Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Quad Cities, IA IL
Issued by NWS Quad Cities, IA IL
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721 FXUS63 KDVN 201126 AFDDVN Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 626 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026 ...Updated for 12z Aviation... .KEY MESSAGES... - There will be the chance for fog through the remainder of tonight into Thursday morning, especially for areas south of Interstate 80. Elsewhere, patchy dense fog is possible, especially in river valleys. - Another system will pass through the area Friday, bringing the chance for afternoon showers/storms along a passing cold front. A few stronger storms are possible. - A stretch of quiet and mostly dry weather will be seen this weekend and into next week, with seasonal temperatures. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 135 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Once again, we will see the potential for fog through the remainder of tonight into Thursday morning. Short term guidance has not been picking up on this too much, so there remains some uncertainty. We will continue to see clouds clear out from northwest to southeast through tonight, with light winds and a boundary draped just south of the area. Recent rainfall in our south will also allow for readily available moisture near the surface as well. Thus, these conditions would be favorable for fog development, especially with surface high pressure over our north. There remains uncertainty on how dense and widespread the fog will be, but river valleys and areas with recent rainfall will be first in line, especially south of Interstate 80. Surface high pressure will pass overhead through the day today, bringing along quite a pleasant day. Temperatures will remain seasonal, with lower humidity and a light breeze making it feel quite comfortable. Mostly clear skies will remain through the day, with increasing cloud cover this evening and through tonight. These increasing clouds will be in response to increasing moisture ahead of an approaching shortwave. Overall, this will be a weak wave, with little forcing and limited moisture. Much uncertainty exists on us seeing much precipitation overnight, as the surface front is not forecast to come through until Friday. Thus, lacking surface forcing will make it difficult to get much precipitation. If we do see anything, they should largely be light showers and confined to our northwest where the better moisture and forcing will reside. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 135 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Friday, we will see the chance for showers/storms increase through the day. Much of the aforementioned wave will have moved off, with the low-end risk (20-30% chance) for residual showers into mid morning. From there, the next bout of energy is forecast to pass through the area midday. This will be a compact and low amplitude shortwave trof, dragging a cold front through the area Friday afternoon/evening. With little convective debris expected that morning, we should see a mix of clouds and sun, allowing us to build instability through the day. Guidance favors anywhere between 2000- 3000 J/kg of CAPE to develop through the afternoon, with sufficient lapse rates and forcing to favor the development of afternoon storms along the cold front. The deep layer shear is forecast to be relatively meager, roughly ranging between 25-30 KTs. Thus, storm organization will be difficult, but not impossible. If we manage to get storms to organize, there will be the chance for a few stronger storms in the afternoon. A look at model soundings would largely favor wind gusts being the main threat, but confidence is low on this currently. Overall, forcing and moisture content are not the best. Thus, the threat would be isolated-scattered and focused along the passing cold front through the afternoon and early evening. Another limiting factor would be any AM convective debris that could limit destabilization. Thus, plenty of uncertainty and will be something to keep an eye on for future forecast updates. Through the remainder of the forecast period, we will remain dominated by upper level northwest flow. This will continue to usher shortwaves through the area, but this pattern is not favorable for much moisture return. Thus, precipitation chances will remain limited through this timeframe, with passing clouds and shifting winds being the main signs of the passing waves. After Friday night, precipitation chances are limited until the middle of next week. Thus, enjoy this stretch of seasonal temperatures and dry weather! && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 620 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Patchy fog with variable visibility from LIFR to MVFR along with IFR/LIFR stratus will impact BRL at the start of the TAF cycle. Brief MVFR visibility reductions can`t be ruled out at the other sites with sunrise. Thereafter, stratocu with lower MVFR bases may develop, especially at BRL, and eventually lift to VFR and decrease by afternoon with drier air on NE flow just off the surface. Winds at the surface look to be light and variable today, and then will turn predominantly from the SSE tonight ahead of an approaching cold front. There is a chance for a shower or storm toward the end of the period, particularly near DBQ and CID, but being the last 6 hours and lower confidence I have left out any mention. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel AVIATION...McClure