988
FXUS63 KUNR 011136
AFDUNR

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
536 AM MDT Thu Oct 1 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Near or slightly above normal through the forecast period.

- Mostly dry conditions expected the remainder of the week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 925 PM MDT Wed Sep 30 2026

Satellite shows tropical remnants spinning over the southern
Great Plains and shedding thick clouds over most of South Dakota.
Surface analysis depicts a weak cold front positioned from the
southern Black Hills to the northeast corner of SD, bringing temps
in the low 50s to the region tonight. No changes are needed for
the forecast. Precip chances remain low and focused over the Black
Hills and far northwestern SD. Clouds will linger well into
Thursday and keep temps in the 60s.

&&

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Wednesday)
Issued at 227 PM MDT Wed Sep 30 2026

Current Water Vapor and upper air models show near zonal flow
aloft, with an upper low located over the four corners region.
20Z surface analysis shows high pressure centered over Wyoming
this afternoon Satellite has some mid and high clouds reaching
into southwest and south central SD. Temperatures sit in the upper
60s and 70s, with generally light winds out of the northwest.
Little change to the overall pattern is expected through the
week, with near-zonal to northwest flow aloft hanging around.
Mostly dry conditions are expected as well. A cold front is
expected Thursday, dropping temperatures 15-20 degrees from today.
Limited moisture with this disturbance, but some light
precipitation will be possible Thursday into Thursday night.
Temperatures then warm up a bit for the first half of the weekend
before another boundary cools the region down again on Sunday.
Once again, with limited moisture advection, expect little to no
precipitation over the weekend. Early next week the upper ridge
builds over the western CONUS, prompting a rise in temperatures to
the 70s and low 80s for much of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS Through 12Z Friday Morning)
Issued At 526 AM MDT Thu Oct 1 2026

Light showers and overcast skies expected to continue to develop
over the region through this morning. Scattered MVFR/LCL IFR CIGs
may develop, especially over the Black Hills into northeastern
WY. Conditions will improve by the afternoon into the evening
hours. Winds expected to increase from the SE this evening,
especially across northeastern WY and southwestern SD where gusts
of 25-30KT are expected.

&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
WY...None.
&&

$$

UPDATE...Schweigert
DISCUSSION...Dye
AVIATION...Wong