Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
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293 FXUS63 KICT 020845 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 345 AM CDT Tue Jul 2 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Hot and humid conditions will lead to heat indices around 105 to 110 this afternoon and early evening. - Strong to severe storms are expected to develop late this afternoon and this evening across the area. - Additional strong to severe storm chances are expected Wednesday and Independence Day. - Near average temperatures expected this weekend and the beginning of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 344 AM CDT Tue Jul 2 2024 Water vapor satellite imagery early this morning shows a trough digging into the northern/central plains with widespread convection across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. A few showers developed at the nose of a stout LLJ across central and northern Kansas, but meager instability is preventing any thunderstorm development at this time. Throughout the day a frontal boundary will sag across central and south-central Kansas, and despite breezy conditions, dewpoints are expected to remain in the 60s and low 70s. With compressional warming ahead/along the boundary, temperatures will likely be in the upper 90s to low 100s. These hot and humid conditions will likely promote heat indices around 105 to 110. Meanwhile, a jet max will round the base of the passing upper trough, and much of Kansas will reside in the right entrance region of the jet max. Surface convergence along the front and upper diffluence should allow for scattered thunderstorm development along the frontal boundary this afternoon and evening. While shear will be modest, and storm mode will be messy, 1500 to 2500 J/kg of SBCAPE will be capable of supporting storms that could produce up to half- dollar sized hail upon initial development. Also, over 1200 to 1500 DCAPE would suggest storm could produce 60 to 70 mph winds. The landspout/tornado threat does appear low at this time, but trends will need to be monitored this afternoon. Storms should gradually coalesce and line segments could produce additional severe wind gusts during the nighttime hours before storms weaken due the loss of diurnal heating. Much of Kansas looks to remain in a similar regime come Wednesday with the lingering frontal boundary still draped across the state and upper level diffluence remaining present. As a result, additional showers and storms are forecast during the day on Wednesday. Some of these storms could be strong to marginally severe, but much of the activity will likely remain benign. A strong MCS is expected to develop across the High Plains Wednesday afternoon, but the eastward extent will be called into question given the lack of instability across the forecast area from shower and thunderstorm activity expected throughout the day on Wednesday. If this complex of storms enters the northern and western portions of the forecast area, then wind gusts around 60 to 70 mph could be possible. Lingering showers and storms remain in the forecast for Thursday before significant rain chances come to an end. The frontal boundary mentioned previously will likely remain across southern Kansas, and it`s possible showers and storms could interrupt many Independence Day celebrations across southern and southeast Kansas. Trends will need to be monitored as much of what occurs on Wednesday will likely determine what happens on Thursday. The main story after Thursday will be cooler temperatures as both afternoon highs and overnight lows will be near average for this time of year going into the weekend and the beginning of next week. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1237 AM CDT Tue Jul 2 2024 VFR conditions are expected through much of the TAF period. -SHRA in the vicinity of RSL will depart by 08Z. Otherwise, southerly winds remain gusty with speeds up to 30 kt. As such, LLWS concerns have been mitigated despite a 45-50 kt LLJ near 2.0 kft. A cold front will push into the area this afternoon, shifting winds to the north and northeast at RSL, GBD, SLN, and HUT. Uncertainty arises whether the front makes it through ICT and CNU by the end of the period. Thunderstorm chances increase around 00Z and beyond, especially at HUT and ICT. Addressed this potential with PROB 30 groups for now. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for KSZ049>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. && $$ DISCUSSION...JC AVIATION...BRB