Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

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471 FXUS63 KUNR 300447 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 1047 PM MDT Mon Apr 29 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Near to above average temperatures through Wednesday, with chances for showers and gusty winds tonight into Tuesday. - Cooler and unsettled weather develops for the latter part of the week into the first half of the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Monday) Issued at 300 PM MDT Mon Apr 29 2024 Current surface analysis shows warm front moving slowly east across western SD this afternoon, with a cold front trailing across eastern MT and western WY. Upper level analysis shows low pressure over northern MN, with another across southern BC. Near zonal flow is in place across the Rockies to the high Plains. Skies are partly to mostly sunny. Isolated light showers have developed mostly over the Black Hills area into far northeast WY. Temps are much milder this afternoon compared to the last couple of days, 60s in most areas, some 50s across the higher Black Hills. Winds are westerly and relatively light in most areas, with variable winds across portions of southwest SD. Mostly seasonable temperatures and unsettled weather at times for much of the week. Upper level system to the northwest of the region will track mostly east near and along the US/Canadian border through midweek, with west-southwest flow over the northern Rockies into the northern Plains. The cold front to the west will push through the area later tonight and early Tuesday, along with shortwave energy aloft, bringing increasing chances for showers overnight and Tuesday morning. A little light snow could develop across the higher Black Hills early Tuesday. Pcpn amounts look to be pretty light, with the chances for a tenth of an inch or more rather low in most areas, less than 30 percent. Gusty west to northwest winds will develop behind the front on Tuesday, especially across the northwest into west central SD plains, where some gusts around 45 mph are expected. Will let mid shift decide if a wind advisory is needed for any of these areas. Behind the front, much drier air will push into the area from the west on Tuesday, with humidities dropping to 15 to 25 percent in most areas. This could result in a period of elevated fire weather conditions, especially across northwest SD where it has been drier of late. As the upper low moves north of the area on Wednesday, the next shortwave swings through to the south and will bring more chances for showers, mainly later Wednesday into Thursday. A few thunderstorms are possible, especially across south central SD. Medium range models have come into better agreement on the track, with the better chances for pcpn generally across the Black Hills area and southern SD. There is potential for at least light accumulations of snow over the highest Black Hills Wednesday night into Thursday, with some snow mixing in as well over the higher elevations of northeast WY. Some cooler air is expected late week, with near to slightly below average temperatures through Saturday. Another upper level disturbance could bring some showers Friday into early Saturday as well. At this point, much of the weekend looks dry as a shortwave ridge moves over the area, with a warmup to above average temps for Sunday. However, another upper level system could approach the area toward the end of the weekend or early next week, with chances for showers and possible thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...
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(For the 06Z TAFS Through 06Z Tuesday Night) Issued At 1045 PM MDT Mon Apr 29 2024 Isolated light rain showers will move back into the area overnight into Tuesday morning. Mainly VFR conditions are expected through 09z Tuesday morning. After 09z Tuesday, an area of MVFR CIGS will move into northeastern WY and northwestern SD along with a cold front. Gusty west to northwest winds will develop over the area after 10Z Tuesday and will continue into the afternoon.
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&& .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...26 AVIATION...15