Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Goodland, KS
Issued by NWS Goodland, KS
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191 FXUS63 KGLD 081639 AFDGLD Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 939 AM MST Fri Nov 8 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Eastern Colorado through early Saturday morning. Additional snow accumulations of up to 3 to 14 inches are possible. Blowing snow could also create periods of whiteout conditions in western portions of Kit Carson and Cheyenne [CO] counties late this morning and early this afternoon. - Widespread rainfall is expected in Northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska today with current the current forecast calling for 1 to 2 inches of rain. Small parts of the area may even see 3 inches. - Calmer weather pattern is forecast to end the weekend and begin the next week. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 226 AM MST Fri Nov 8 2024 Today is forecast to be the beginning of the end for our multi-day precipitation event. Current water vapor imagery shows the upper low in Western NM and Western Colorado with moisture being pulled into the area from the south. With this setup, more precipitation is already beginning to move in from the south. Additional precipitation is expected through the day and should cover the entire area as the upper and surface low both pull north/northeast through the day. With near constant precipitation forecast and better forcing with the lows near the area, QPF amounts are forecast to generally be between one to two inches. It wouldn`t be unreasonable for 3+ inches to fall in parts of the area as long as we don`t get dry slotted. For most of NW Kansas and SW Nebraska, this mean that today will be a wet and cool day with the persistent rain chances and highs only warming into the 30`s and 40`s. It may be a bit windier with the low moving near the area as gusts could reach 30-40 mph, generally from the northeast. Even with the high rain totals forecast and generally damp conditions prior to today, flooding is still unlikely as even 3 inches through the day generally isn`t enough to cause flooding. An isolated instance of flooding would be possible if a heavy band of precipitation develops and then rotates on the area later today as the surface low moves up and through the area. In regards to the snow, the forecast continues to favor another 3 to 14 inches of snowfall in parts of Eastern Colorado. Currently, the 6+ inch amounts favor from Kirk, to Stratton, to Cheyenne Wells and west. However, the gradient in snow amounts is forecast to be fairly high (wide difference in amounts between about 10-15 miles) where the rain/snow line develops. Based on current observations, the rain/snow line is around the CO/KS border early this morning. However, with the low pulling in more moisture and some weak warm air advection, the rain/snow line should retreat west through the morning. For the forecast amounts to verify, the rain/snow line needs to push to the aforementioned cities by noon. The further east the line remains, the more of Eastern Colorado that will see the higher amounts and the greater the chance NW Kansas could begin to see 1-5 inches of snow. Overall, this looks to be a 20% or less chance that the rain/snow line would remain closer to Yuma, Burlington, far Eastern Cheyenne county. Another hazard to keep an eye on is the possibility of blowing snow producing whiteout conditions. The forecast currently as gusts around 25-35 mph in Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties from Cheyenne Wells to Stratton and west. While confidence is not high enough for a blizzard warning, these locales should use extreme caution while traveling as conditions may become very dangerous for periods of time as the wind gusts come and go. For tonight, rain and snow showers are forecast to continue as the upper low and surface low continue to push north. As they push north though, drier air should begin to be pulled in from the south as a dry slot is expected to develop with the low. This will lighten precipitation for most of the area as mid-level dry air moves in while the low levels remain saturated. With the precip forecast to lessen and the saturated air at low levels, fog will likely develop, though how thick will depend on how much precipitation lingers and if the winds can remain strong. Lows are forecast to drop into the 20`s and 30`s. Tomorrow, the upper low and surface low are forecast to continue pushing northeast and leave the area. This will end precipitation chances for the area as the moisture also begins to push out of the area from south to north. With the current forecast, locales along and south of I-70 would see the sun come out during the afternoon after days of near constant cloud cover. Additional precipitation amounts are currently forecast to be almost negligible at a few hundredths which will allow the Winter Storm Warning to end and give calmer weather for the area. Highs are forecast to be in the 30`s and 40`s for most of the area, with 50`s where the sun can peak through the clouds. Tomorrow night should see calmer and clearer conditions across the area with the systems well northeast of the area. With the clear skies, lows should drop into the low twenties and 30`s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 130 AM MST Fri Nov 8 2024 Sunday...shortwave ridging in the morning becomes zonal in the afternoon ahead of a quick moving upper level trough that moves through overnight. No moisture for the trough to work with so we`ll continue with a dry forecast. High temperatures remain challenging given some expected snow cover along and west of the CO/KS border. Presently, highs are forecast to be in the 40s to near 50 in the snow covered areas with readings in the 60 to 65 degree range elsewhere. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the lower 20s to middle 30s. Monday...longwave ridging moves over the area during the day, ahead of an upper level trough that approaches the Continental Divide overnight. With a continued lack of moisture for precipitation, we`ll continue with a dry forecast. High temperatures are forecast to be in the 40s and 50s in snow covered areas of far eastern Colorado with readings a few degrees either side of 60 elsewhere. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the upper teens to middle 30s. Tuesday...the upper level trough moves through the area during the day with northwest flow in its wake overnight. The GFS/GEM/ECMWF models have moistened up above 700mb compared to 24 hours ago and its possible that a few showers could develop within the base of the trough. Presently, the forecast is dry and later updates may re- introduce some slight chance (20%) pops that were advertised a few days ago. High temperatures show little change from Monday with readings in the 40s to around 50 in snow covered areas across far eastern Colorado with highs around 60 elsewhere. Low temperatures fall into the lower 20s to middle 30s. Wednesday...broad upper level ridging moves over the area with dry weather expected due to very low moisture being available in the 850- 500mb layer. High temperatures are forecast to be in the 40s across far eastern Colorado (likely due to snow cover) with 50s elsewhere. Not sure snow will remain on the ground this far out in time so watch for later updates. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the middle teens to around 30. Winds are forecast to be from the northwest, gusting up to 30 mph or so during the day. Thursday...upper level ridging remains over the area and with a continued lack of moisture from 850-500mb, dry weather is anticipated. High temperatures are forecast to be in the 40s to lower 60s (coldest where any lingering snow cover exists which itself is questionable) with low temperatures in the lower 20s to lower 30s. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 938 AM MST Fri Nov 8 2024 For KGLD, the terminal will see LIFR/VLIFR ceilings for the entire forecast period as low as OVC002-004. Rain and fog will also impact the terminal w/ visibility down to a mile or less at times. Winds, northeast around 15-25kts through 07z Saturday then dropping to around 10kts. Afterwards, the direction will back to the northwest 10-15kts by 16z. For KMCK, through about 02z Saturday, there will be a transition from a VFR/MVFR ceiling mix to straight MVFR ceilings around OVC015-020. Looking for 3-6sm in light rain and fog during this time. From 02z Saturday onward, OVC004-005 for ceilings and 1-2sm in light rain and fog. Winds, northeast around 10kts through 00z Saturday, then shifting more easterly around 15-25kts. By 14z, east around 10kts. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...None. CO...Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Saturday for COZ090>092. NE...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...KAK LONG TERM...99 AVIATION...JN