Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Dodge City, KS
Issued by NWS Dodge City, KS
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219 FXUS63 KDDC 302329 AFDDDC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Dodge City KS 529 PM CST Sun Nov 30 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - First accumulating snow of the season for parts of southwest Kansas on Monday - Total accumulations will range from around 1 inch to as much as 3 inches - Winter weather impacts should be minor however the timing of the snow will likely coincide with the morning work/school commute && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 202 PM CST Sun Nov 30 2025 20Z RAP and upper air analysis shows generally zonal flow with upper level moisture streaming mid to high level cloudiness. A digging upper wave is nearing Salt Lake City. At the surface a 1034 mb high is leading to lighter northeast winds and strong CAA has kept temperatures in the 20s throughout the morning and early afternoon. Tonight into Monday morning the longwave trough will move from the four corners region to western Kansas. Ahead of the trough increasing frontogenesis and lift in the dendritic growth zone is forecast to start developing after 06Z in northwest Kansas and quickly spread into north central through southwest Kansas through sunrise. Short term models are fairly consistent with timing and location of the strongest lift occurring between 12-18Z and for areas along and north of highway 50 with the strongest lift near the K-96 and I-70 corridors. With the open and progressive nature of the wave it should be a short lived snow event as much of the snow should be wrapping up around noon or shortly after. There will likely be mesoscale bands of moderate snow at times which could produce snowfall rates of ~0.50 in/hr especially in our northeast zones. The snow should be dry and powdery and winds are expected to be relatively light so the main impacts will be some lowered visibility with the heavier bands of snow and roads quickly becoming snow covered. Given that the timeframe of the snow will be during the morning work/school commutes a winter weather advisory is issued for area along and north of a Pratt to Dodge City line. Totals will range from up to an inch from Dodge City to Pratt (20-30% prob of 1 inch or more) to as much as 2-3 inches along and north of a WaKeeney to Larned line (25-40% probability of greater than 2 inches). By Monday afternoon with NVA and subsidence we will probably see skies clear out quickly from west to east. After Monday the weather turns fairly quiet with LREF upper air patterns showing generally northwest flow. Main highlights include a cold front moving through Thursday morning but the brunt of the colder air should be over the Great Lakes. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 527 PM CST Sun Nov 30 2025 VFR ceilings above 5000 feet AGL will thicken and lower overnight as moisture and lift improve ahead of an approaching upper level trough that will cross southwest Kansas during the day on Monday. Latest BUFR soundings and guidance agree that ceilings will lower to or below 3000 feet AGL after 06Z Monday and then continue to fall as light snow develops around or after 09z Monday. The lowest ceilings and steadiest/heaviest snowfall are expected between 10Z and 15Z Monday. During this time, IFR conditions (both visibility and ceilings) are likely (>60% chance) with a chance (30-50%) for ceilings to occasionally fall below 1000 feet AGL. As this upper wave passes, the snow will taper off, with even some clearing skies possible in a few areas late in the day. Winds during this period will primarily be from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots. The best chance for accumulating snowfall late tonight and early Monday will be in the Hays area, where 1 to 3 inches will be possible. The current snowfall forecast has greater than 1/2 inch at Dodge City, with lower amounts occurring further south and west. && .DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Monday for KSZ030-031-045-046-064>066-078>081. && $$ DISCUSSION...Tatro AVIATION...Burgert