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241 
FXUS63 KDMX 200459
AFDDMX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1159 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

.SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Wednesday/
Issued at 349 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

Synoptic pattern aloft continues to be defined by a broad 
longwave trough with several embedded shortwaves over the western 
two-thirds of the conus. One such shortwave was noted on water vapor 
passing through WY/MT, which will quickly eject over the northern 
Plains tonight and pivot northward into Canada. At the surface, a 
cold front extends through the central Dakotas into the western High 
Plains. The front will progress eastward through the forecast area 
tonight into Wednesday. Shower and thunderstorm activity is likely 
along the frontal axis as it tracks out of the Dakotas, but how far 
south and east this activity will be supported is in question due to 
the presence of a strong capping EML. Several hi-res models continue 
to advertise some convection in north central Iowa late tonight into 
early Wednesday morning, mostly north of Hwy 20. Any threat for 
severe weather should be limited due to weakening instability 
overnight, but can't rule out the potential for a few strong wind 
gusts given DCAPE values around 1000 J/kg. Otherwise, southerly 
winds and abnormally humid conditions will keep temperatures very 
mild overnight with lows in the 60s to near 70.

The aforementioned cold front will push through central Iowa 
tomorrow morning and afternoon. A much drier air mass will advect in 
behind the front, bringing a brief reprieve from the unseasonably 
high humidity. A strong capping inversion will likely inhibit 
convection along the front until late in the day, at which point the 
front will be starting to stall out near the southeastern periphery 
of the forecast area. Maintained mention of slight chance pops in 
our far southeastern zones to cover any potential for late afternoon 
development, but confidence is low at this time due to strong 
capping aloft and uncertainties in frontal position. For any storm 
that does develop, strong instability and steep mid-level lapse 
rates will promote the potential for hail and strong wind gusts.

.LONG TERM.../Wednesday night through Tuesday/
Issued at 349 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

Will see renewed warm advection on Wednesday night along with
increasing moisture advection as front begins lifting northward.
The increased theta-e advection and associated destabilization may
lead to the development of isold/sct convection across
southern/central Iowa during the night and have continued Pops
during this time, mainly south of Highway 30. The warm sector will
slide quickly northward on Thursday with very warm readings
returning along with unusually high moisture values for late
September.

The upper pattern will amplify into the late week and weekend with
a large western trof and equally impressive eastern ridge. Not
much movement is expected as both Jose and Maria edge up the
western Atlantic. Iowa will mostly be in the warm sector during
this time frame with much above normal temperatures from Friday
into Sunday along with the humid conditions persisting. With
little forcing and the atmosphere essentially capped, the threat
of precipitation will be minimal during this time. By late in the
weekend into early next week, ridge in the east will finally
begin to shift eastward and weaken allowing the western trof to
advance as well. The front that will be in the Plains through the
weekend will advance toward Iowa on Sunday night into Monday with
heightened chances for storms during this time. Once the boundary
slips through, temperatures will be cooler into the middle of next
week. 

&&

.AVIATION.../For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday night/
Issued at 1157 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

A few thunderstorms still possible over far northern Iowa tonight
and may pass near vicinity of KMCW. A storm may also be possible
in the KOTM area late in the period. Expect breezy winds to
persist the next several hours then diminish on Wednesday as high
pressure moves into NW IA. Localized MVFR cigs possible late
tonight into early Wednesday morning over the north.

&&

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

$$

SHORT TERM...Martin
LONG TERM...Cogil
AVIATION...Donavon