potential from 10z to 14z. Otherwise, winds will generally remain light and from the southeast throughout much of the TAF period with few to sct sky cover at various levels throughout the TAF period. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Cecava AVIATION...Naylor