647 FXUS63 KUNR 161714 AFDUNRArea Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 1114 AM MDT Tue Sep 16 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
-Cool and unsettled most places through Thursday with scattered showers and thunderstorms
-Some locations may see an inch or more of rain where the most persistent showers occur
-Drying out and warming toward the end of the week
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.DISCUSSION...(Today Through Monday) Issued at 140 AM MDT Tue Sep 16 2025
Semi-blocked pattern will develop as an upper low slowly migrates east into the Northern Plains and phases with a southern Canadian trough, all the while a sharp ridge develops over western NOAM. This will set the stage for near widespread rain chances, with the best chances for rain in portions of western SD. There will be the potential for locally heavy rain given overall slow system speed, slow individual cell movement, and PW`s around an inch, with some locations expected to see over an inch of rain. Given mesoscale nature of precip, the exact area that will see the most rain cannot be pinpointed attm as forecast models continue offering varying solutions on where the most persistent showers will occur. Upper low will shift east today with impulse ladden SW flow aloft. Expect scattered showers and TS developing today with activity becoming sfc based this afternoon per diurnal heating. Isolated stronger storms will be possible across scentral SD where ML CAPE of 1-2 KJ/KG will be in place although deep layer bulk shear is lacking. Shower chances will continue through Wednesday most places as plenty of moisture will wrap into this system with general LSA prevalent across the area. The best chances for rain will occur where the system deformation zone sets up, the location of which still remains uncertain. Dry air will begin to shift into the region west to east Thursday with rain chances shifting east as well. Much cooler through Thursday with clouds and rain in place, esp where showers persist. Expect highs generally in the 60s and 70s most places. Things dry out this weekend with warmer temperatures back into the 70s and 80s.
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.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Wednesday) Issued At 1110 AM MDT Tue Sep 16 2025
VFR conditions will continue at airports through early Wednesday morning before MVFR/IFR cigs/vis develop around 09-11Z and continue much of Wednesday. Although KGCC should remain rain-free today, -SHRA will impact KRAP today with VCSH overnight, with both airports seeing off and on -SHRA much of Wednesday. North to northwest winds up to 10 knots are expected through the TAF period.
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.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. &&
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DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...JC AVIATION...Shamburger
NWS UNR Office Area Forecast Discussion