Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
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155 FXUS63 KTOP 290954 AFDTOP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 354 AM CST Sat Nov 29 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... -Today`s system brings rain, the possibility of isolated lightning, a switch to snow, and very windy conditions. -Wind chills drop to single digits tonight as a very cold air mass moves into the area. -A batch of snow could bring one to three inches to portions of northeast KS on Monday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 349 AM CST Sat Nov 29 2025 This morning, low pressure is moving through southern and southeastern KS ahead of a mid-level open wave trough axis. Warm air advection east of the low is allowing temperatures to remain above freezing, or to warm to just above freezing in far northern KS, while scattered showers become more numerous across the area. That will remain the case until the low moves into Missouri and strong northwest winds usher in colder temperatures from west to east late this morning and early this afternoon. There should be a quick transition to snow when the colder air arrives, with possibly just a brief period of mixed precipitation. Snow amounts will be limited due to the progressive nature of the system and as dry air also moves in with the cooler temps. Have maintained the forecast of around half an inch of snow accumulation in far northern KS and a trace of snow closer to I-70. Also, before a few snowflakes arrive near and south of the Kansas Turnpike, a few isolated lightning strikes cannot be ruled out with forecast soundings showing around 200 J/kg of MUCAPE. Total QPF is between a half and one inch of liquid precipitation today. Northwest winds quickly increase behind the low, sustained between 15 and 30 mph, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph. A Wind Advisory is in effect where gusts of 45 mph are expected, mainly across central and southeastern KS. Went ahead and added Coffey and Anderson Counties to the advisory with this forecast package. Winds will subside this evening and tonight as the storm system moves into the Great Lakes region. Attention then turns to the frigid temperatures that arrive as high pressure moves in from Canada. Temperatures tonight are expected to drop into teens with wind chills in the single digits by sunrise on Sunday. The cold air mass will remain in place as the next mid-level trough moves over the area on Monday. Models continue to show a batch of snow developing with that next wave. The LREF Grand Ensemble has mean liquid QPF between a tenth and two-tenths of an inch. With snow to liquid ratios around 15:1, that could result in one to three inches of snow focused around and north of I-70. Some model trends are showing the main band of snow further north, so will have to watch trends in the coming days. Dry weather is then expected for the rest of the week with temperatures warming slightly but remaining below average for early December. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1037 PM CST Fri Nov 28 2025 The forecast remains mostly on track for the 06Z forecast. However, have delayed the onset of lower Cigs slightly more into the core of the overnight period. The first round of -SHRA and even some embedded sleet has been shifting east of the terminals. Expect that -DZ will now spread across the area in advance the main storm system west of the region. As the system intensifies, winds will generally continue to increase. Radar profiler data suggest that marginal LLWS both directionally and speed are in place so have continued mention in the TAFs. Still expect a period of IFR dropping to LIFR at times into sunrise and through mid-morning. Winds increase from the NW into late morning and through the afternoon with improving Cig/Vis as dry air mixes in with the colder airmass behind the front and into the last 6hrs of the period, skies may actually clear completely. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for KSZ008-KSZ009-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ034-KSZ035-KSZ036- KSZ037-KSZ054-KSZ058-KSZ059. && $$ DISCUSSION...Teefey AVIATION...Drake