Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
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802 FXUS63 KTOP 151948 AFDTOP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 248 PM CDT Wed May 15 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... -Following rain today, thunderstorms are expected to redevelop this evening into tonight. Quarter sized hail and damaging wind gusts remain possible with stronger storms. -A brief stretch of dry weather is expected for most of the area Thursday-Saturday. -An active pattern could then bring additional rounds of storms late in the weekend and early next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 243 PM CDT Wed May 15 2024 This afternoon, a subtle shortwave trough, possibly induced by the weak MCV from this morning, in the mid-level flow appears to be passing over far northeast KS, and advancing to the northeast. Scattered storms had continued to develop midday, where some weak isentropic lift was also evident. Thus, have maintained POPs through the afternoon with the highest chances near and north of I-70. Attention then turns to the possibility of additional thunderstorm development this evening. Surface obs at 19Z show low pressure centered over eastern SD with a cold front stretching southward through eastern NE, central KS and into the TX panhandle. Moisture has been slowly increasing in far eastern KS through the day, with dew points now in the low to mid 60s. Mesoanalysis shows between 500 and 1000 J/kg over much of the area at 19Z. Instability is likely to increase a bit more to around 1000 to 1500 J/kg, and bulk shear values are expected to increase to around 40-45 kts as lift also increases with the approach of an upper trough and the surface front this evening. CAMs agree on the development of thunderstorms in north-central KS this evening, with storms moving eastward through the area into the nighttime hours. Given the environment, a few storms are still expected to be capable to quarter sized hail and damaging wind gusts. The surface front will slowly move eastward tonight and should be located across east-central KS tomorrow morning. As rain ends from west to east, low clouds and fog are likely to develop for the early morning hours of Thursday. Have slight chance POPs continuing ahead of the boundary tomorrow, with the rest of the area staying dry. A mid level low currently over Baja California will be the next one to watch for the possibility of more rain on Friday, at least for east- central KS. Most models move that through the south-central CONUS as an open wave, while the GFS remains the outlier showing a more compact, closed low solution. Will keep POPs in the 25-35 percent range for now for area near and south of the Kansas Turnpike. A progressive pattern looks to bring another front into the forecast area on Saturday. However, fropa is expected to be dry with the main system and forcing well north of the area. A better setup for the return of possible severe weather could then occur later in the weekend and early next week when a shortwave trough moves overhead within southwest flow aloft. Some models show low pressure deepening over KS with a warm front setting up near or within the forecast area by late Sunday. A more amplified trough could then impact the region on Tuesday with another round of stormy weather possible. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1234 PM CDT Wed May 15 2024 Scattered showers will impact airports for the first hour or so of the 18Z TAF period before rain is expected to move east. Additional shower and thunderstorm development is then possible this evening into early tonight. Have included mention of precip during the most likely timeframe in TAFs. Once rain exits tonight, MVFR and possible IFR CIGS looks to settle in, with some fog development also looking likely into Thursday morning. Improvement is expected by the end of this period. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Teefey AVIATION...Teefey