822 FXUS63 KABR 281747 AAC AFDABRArea Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 1247 PM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Abnormally warm temperatures (Highs in the mid to upper 80s, 15- 20 degrees above normal) will be in place through most of this coming week.
- Dry and windy conditions will return for the end of the weekend into the first half of next week. Gusts of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected both this afternoon and Monday afternoon.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 1237 PM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
The aviation discussion has been updated for the 18Z TAFS.
UPDATE Issued at 1031 AM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
Everything seems to be in order with the forecast for the remainder of the today period. Not expecting to make any changes at this time.
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.SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON/... Issued at 303 AM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
The main forecast concern this morning are strengthening southerly winds due to a tightening pressure gradient as a surface high pressure center moves to the east. Still expecting broad coverage of 25 to 35 mile per hour gusts in the afternoon, but the forecast area will stay well clear of reaching Wind Advisory criteria (sustained of 30 mph, gusts to 45). This southerly wind will also advect moisture into the region, increasing dew points 10+ degrees over central and north central South Dakota over the course of the day (from mid 40s to mid to upper 50s). This strong moisture advection likely saves that area from needing a Red Flag Warning, as it keeps minimum afternoon humidity up into the 30-40% range. Northeastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota are a bit more borderline, as that area will not see the same moisture advection, and dew points will remain in the 40s. Minimum afternoon humidity is forecast to remain above the Red Flag threshold of 25%, but observations and trends will need to be watched this afternoon to ensure that one will not be needed. Broad coverage of 20 to 30 mile per hour gusts will return Monday, but humidity will again be just high enough to where Red Flag conditions will likely not be a concern.
Temperatures will be well above today and Monday due to the persistence of the upper level ridge. Highs both today and Monday will reach the mid to upper 80s, about 15 to 20 degrees above normal for late September. The forecast highs will be about 5-10 degrees short of record high temperatures, but record low temperature records may be jeopardy. Particularly on Monday morning, lows will be in the low 60s, which is where many of the records sit as well.
There are some CAMs showing a signal for some scattered light rain showers Sunday night into Monday. Coverage is expected to be very limited, and showers will be isolated in nature. Have added some PoPs to the forecast, but are still less than 15 percent across the board. Little to no measurable rainfall is anticipated with showers that develop, due to the lower-levels staying quite dry.
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.LONG TERM /MONDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 303 AM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
Weak flow aloft under an upper ridge starts off the extended portions of the forecast, with a plume of elevated monsoon moisture having lifted up from the Desert Southwest overhead through the course of the day Tuesday. Still looking at moist adiabatic profiles above an elevated mixed layer, warm enough to cap the area from surface based convection, but weakly unstable in the mid-levels so cant rule out some mid-level showers/virga. Deterministic GFS spits out a 0.01 or two here and there, with GEFS plumes indicating about the same though with a member or two up towards 0.1 inches though according to NBM there is less than a 10% chance for that occurring.
The pattern remains mainly dry thusly, as we move through mid-week, with a deepening western CONUS trough. Still not a lot of continuity on the progression of this feature as we get into late week/next weekend, and the cluster phase appears pretty scattershot in the days 5-7 range (meaning low confidence forecast for the upper pattern).
Most of the `weather` from Tuesday through Friday is in the low levels anyway, with above normal temperatures, a touch of humidity and winds. There is a persistent gradient across the area Tuesday and for the eastern CWA through the day Wednesday, with a weak low out west actually helping to lessen winds for western/central South Dakota. That trough decays quickly, and that strong south wind may become re-invigorated late in the week. Not a great mix direction and under a warm/neutral advection regime. Thus will stick with deterministic NBM. As for fire weather conditions, with above normal temperatures and persistent winds, NBM dewpoints generally remain stuck around 60F. Despite continuing to see vegetation dry out, that one linchpin means we`re expected to remain above criteria for any Red Flag conditions.
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.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1237 PM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG
Gusty southerly winds will be the primary concern the remainder of today. South to southeast wind gusts will continue to range between 25-30 knots with some locally higher gusts at times. These winds will gradually relax this evening through the overnight hours, but then restrengthen by the end of this forecast period. Mid to high clouds will slowly thicken later this afternoon into tonight from west to east across central and northeast South Dakota. A low level jet will set up overnight leading to some low level wind shear at KPIR early Monday.
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.ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. &&
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UPDATE...Vipond SHORT TERM...BC LONG TERM...07 AVIATION...Vipond
NWS ABR Office Area Forecast Discussion