Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
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362 FXUS63 KUNR 021035 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 435 AM MDT Thu May 2 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... -Cool and unsettled through Friday -Breezy/windy and warmer this weekend -Strong storm early next week with windy/wet conditions. && .DISCUSSION...(Today Through Wednesday) Issued at 240 AM MDT Thu May 2 2024 Current surface map places weak cold front across western South Dakota. Scattered rain showers continue east of the Black Hills into northwestern South Dakota with some light snow in the Black Hills. Showers associated with shortwave rotating around southern Saskatchewan upper low. As shortwave continues to move east, most shower activity will be out of the area early this morning. With cyclonic flow around upper low and steep lapse rates with cold air aloft, shower activity returns this afternoon. Drying in low levels will limit rainfall amounts and promote gusty winds with the showers. Upper low shifts eastward today/tonight with another impulse rotating through Friday. Upper ridge builds across the Northern Plains this weekend as strong low digs through the western CONUS. Strong pressure gradient/pressure falls will favor gusty south winds over the weekend. Warmest day will be Sunday with highs mainly in the 70s. Low deepens across the Intermountain West and lifts into the Northern Plains early next week. Decent agreement with deterministic GFS/ECMWF/GEM with low over western North Dakota on Tuesday. Ensemble cluster analysis suggest above average confidence with that solution. Chance for shower/thunderstorms increase late Sunday into Monday when best QG forcing lifts through the area. With upper low north of the forecast area, the longer duration widespread precipitation will be further north/northwest. Tight pressure gradient should result in a period of strong winds Tuesday/Wednesday. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS Through 12Z Friday Morning) Issued At 431 AM MDT Thu May 2 2024 MVFR/IFR conditions in rain showers/low clouds across western and central SD will gradually improve to VFR later this morning as rain and clouds shift eastward. VFR conditions are then expected through the forecast period, with the exception being any brief MVFR conditions that develop near afternoon showers/storms. Northwest winds will be 15 to 25 kts. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...7 AVIATION...Pojorlie