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