518
FXUS63 KFSD 241131
AFDFSD

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
531 AM CST Tue Dec 24 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Dense fog advisory remains in effect until 10 AM. Proceed
  with caution if you must commute this morning and be prepared
  for reduced visibilities.

- Above normal temperatures and largely dry conditions are
  expected through Thursday, keeping travel impacts minimal
  across the Northern Plains.

- Precipitation returns heading into the weekend, with the
  better chances (30-50%) focused along and east of I-29 Friday
  through Saturday morning. High confidence (80-90% chance) that
  temperatures remain above freezing, keeping the precipitation
  type as rain.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 301 AM CST Tue Dec 24 2024

Stratus deck continues to blanket the region, with latest ceilings
ranging between 200-1400ft. Current observations also reveal dense
fog across much of our area, with temperatures in the upper teens to
20s. Given the light winds in place, do not anticipate seeing much
change in the coming hours in regard to visibility or cloud cover.
As such, plan to make no changes to the current Dense Fog Advisory,
which will remain in effect until 10 AM. If you must commute this
morning, be sure to increase your following distance, use your low
beam headlights, and reduce in-vehicle distractions.

Should see fog begin to burn off by mid-morning as winds increase
out of the south. That being said, latest hi-res guidance continues
to suggest that cloud cover will persist for much of the day. As a
result, did make a notable change to afternoon highs, which now
range from the upper 20s to the lower 40s - the coldest occurring
across southwest Minnesota and Highway 14, with the warmest
occurring west of the James River. Outside of this, expect quiet
conditions to continue across the region, with another round of
patchy fog possible along and east of the James River Valley Tuesday
night.


Upper level ridging builds across the Northern Plains Wednesday,
keeping conditions dry and mild for Christmas. Guidance seems to
diverge on how quickly cloud cover will wane during this time, with
the more optimistic solutions showing afternoon highs in the lower
30s to lower 40s. However, if clouds linger a bit longer than
anticipated, will likely see highs struggle to rise above freezing
across southwest Minnesota. Something to keep an eye on in the
coming shifts. Otherwise, look for an even warmer day to prevail
Thursday, as highs rise into the upper 30s to mid 40s.

Precipitation chances return Friday as an upper level low over the
Rockies slides ENE across the central CONUS. Still a bit of model
variability in place concerning track and timing to put too much
confidence behind any one solution just yet. Latest runs seem to
keep the better moisture and forcing just to our southeast. As such,
PoPs have shifted a touch eastward Friday through Saturday morning,
with the better chances (30-50%) occurring along and east of I-29.
Given that temperatures will be above freezing, expect rain to be
the primary ptype. Otherwise, should see dry conditions return
Saturday afternoon and continue for the remainder of the weekend,
with highs rising into the 40s.

Colder temperatures and precipitation chances return heading into
the new week, so continue to monitor the forecast for the latest
updates!

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 530 AM CST Tue Dec 24 2024

Stratus deck and dense fog continue to blanket the region, resulting
in LIFR to IFR flight levels. Do not expect to see much in the way
of improvement, at least for vsbys until mid to late morning, once
winds shift and increase from the south. This should allow vsbys to
improve, albeit slowly, through the afternoon hours. Cigs, on the
other hand, will likely not rise to MVFR levels until late
afternoon/early evening. Otherwise, should see quiet conditions
prevail throughout the period, with another round of patchy fog
possible along and east of the James River Valley prior to daybreak
Wednesday.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM CST this morning for SDZ038>040-
     050-052>070.
MN...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM CST this morning for MNZ071-072-
     080-081-089-090-097-098.
IA...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM CST this morning for IAZ001>003.
NE...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM CST this morning for NEZ013.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...SST
AVIATION...SST