Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
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377 FXUS63 KUNR 061827 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 1227 PM MDT Sun Sep 6 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Above average temperatures remain in the start of the forecast. Afternoon temps will be in the upper 80s to 90s for Monday but cooler temps expected midweek. - Elevated fire weather conditions linger. - Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected through Monday morning. && .DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Sunday) Issued at 1202 PM MDT Sun Sep 6 2026 A change in the winds is coming to the area this week. The last couple of days, we have been under the influence of a large upper level ridge that has been giving us southwest flow in the higher parts of the atmosphere. Through tomorrow, an upper level low spinning over the pacific northwest will kick eastward. This low will shift upper level winds over the CWA from the southwest to west. This means passing storm chances, then slightly cooler temps. And the longer term forecast is hinting at bigger swings in temps that could mean bigger breaks from the heat. At the surface, an area of low pressure will develop near north central Wyoming later today. This low is expected to track northeast tonight through tomorrow. And as it moves east tomorrow, north of the CWA, it will swing a cold front through the area. Showers and thunderstorms are likely as these changes happen through tomorrow. For today, storms are expected to pop up over the Black Hills during the heat of the day and these storms will move east-to-northeast through the afternoon and evening. At the same time, more storms are likely to develop to our south and those will drift northwards later this evening and overnight. Severe weather can`t be ruled out with hail and strong winds being the main concerns. The SPC has placed a Marginal risk centered over the Black Hills and the surrounding plains. Machine learning severe weather models are also highlighting the same area. Late tonight into early Monday, the previously mentioned cold front will slide west to east over the area. pushing any lingering precip, or new rain/storm development, eastward. Based on current projections though, the bulk of any rain and showers tomorrow will be gone by midday with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies Monday afternoon. The rest of the week looks dry with the next round of rain possible next weekend. Once the front pushes through, westerly winds will pick up some speed. Monday afternoon winds will be strongest in NE WY at upwards of 20 to 25 mph, gusts over 30 mph. Then Tuesday, the strongest winds will shift to the NW SD plains at around 20 to 30 mph, gusts nearing 40 mph. Lastly, the temperature outlook for this week has some big swings. Afternoon highs take a dip after today and tomorrow`s highs in the upper 80s to 90s with Tuesday and Wednesday`s highs in the 70s to 80s. Highs in the 80s and 90s return Thursday and Friday. Next weekend could see temps below normal, stay tuned. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Monday) Issued At 1115 AM MDT Sun Sep 6 2026 Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon/evening with local MVFR conditions and gusty, erratic winds. Low confidence that storms will impact KRAP, have left them out of the forecast. Outside of thunderstorms, VFR conditions are expected through the period along with gusty southerly winds. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued At 1202 PM MDT Sun Sep 6 2026 Fire weather continues to be a concern with elevated to near critical conditions likely. Afternoon temperatures in the 80s to 90s to start the week. And very dry weather lingers with minimum relative humidity down to 10 to 20 percent for the western zones. And once a cold front pushes through, westerly winds will pick up with gusts upwards of 25 to 40 mph at times for Monday and Tuesday. Lighter winds expected for the second half of the week. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...GS AVIATION...SE FIRE WEATHER...GS