Sunrise 6:23 AM   Sunset 8:23 PM Moonrise 3:03 AM   Moonset 2:18 PM

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FXUS63 KTOP 031109 AFDTOP

Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 609 AM CDT Fri May 3 2024

KEY MESSAGES

- Line of thunderstorms moves in from the west around/after midnight tonight, with potential for a few strong to severe storms.

- Greater potential for severe weather Monday as a strong upper trough approaches.

- Temperatures remain near to a bit above average.

DISCUSSION
Issued at 426 AM CDT Fri May 3 2024

- Line of thunderstorms moves in from the west around/after midnight tonight, with potential for a few strong/severe storms.

- Next chance for severe weather arrives Monday as a strong upper trough approaches.

- Temperatures remain near to a bit above average.

A brief break in rain chances this morning, as high pressure has moved in across the region. Light winds and clear skies, along with lingering moisture from our recent rain, have allowed for some patchy fog to develop in lower lying areas. This will linger until an hour or two after sunrise when deeper mixing occurs. The daytime hours will remain dry and mostly sunny, with temperatures warming into the 70s. Can't completely rule out an evening storm north of I- 70 as CIN lowers with increasing moisture/heating, but the better storm chances arrive later overnight as a cold front approaches from the west. There is increasing confidence that a line of storms will initially be ongoing across northwestern Kansas, moving into north- central Kansas after midnight. Given around 1500 J/kg of MLCAPE and 30-40 kts of shear, a few strong to severe storms will be possible.
The linear storm mode will keep damaging winds as the primary severe threat, with some isolated quarter size hail also possible. CIN increases with time and eastward extent, so expecting a gradual decrease in severe probabilities while the line moves across northeast and east-central Kansas. The front then moves east of the area by late morning Saturday. Just a few lingering shower chances by Saturday afternoon as cooler and drier air is advected southward.

More rain chances arrive Sunday with a weak shortwave passing just to our south. Instability remains very limited so not expecting much if any severe weather. Severe weather chances significantly increase for Monday as a deep upper low becomes negatively tilted as it ejects eastward over the central Plains. Guidance is in good agreement in 65-68 degree dewpoints ahead of the dryline/cold front, supporting 2000-3000 J/kg of MLCAPE. One possible fly in the ointment would be if the strong upper forcing allows morning or early afternoon convection to develop and decrease instability for the afternoon. But otherwise, wind profiles strongly support supercells. These would initially develop off the dryline across central Kansas during the afternoon, moving northeast during the evening, and would be capable of large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Several days to allow the details to come into place, but certainly a day to watch.

Tuesday into Wednesday, the deep upper trough becomes centered over the Northern Plains, with several embedded shortwaves moving around its southern periphery. By this point, roughly 80% of ensemble guidance keeps the now quasi-stationary front southeast of the area.
This would also keep severe weather chances southeast of our area, with temperatures staying near to slightly above average.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/
Issued at 608 AM CDT Fri May 3 2024

Shallow patchy fog has developed over the past couple hours, and will last for another hour or two before clearing after sunrise.
Southeast winds increase to 10-12 kts by late morning. Cold front along with scattered thunderstorms and potentially IFR/MVFR ceilings arrives late tonight, around 09z at KMHK and 11z at KTOP/KFOE.

TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
None.

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