Craig, Iowa Weather Forecast Discussion

830
FXUS63 KFSD 161951
AFDFSD
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
251 PM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Weak showers and thunderstorms are ongoing over central South Dakota.
  These are expected to taper off and end in the next couple
  hours.
- Another round of showers and thunderstorms are expected to
  form over south central to central South Dakota this evening.
  Risk for severe weather is low, but should a stronger updraft
  form risks include damaging wind gusts to 65 mph and hail to
  the size of a quarter coin. Timing for severe storms is
  between 9 pm and 3 am.
- Showers and thunderstorms continue through the end of the week
  and into the weekend. While overall severe threat will be
  low, rainfall totals have the potential to be high. Most of
  the region will see between 0.25 and 0.75 inches, while
  isolated pockets of 2+ inches are possible.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 241 PM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
Light showers and thunderstorms over central South Dakota have begun
to dissipate. These are expected to continue to fizzle out over the
next couple hours. Temperatures have underperformed a little
today in areas with showers. Decreased highs over central South
Dakota to the mid 80s. For the rest of the region, Highs will be
in the upper 80s with a few 90s possible for areas east of I-29.
Lows for tonight will be on the warm side in the low to mid 60s.
The CAMS guidance is indicating a slight delay in storm initiation
this evening. Storms now look most likely to form after 9 pm over
south central to central South Dakota. Confidence in isolated severe
storms has decreased due to the showers from this morning and the
cloud cover that has limited surface heating over that area. At the
same time, WAA in the mid-levels have worked to increase the
strength of the cap. Model soundings indicate it unlikely that we
will manage to break that cap. When storms initialize they are much
more likely to be elevated in nature. Mid-level lapse rates of 7-7.5
deg C/km are marginal. While deep layer shear is minimal at 10 kts
or less. However, there is plentiful energy available over the
region with 2000-3000 J/kg of MLCAPE. Expect that due to the lack of
shear self-sustaining updrafts will be unlikely. With the available
energy storms will most likely be pulsy in nature. Despite that,
should a stronger updraft initialize an isolated severe storm is
still possible. Damaging wind gusts to 65 mph are the most likely
threat due to the dry subcloud layer. Secondary to wind is large
hail to the size of a quarter coin. This aligns well with the SPC
Day 1 Outlook of a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe
thunderstorms. Most likely timing of strong to severe storms is
between 9 pm tonight and 3 am Wednesday morning.
After that should be a brief lull as the large, upper system
settles over western and central South Dakota during the
overnight. The system stalls here for about 48 hours. As it
spins over us, lobes of vorticity and embedded short waves will
keep periodic showers and thunderstorms in the forecast through
the weekend. Tall and skinny CAPE profiles indicate the
potential for occasionally heavy down pours. Friday morning the
system begins to slowly move east-northeast. Periodic showers
and thunderstorms continue through Friday afternoon. Friday
evening a stronger embedded short wave will traverse the base of
the upper trough, resulting in briefly intensifying showers,
mostly east of I-29. Saturday morning showers become more
scattered in nature. By Sunday morning the system begins to exit
to the northeast as a shallow upper ridge builds in, and
showers gradually come to an end. Temperatures during this time
will decrease from the upper 70s to the low to mid 70s Wednesday
through Friday. Temperatures warm back above September averages
into the upper 70s for the weekend.
As far as rain totals are concerned, guidance has backed off
slightly with the latest model runs. However, precipitable water
values remain in the 90th to 97th percentile for climatology through
Friday. Ensemble guidance from midnight Wednesday morning to
midnight Thursday morning indicate there is a 60-90% probability of
rainfall equal to or exceeding 0.5 inches for areas along and
west of the James River. Chances decrease as you move east. For
Thursday (midnight to midnight Friday) a 50-90% probability of
rainfall equal to or exceeding 0.5 inches for the majority of
the region. Chances for 24 hour rainfall of 0.5 inches or more
quickly drop off Friday into Sunday. Due to the extended nature
of this storm system, confidence in total rainfall is low.
However, it seems likely that most of the region will see 0.25
to 0.75 inches of rain, with isolated pockets up to 2+ inches
possible.
Additional shower chances again Monday morning as a fast moving wave
passes to our north. Though confidence is low due to model
divergence. Tuesday things look to dry out and remain dry through at
least the middle of next week.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
VFR conditions are expected for the first half of this period,
occasional MVFR conditions are possible for the second half.
Winds will be light and variable after sunset.
Currently light thunderstorms are occurring west of the James
River. Storms are expected to dissipate over the next couple of
hours. This evening, chances for showers and thunderstorms
return to south central South Dakota. While the overall risk is
low, an isolated thunderstorm or two could become severe. Risks
include wind gusts to 65 mph and hail to the size of a quarter
to a half dollar. Instability decreases rapidly after midnight
and so storm strength should decrease. Timing of potentially
severe storms is 00Z-06Z this evening.
A low pressure system will settle over the area and continue to
produce periodic showers and thunderstorms through the end of the
week. Severe chances remain low but a few stronger thunderstorms
could produce locally heavy rainfall.
&&
.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
MN...None.
IA...None.
NE...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...AJP
AVIATION...AJP

NWS FSD Office Area Forecast Discussion