Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS La Crosse, WI

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758
FXUS63 KARX 011004
AFDARX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
404 AM CST Mon Dec 1 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Periods of flurries are possible this morning (10-20%) ahead
  of a quick hitting system that moves through the Midwest this
  afternoon and evening, bringing additional flurries and light
  snow (30-90%). Probabilities for snow are highest over far
  southwest Wisconsin (60-90%), where around an inch of snow is
  possible.

- Below normal temperatures are expected through the new week.
  The coldest temperatures are expected Thursday morning when
  subzero lows are likely (70-90%). Dangerously cold wind chills
  in the double digits below zero are possible, mainly west of
  the Mississippi River.

- Snow is possible again Wednesday (20-40%) and Saturday (10-30%).

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 404 AM CST Mon Dec 1 2025

Today

A positively titled trough over the central United States this
morning will quickly translate eastward throughout the day,
supporting snowfall potential across the Midwest. Modest low
level warm air and moisture advection this morning could support
periods of flurries ahead of the wave.

Stronger forcing associated with this wave moves in this
afternoon and evening as the left exit region of a 500hPa jet
streak overspreads the area over top weak positive vorticity
advection within the mean flow and the aforementioned low
level moistening. The strongest forcing remains to the south
over eastern Iowa into central Illinois, and a southward trend
of the highest precipitation probabilities is noted in the
01.00z HREF in response. However, modest forcing is still
expected to nudge over our far southern counties which is
anticipated to coincide with the DGZ which should promote
measurable snowfall. Overall, not much more than a light dusting
of snow is expected for most today with areas over southwest
Wisconsin receiving around 1 inch, but if the southern trend
continues, amounts will likely decrease.

Outside of the snowfall, high temperatures today top out in the
upper teens to low 20s with light southerly winds.

Below Normal Temperatures

Cold temperatures remain situated over the Upper Mississippi
River Valley through the week under primarily northwest flow
with highs generally 5-10 degrees below normal. Thursday is
expected to be the coldest day this week as strong cold air
advection moves in behind a cold front that traverses the region
on Wednesday. Confidence is high that temperatures will be
below zero areawide Thursday morning, as the 01.00z NBM
continues to depict subzero temperatures with a 25th-75th spread
of 5 degrees or less on average and the 90th percentile at or
below zero. Along with these temperatures, dangerously cold wind
chills are possible during this period with current apparent
temperatures in the double digits below zero. Those west of the
Mississippi River will see the coldest apparent temperatures,
with a 20-40% probability of falling below advisory criteria for
a time per the 01.00z LREF, primarily dependent on the strength
of the low level wind field and the timing of a low level ridge
axis moving into the region.

Additional Snowfall Through the Week

Active upper level flow is expected through the week with
several shortwave troughs traversing the region. These
shortwaves will be the catalyst of additional snowfall potential.

The first shortwave moves through on Wednesday, supporting the
aforementioned cold front. Moisture increases along the front
which combined with forcing from the front itself should support
some developing flurries to light snow (20-40%). Steepening low
level lapse rates reaching into the DGZ are possible in the
afternoon under diurnal heating and low level cold air
advection, which could act to support flurries through the
afternoon.

More appreciable snowfall is possible Saturday night through
Sunday, as another 500hPa shortwave trough sinks southward out
of Canada, promoting surface cyclogenesis over the Great Plains.
Confidence remains low with regard to how this period
ultimately plays out as 01.00z LREF cluster analysis paints
several scenarios regarding timing and location of these
features. However, this system could support impactful snowfall
across the area, so continues to be a period to monitor in the
coming days.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1145 PM CST Sun Nov 30 2025

Widespread restrictions of some level are forecast over the
region tonight. As of 06Z, there are MVFR ceilings along and
north of a TOB to ISW line, IFR ceilings west of a LSE to OLZ
line and LIFR visibilities developing to the east. Confidence is
not the highest on how these restrictions evolve through the
night and into the morning, but the current stratus cloud deck
should move little through at least the morning and likely
longer. Light snow will affect the region between mid-morning
and late this afternoon, bringing localized MVFR/IFR
visibilities mainly over northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.
Winds will be generally light through the night and increase to
between 5-10 kts from the SSW during the day.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
IA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Falkinham
AVIATION...Skow