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Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Des Moines, IA
Issued by NWS Des Moines, IA
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119 FXUS63 KDMX 041136 AFDDMX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 636 AM CDT Thu Jul 4 2024 ...Updated for the 12z Aviation Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES... * Slight Risks for Severe Storms and Heavy Rainfall today, mainly across central into northern Iowa * Western and southwest areas most likely to have quiet conditions for post sunset activities. * Seasonably cool conditions tend to prevail in coming days, along with additional opportunities for showers/storms. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 331 AM CDT Thu Jul 4 2024 After a welcome quiet day and evening on Wednesday, the 4th of July will return to the unsettled weather conditions. Early this morning an area of showers and weak convection was approaching the SW CWA and tracking E/NE, tied to a shortwave moving through the mid to upper level flow. The core of this activity will remain relegated southward into central and northern Missouri, tied more closely with the low level boundary and LLJ jet activity. While this activity will provide periods of light to moderate rainfall across southern into central Iowa this morning, it does not carry potential for substantial impacts, wind/hail/heavy rain or otherwise with its progressive nature and broadly unsupportive environment. What may be of note to watch is the speed with which this activity clears out and allows/does not allow sun/insolation to settle in. Looking to central to northern Iowa, upper level currently sweeping across the Dakotas will push broad forcing and a surface boundary into the area and be the impetus for potential severe and heavy rain activity today. Hi-res/CAM guidance has struggled in recent runs to depict a consistent solution, adding uncertainty to the potential today. What is known/should be in place though is supportive deep layer shear of 40 to 50+ kts, at least marginal SB/MLCAPE values of 1000+ J/kg and PWAT values around 1.5" by late morning into the afternoon. Leading cloud cover and light rain/showers driven by the broad lift, in conjunction with the southern shortwave activity draws into question how much solar insolation and priming can be done before the deeper lift and boundary drop into the area. Should a couple/few hours of sunshine breakout, potential for stronger near- surface instability and general updrafts may increase notably, elevating hail and wind potential. Tornado potential may remain limited with weak low level shear and helicity values depicted, but cannot be ruled out with any longer lived/organized convection. The current Day 1 SPC Outlook and its components continue to appear well placed over northern Iowa, closer to the deeper lift and weak surface low. Heavy rain risk will be largely dependent on areas experiencing multiple rounds of convection, as storms should be progressive and training potential limited. The lack of consistency in the hi-res/CAM runs really mucks up confidence in this area. Though there have been enough hints showing leading convection ahead of the surface boundary followed by convection tied more closely with the surface to warrant at least some risk of heavy rainfall in excess of 3 inches. Urban areas would be the most at risk in this situation, as while the area has seen recent rainfalls, rural areas at this point in the growing season tend to be able to handle fair amounts of rainfall. Expect most of this activity to occur from around 18z through 00z within the forecast area, with some lingering non-severe scattered activity after. Region will find itself bouncing between NW and semi-zonal flow aloft in the coming days, largely keeping the area in seasonal to seasonably cool conditions and multiple opportunities for showers and storms. NW flow regimes can be sneaky severe weather producers, and while SPC Day 4 currently depicts predictability too low, Saturday night could a period to keep a casual eye on given current synoptic guidance. Otherwise, expect highs predominantly in the upper 70s to mid 80s across the area Friday onward within the forecast. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 632 AM CDT Thu Jul 4 2024 Predominantly light rain or rain showers will move through portions of the area this morning, affecting KOTM and potentially KFOD/KMCW for prolonged periods. KDSM/KALO may see more brief periods of this activity before more substantial storm chances affect all TAF sites later today. Primary window for convection/storms will be around/after 18z in the west, translating eastward through the afternoon. Likely to clear out of all sites by around 00z, with some lingering lighter activity possible for a couple more hours. With some uncertainty areal extent of development and timing progression, have opted for VCTS and tempos at highest confidence sites KFOD/KMCW, and VCTS elsewhere for the time being. Aside from flight category reductions during prevailing TSRA, northern sites KFOD/KMCW may see MVFR ceilings move in toward the latter portions of the period. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 332 AM CDT Wed Jul 3 2024 There is a Slight Risk for Excessive/Heavy Rainfall over northern into eastern areas today, driven largely by the potential for multiple rounds of thunderstorms ahead of and along an upper level low and surface boundary. Confidence in this playing out is relatively limited with inconsistent hi- res/CAM guidance. Should an area experience multiple rounds of thunderstorms, moderate warm cloud layer depths and PWAT values of 1.5 inches or so will yield efficient rainfalls and the potential to receive 3 or more inches of rain. Given the tendency for rural and agriculture areas to be able to accept healthy amounts of rainfall this time of the year, impacts appear most likely to be over urban areas this afternoon and evening within the risk area. Rivers within the Des Moines River Basin continue to slowly fall, though Estherville, Humboldt, and Emmetsburg remain in Major or Moderate stages. Recent rainfalls across the north have resulted in the Cedar River Basin experiencing rises, in Minor Flood stage at Shell Rock, reaching Minor Flood Stage today at Cedar Falls and potentially at Waterloo over the next day or so. Southern Iowa rivers, tending to be faster responding, are quickly receding after recent heavy rains, with none having reached flood stage. The Saylorville Reservoir lake level forecast remains relatively unchanged with current forecast having it peak about 878 feet around July 10th and 11th. Additional rainfalls within the Des Moines River Basin may alter that forecast in coming days. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Curtis AVIATION...Curtis HYDROLOGY...Curtis