000
FXUS63 KDMX 061123
AFDDMX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
623 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2020

...Updated for the 12z Aviation Discussion...

.DISCUSSION.../Today through Wednesday/
Issued at 423 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2020

Surface high pressure continues to shift east towards the Great
Lakes. Southerly flow aloft has returned to Iowa overnight with
several fragments of theta-e advection lifting through the state.
Modest MUCAPEs have arrived as well at 500 J/kg or less though
greater instability is just to the west in the Missouri Valley.
Showers and a few thunderstorms have developed to the increased
forcing and instability over southeast Iowa and over the northwest.
Of course the areas that really need the rainfall are currently
devoid of precipitation. The showers and thunderstorms will likely
continue to bubble into central Iowa this morning and into the early
afternoon as repeated rounds of theta-e advection lift northward.
The focus for precipitation should eventually lift northward as well
this afternoon. The slow movement and potential for repeated small
cells over some areas could lead to some beneficial rainfall for
some lucky areas. High temperatures today will again likely be
impacted by cloud cover and have again tempered high temperatures
down north of Highway 30. South of there, temperatures may receive
some sun during the afternoon to allow temperatures to rebound.

The low level jet will develop tonight and be focused over Kansas
and Missouri with the speed convergence zone over the northern
portion of those states. That will be the most favored region for
thunderstorm development tonight though some of the activity may
reach far southern Iowa and linger into Friday morning. The
remainder of Friday should be mostly dry and warmer with highs in
the 80s. The upper flow by later Friday and into the weekend
transitions to more zonal/westerly flow as the region is sandwiched
between an upper low over western Canada and upper high over the
south central CONUS. Numerous short waves will be passing through
this flow and there still remains a fair amount of uncertainty where
and when these will arrive and areal coverage of any thunderstorms.
This has resulted in an extended forecast filled with low chances
for thunderstorms throughout with a couple more focused areas.
Another strong low level jet will develop Friday night and the setup
is favorable for an MCS to develop somewhere in the vicinity of
southeast South Dakota/northwest Iowa. The deterministic ECMWF
continues to be aggressive with the MCS to track southeast into
central Iowa while other solutions remain less optimistic. Should an
MCS develop, corfedi vectors would suggest any rooted system should
settle southeast. Some challenges though showing up in sounding
profiles with dry air still lingering in the favored lift zone that
would inhibit convective development. Another storm complex looks
favorable Sunday night into Monday morning as the upper flow bows a
bit as the Canadian upper low moves east, which will allow a frontal
boundary to drop into Iowa. As of now, northern Iowa is the most
favored area for precipitation though scattered storms should also
reach central Iowa. Periodic thunderstorm chances into next week as
mentioned previously which will be dependent on the surface boundary
placement and short wave timing. There will be some severe weather
potential this weekend with damaging winds the greatest threat.

The weekend will be warmer and more humid with highs in the upper
80s to low 90s into Monday then slightly cooler the remainder of the
period. Afternoon heat index values Saturday and Sunday will be in
the 90s to near 100.

&&

.AVIATION.../For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday morning/
Issued at 620 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2020

Scattered showers and thunderstorms this morning vicinity of
KDSM/KOTM/KFOD before diminishing into the afternoon. Localized
MVFR cigs also possible this afternoon into the overnight.
South to southeast wind through the period. A period above
sustained 12kt wind possible this afternoon.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Donavon
AVIATION...Donavon

NWS DMX Office Area Forecast Discussion