


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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839 FXUS63 KFSD 170825 AFDFSD Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 325 AM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Training thunderstorms over southwest Minnesota may result in localized flash flooding through early this morning. - Next chances for organized convection come by this evening into tonight with isolated strong to severe storms with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall. - Much quieter conditions likely return for much of the week bringing in lower dew points, near-normal temperatures, and limited precipitation chances. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 322 AM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025 A frontal boundary currently resides from roughly east central SD into southwestern MN very early this morning. Training thunderstorms have developed along this boundary during the overnight period - fed by moisture transport on a 20-25 kt low level jet. Will have to keep an eye on this area through the early morning hours for flash flooding potential. Models have the front continuing to lift slow to the northeast, being situated along our northern CWA border by 12Z. Related to that, the current convection should also lift northward with most hi-res guidance placing it to the north our area by that time. Another area of convection that developed over northwestern SD has been moving to the east/northeast, and all hi-res guidance now keeps this to the our northwest through the reminder of the night. For today, an upper level trough presently oriented through the western Dakotas and Nebraska will shift eastward into our area by this afternoon and evening - this as a cold front over central SD also begins to track eastward. While most guidance suggest only low chances for showers and storms through at least early afternoon, will see increasing chances for scattered thunderstorms by late afternoon/early evening as a shortwave lifts out of NE and into our area during that timeframe. Showers and thunderstorms then look to become more prevalent tonight as the main upper level trough swings through the region and a low level jet again strengthens from eastern NE into eastern SD. Although shear will be fairy weak (20-30 kts) and mid level lapse rates not overly impressive (6-7 C/KM), MUCAPE by afternoon and early evening will be running around 2500 to over 3000 J/KG. In light of that, cannot rule out isolated strong to severe storms with half dollar size hail and wind gusts of 60-70 mph with DCAPE of 1000-2000 J/KG depending on model of choice. At this time, the highest risk for thunderstorms will occur from approximately 6pm this evening to 3am tonight. It will be another hot and muggy day with highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s combined with dew points in the mid to upper 70s. This will yield afternoon heat index values in the lower 90s to around 100 - with the highest values south of interstate 90. Although some areas will near Heat Advisory criteria, with the uncertainty in regard to afternoon thunderstorm potential and its impact on temperatures, elected not to issue any headlines at this time. it will be another mild night tonight with lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s. The frontal boundary finally begins to push southward out of the area during the day on Monday. With that, shower chances should taper down during the day. While weak cold air advection begins to work into the area, it will still be a warm and muggy with highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s with dew points in the lower to mid 70s. With the frontal boundary sitting just to the south of our area on Monday night, some guidance would suggest showers and thunderstorms developing south of Interstate 90 as another shortwave tracks through the area. Confidence is low however, with models varying on how far south the activity develops - with some keeping it to the south of our CWA. Severe chances look low with the better instability migrating southward and shear looking meager. For Tuesday into next weekend, the upper level flow over our area transitions to northwesterly as an upper level ridge builds through the Rockies. This pattern looks to bring quieter conditions to our area through at least midweek. Along with that, temperatures settle back closer to typical seasonal averages. By the end of the week, an upper level trough over western Canada shifts east, flattening out the aforementioned ridge. This trough shifts into the Northern Plains toward Friday, with the surface reflection trough/cold front pushing through our area on Friday. This may bring our next best chance precipitation along with cooler temperatures for next weekend. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1014 PM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025 MVFR ceilings look to be a little more stubborn across areas mainly north of I-90 through the overnight hours. Some patchy MVFR ceilings may linger through the morning as well. Attention turns to thunderstorm potential with a few strong storms possible in southwest MN and west along highway 14 through the early overnight hours. Much of this activity is expected to shift north of highway 14. The a stronger wave moves into the area on Sunday with periodic chances for thunderstorms through the late morning into Sunday evening. Some of these storms could be severe with heavy rainfall. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...JM AVIATION...08