058 FXUS63 KUNR 090946 AFDUNRArea Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY National Weather Service Rapid City SD 346 AM MDT Tue Sep 9 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Above normal temperatures through Thursday.
- Precipitation chances increase Friday into Saturday with temperatures moderating.
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.DISCUSSION...(Today Through Monday) Issued at 255 AM MDT Tue Sep 9 2025
09Z upper level analysis has weak shortwave trof just east of the forecast area, with western ridge building across the Northern Rockies and Northern High Plains. Skies are mostly clear across the forecast area, with a small line of light showers across northern Crook County in Wyoming at the moment. At the surface, weak high pressure is in place, with frontal boundary and low pressure across North Dakota. Temperatures across the forecast area at 3 AM are in the 50s and 60s, with light west to northwest winds.
Upper ridge will continue to build into the Northern Plains today into tonight, with mainly dry conditions continuing. This afternoon, a few isolated showers and storms will develop across northeast Wyoming and the Black Hills, and persist into the early evening hours across southwest portions of SD. Temperatures today will be warm, in the 80s for most locations on the plains.
Upper ridge axis slides out into the Northern Plains on Wednesday, with southwest upper flow moving into western portions of the forecast area. Western trof and associated surface low strengthen, and shift into the Central Rockies. Tight surface pressure gradient develops across the area by Wednesday afternoon, producing breezy southeast winds. Winds of 15 to 25 mph will be likely, especially across northwestern SD. Once again, some isolated showers and storms will be possible across much of the area. Temperatures remain above average.
Upper ridge shifts well east on Thursday, with the forecast area under strong southwest flow. Surface low lifts into eastern Montana, with strong southerly boundary layer flow continuing across the area. Isolated storm chances continue, along with above average temperatures.
Western trof finally shifts into the Northern Rockies on Friday, with significant changes in sensible weather for the area. Cold front and widespread moisture work into western portions of the forecast area, with temperatures cooling to more seasonable levels. Upper trof persists over the area into Saturday, with precip chances remaining high for most of the area. Operational GFS remains the outlier with this system, keeping better precip chances north and west of the area. Interesting that a significant number of GFS ensemble members agree with the Euro and Canadian on bring better precip across western SD. Will see how this plays out over the next several model runs.
Unsettled weather lingers into Sunday, before weak ridging ahead of the next western trof brings dryer conditions to the area early next week.
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.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS Through 06Z Tuesday Night) Issued At 913 PM MDT Mon Sep 8 2025
VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period. There is a chance for isolated storms again tomorrow afternoon across the area, but confidence in location is too low to include in the TAF at this time.
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.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. WY...None. &&
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DISCUSSION/KEY MESSAGES...15 AVIATION...Pettett
NWS UNR Office Area Forecast Discussion