Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD
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320 FXUS63 KUNR 232339 AFDUNR Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 439 PM MST Sat Nov 23 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Critical fire weather conditions this afternoon across parts of northeast WY, with elevated fire weather conditions into the Black Hills - Cold front Sunday with gusty northwest winds and chances of light snow/flurries for northeast Wyoming and Black Hills...light accumulations possible in the Black Hills - Near to below average temperatures through mid week, with reinforcing shot of cold air Thanksgiving into the weekend. A bit of light snow at times && .DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Saturday) Issued at 1225 PM MST Sat Nov 23 2024 Water vapor shows upper ridge over the Northern Plains and upper low off the Pac NW coast, with distinct short wave ejecting into western MT. At the surface, backdoor cold front is mostly south and west of our zones, with the exception of southern Campbell county and higher elevations of the Black Hills. Next upstream cold front is over north central MT. Stratus/fog on the western SD plains has been slow to break up with early afternoon temps still in the 20s. A bit warmer in the Black Hills and parts of northeast WY where southwest winds have returned. Stratus/fog should continue to break up this afternoon with backdoor cold front slowly lifting back northeast. Some fog may reform again tonight on the western SD plains, but will dissipate from west to east late tonight as upstream cold front moves in. Gusty northwest winds expected Sunday behind the cold front. Have trended pops a bit higher for the Black Hills and southwest SD for Sunday and Sunday evening, with possibly an inch or two accumulation in the Black Hills wherever the convergence boundary sets up. At this time, it looks like the better chances for accumulation will be over the central and southern Black Hills. Flat upper ridge overhead early next week should lead to mostly dry conditions with temps near to slightly below average. Next trof swings through later Tuesday into Wednesday, and brings another chance for light snow although moisture should remain limited. Behind this trof, even colder air should swing into the Northern Plains for Thanksgiving into the weekend. Could be a bit light snow late in the week, but moisture will remain limited. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Sunday Evening) Issued At 431 PM MST Sat Nov 23 2024 Areas of fog and low clouds with associated IFR/transient local LIFR conditions will persist across portions of western SD overnight ahead of a sfc trough. KRAP will be on the edge of the low clouds and fog, with conds expected to improve late tonight as the sfc trough moves through. Breezy southerly winds will continue ahead of the trough with winds shifting NW behind the trough, scouring out any remaining low clouds/fog. A clipper system will bring some light snow to the SW half of the FA Sunday afternoon, with MVFR conds in light snow expected there. Local IFR conds will be possible in the Black Hills. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued At 1225 PM MST Sat Nov 23 2024 Critical fire weather conditions have developed across parts of northeast WY into the Black Hills northeast WY as very dry southwest winds have moved in. Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions may also spread into the Black Hills and parts of far southwest SD this afternoon. A cold front will move through the area Sunday with gusty northwest winds. Colder and unsettled conditions are expected for much of next week, with chances for a bit of light snow at times. && .UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...Red Flag Warning until 6 PM MST this evening for WYZ315. && $$ DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...Johnson AVIATION...JC FIRE WEATHER...Johnson