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000
FXUS63 KTOP 221945
AFDTOP

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Topeka KS
245 PM CDT Mon Apr 22 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong south-southwest winds continue this afternoon. A Wind Advisory
  remains in effect through 6pm for portions of central and
  northeast Kansas.

- Showers and a few thunderstorms move through this evening and
  overnight for areas along and north of Interstate 70. No
  severe weather is expected.

- Unsettle pattern sets up Thursday into the weekend with
  several rounds of thunderstorms, including the potential for
  severe weather Thursday through Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 245 PM CDT Mon Apr 22 2024

Upper-level flow has become quasi-zonal across the Central Plains
this afternoon with a closed low progressing southeast out of
Saskatchewan. A tightening pressure gradient has led to a windy day
with gusts of 35-50mph observed this afternoon. Strong WAA has
boosted temperatures into the 70s across the area. Gusts largely
subside after sunset as a weak surface boundary approaches the area
from the north. A subtle mid-level perturbation advances east along
the KS/NE stateline this evening and overnight with sufficient lift
and moisture to generate some showers and a few thunderstorms.
Models have trended a bit farther south with this activity, although
best chances (50-60%) for rain remain along the KS/NE border.

The surface front swings through the area during the morning hours
on Tuesday with winds switching to the north. The post-frontal
airmass is only slightly cooler and highs will reach the 70s again
Tuesday afternoon. Surface high pressure moves in from the north on
Wednesday as a couple of weak perturbations transgress the central
CONUS. With low-level dry air in place, precipitation chances are
slim (15-25%) during the day Wednesday; both the GFS and ECMWF have
trended drier for the daytime hours as well.

A period of unsettled weather begins Thursday as a potent wave
approaches the Plains. Southerly flow shunts a warm front northward
through the day Thursday and PoPs increase as a lead wave in
the southwest flow ejects across the Plains. Following closely
behind is a second wave, potentially negatively tilted, that
progresses through on Friday. With the surface low lifting into
central Nebraska, the warm sector will reside across eastern
Kansas with a dryline extending southward across Kansas by
midday Friday. Differences in deterministic guidance remain
rather large in timing and location of synoptic features, but
the overall shear/CAPE environment would be supportive of severe
weather, especially Friday. Details will become clearer as the
event approaches, so be sure to stay up to date with the latest
forecast. Another trough is progged to eject across the Plains
this weekend, keeping chances for showers and storms in the
forecast through Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1239 PM CDT Mon Apr 22 2024

VFR conditions expected. South-southwest winds remain strong
with gusts of 30-35kt through the afternoon. Winds weaken with
sunset, but remain elevated with sustained winds of 15-20kts and
occasional 20-25kt gusts. A 50-55kt low-level jet develops
overnight which could lead to a period of LLWS from 05-09z,
especially if surface winds are weaker than is forecast. Winds
switch to the north behind a front Tuesday morning.

&&

.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 6 PM CDT this evening for KSZ009-KSZ010-
KSZ011-KSZ012-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ023-KSZ024-KSZ034-KSZ035-
KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Flanagan
AVIATION...Flanagan