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000
FXUS63 KGLD 172027
AFDGLD

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
227 PM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018

.UPDATE...
Issued at 949 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018

Based on latest data have upgraded the high wind watch to a
warning and extended the high wind warning to last until 9z or 3
AM MT. No change to the red flag warning.

Latest data shows high winds moving both this afternoon behind the
warm front and later on behind the cold front that will enter the
forecast area early this evening. During the afternoon the high
winds will be most favorable west of Highway 25 as a very strong
low level jet follows the warm front east into the forecast area
and mixes to the ground. This evening a cold front will move in
from the west. As the cold front moves through a mixed layer will
form, allowing the very strong low level jet behind the cold front
to mix to the ground. Meanwhile the base of the upper level
trough will be over the forecast area this evening, shifting east
of the forecast area after midnight. The subsidence from the base
of the trough over the forecast area this evening will help to
further channel the winds to the ground.

Due to the base of the trough not shifting east of the forecast
area until after midnight, have extended the high wind warning
past midnight. For simplicity have the entire high wind warning
lasting past midnight. During the evening the threat for high
winds will shift east out of East Central Colorado. Will let the
next shift trim the high wind warning as needed.

There is still a threat for blowing dust with these high winds.
Not sure how much of a role the recent snow will have in regard to
keeping the ground damp enough to inhibit blowing dust. Since
there was a good deal of ground blown clean during the blizzard,
that ground is likely dry by now. Am thinking the snow will have
helped alleviate some of the threat for blowing dust, but not
completely removed it. Due to high winds expected to last into the
night, also believe the blowing dust threat will last into the
night.

The red flag warning is in good shape based on latest data. There
was some concern that the red flag warning may need to be extended
further east. However relative humidity values begin to increase
as the drier air moves east past the red flag warning area.
Despite some counties not being in the red flag warning, the lower
relative humidity values of 20-30% and high winds will lead to
dangerous fire weather conditions this evening.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Thursday)
Issued at 400 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018

A warm front will lift out of Colorado this morning as a surface
low deepens near Cheyenne, Wyoming, in response to a negatively
tilted shortwave trough moving out of the central Rockies.
Southwest winds will rapidly increase in the warm sector, with
gusts up to 60 mph. In conjunction with the gusty winds, relative
humidity will drop to less than 10 percent and SPC has highlighted
the area generally south of I70 as extremely critical for fire
weather, meaning explosive fire growth will be possible, while
areas just to the north and east of the extreme area will see
critical fire weather conditions. Finally, areas of blowing dust
may develop as well, with the usual threats of reduced visibility
and hazardous travel along the interstate and highways. A cold
front will move through during the late afternoon to early evening
hours, with winds shifting to northwest and continued gusty,
diminishing by late in the evening. Areas to the east may
experience a brief period of gusty winds with the cold front this
evening, so left a High Wind Watch intact there, with all other
areas upgraded to warnings for wind and fire weather. High
temperatures will top out in the low to mid 80s in the warm
sector, with 70s elsewhere.

Shortwave ridge will build over the area for Wednesday. Elevated
fire weather conditions are anticipated due to gusty northwest
winds and relative humidity as low as 20 percent. Do not think
there will be any critical areas. Otherwise, it will be mostly
sunny and cooler with high temperatures in the upper 50s to lower
60s.

Next system will dig into the Four Corners region on Thursday and
become a cut off low. Gusty southeast winds will develop by the
afternoon between high pressure to the east and falling pressures
in the Rockies. High temperatures will be in the middle to upper
60s. Will see low chances for rain showers developing late
Thursday night with weak impulses embedded in the southwest flow
ahead of the main low which will slowly approach the southern
Rockies.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 227 PM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018

In the extended(Wednesday Night through Tuesday)...
Active weather pattern is expected for the period as another
strong H5 low is expected to sweep across the area with favored
track taking it to the south of the CWA, putting area in favorable
area for significant precipitation. Best chances look to be on
Friday and Friday night before low begins to dig to the south and
away from the area. Overall current forecast looked pretty good
with only marginal changes needed to overall timing and PoPs.

Probably the most pressing concern will be whether or not precip
will change from rain to snow across the area. Last 4 cycles of
GEFS ensemble data indicates precipitation should stay rain across
all but the western fringes of CWA and even there the rain seems
to dominant weather type. Given the broad area of southeasterly
flow, will be tough for cold air to overspread area fast enough to
result in any significant accumulations and feel confident that
overall winter threat will be small.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1139 AM MDT Tue Apr 17 2018

VFR conditions expected for the TAFs. Main concern will be the
high winds expected. The high winds may create some blowing dust
which could reduce visibility to MVFR conditions or lower. The
recent snow will have helped limit the blowing dust to some
extent, but not eliminated the threat. The high winds will be
most likely when the winds turn to the northwest. During the night
there will be some LLWS at both sites.


&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...High Wind Warning until 3 AM MDT /4 AM CDT/ Wednesday for KSZ001-
     002-013-014-027-028-041-042.

     Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT /9 PM CDT/ this evening for
     KSZ001-002-013-014-027>029-041-042.

     High Wind Warning from 7 PM this evening to 4 AM CDT Wednesday
     for KSZ003-004-015-016-029.

CO...High Wind Warning until 3 AM MDT Wednesday for COZ090>092.

     Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ252>254.

NE...High Wind Warning until 3 AM MDT /4 AM CDT/ Wednesday for NEZ079-
     080.

     Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT /9 PM CDT/ this evening for
     NEZ079-080.

     High Wind Warning from 7 PM this evening to 4 AM CDT Wednesday
     for NEZ081.

&&

$$

UPDATE...JTL
SHORT TERM...ERRYK
LONG TERM...JRM
AVIATION...JTL