Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Quad Cities, IA IL

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689 FXUS63 KDVN 021744 AFDDVN Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 1244 PM CDT Thu May 2 2024 ...Updated for 18z Aviation... .KEY MESSAGES... - Upper level pattern remains active, with periodic chances for showers and storms through next week. - There is the risk for heavy rain and a Marginal Risk for Severe Weather today and into this evening. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 247 AM CDT Thu May 2 2024 A mild and wet day is expected throughout the forecast area today, as a slow moving upper low passes north of the area. At the surface, warm advection showers and storms will start the day, as the warm front associated with the surface low passes through the area. With that, the surface low will track southwest to northeast, skimming our far northwest. Cold front will also pass through late this afternoon and evening, which will be another focus for further showers/storms this afternoon and evening. PWATs between 1.25-1.50" will be seen in a narrow axis along and west of the Mississippi River, which will serve as a corridor for heavier rainfall. These areas may see anywhere between 0.75-1.50" of rain, with locally higher amounts possible. While we have a Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall in these areas, our confidence remains low on the flash flood threat, as these areas are abnormally dry or in drought. Thus, the ground should be able to easily soak up much of the rain. Main areas that may see some impacts will be urban centers. We will have a low-end severe risk as well, with the SPC highlighting our whole area in a Marginal Risk (level 1/5). Confidence in this is low at the moment, with our focus being on areas along/east of the Mississippi River seeing the best chance for any strong to severe. Instability will be lacking throughout the area, as dense cloud cover and rainfall will be seen through much of the morning. Areas east of the Mississippi will miss out on much of the rain early on, which may allow them to build more instability. If we can get that, the shear is more than sufficient to favor strong to severe storms. If we end up seeing strong/severe storms, main hazards will be wind and hail, with the tornado threat being secondary. Much of these showers and storms will continue into the evening, decreasing in coverage from west to east overnight. Much of the area should be free of rain by sunrise Friday. Temperatures overnight will stay relatively mild, with most in the 50s, thanks to residual cloud cover moderating the temperatures. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 247 AM CDT Thu May 2 2024 Pattern remains active through at least the first half of the long term period. Upper wave from Thursday continues to trek northeast through the northern Great Lakes, with another wave digging south into the area on Saturday. Much of Friday appears to remain dry after the bulk of the precipitation pushes east, with more showers and isolated storms approaching the area Saturday. Severe weather is not expected Saturday. Rather, it is looking to be a gloomy day, with light rain. The next system to bring heavier rain and storms will be early next week, as a deepening wave over the Rockies pushes into the Plains, becoming negatively tilted and quickly punching through the Upper Midwest Monday night. Although, that trough of low pressure stalls over the northern US, slowing filling in and weakening. While that remains north of the area, bouts of energy passing through may bring the chance for persistent showers and gloomy conditions. There is much uncertainty with how this will play out, generally given the lacking moisture. While this does not seem to be a washout by any means, there will be nearly daily chances for precipitation next week, with plenty of dry periods in the mix as well. Temperatures next week will be similar to what we are seeing now, with much of the area remaining in the 70s to low 80s. Thus, aside from the rain chances, it should be a nice week! && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
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Issued at 1233 PM CDT Thu May 2 2024 An active TAF period is in store for the area thanks to a nearby cold front and an approaching disturbance aloft. Rain showers currently in the KCID/KDBQ vicinities will give way to renewed shower and storm development areawide in the next 2-4 hours, with impacts expected mainly expected at KMLI/KBRL (TEMPO groups have been included in this forecast). Conditions will deteriorate to MVFR, with heavier showers and storms bringing brief drops to IFR. There is a low risk that these storms will be severe, with the primary risks being variable wind gusts around 40-45 kts and large hail. These storms will move east by 03.00z, with leftover MVFR rain showers and ceilings along the front persisting through the evening hours. Conditions will improve to VFR after 03.06z, with gusty winds decreasing and veering to the north. For Friday morning, latest CAMs are hinting at fog development at KCID/KDBQ thanks to leftover moisture from rains from this morning. However, this is low confidence, so have only introduced a brief drop to MVFR visibilities. Look for more detail in this from later shifts.
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&& .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel AVIATION...Speck