NOTE: Some of the data on this page has not been verified and should be used with that in mind. It may and occasionally will, be wrong. The tide reports are by xtide and are NOT FOR NAVIGATION. Privacy and Cookie policy

FXUS63 KDMX 100530 AFDDMX

Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1130 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

Updated for the 06z Aviation Discussion

DISCUSSION
/Tonight through Saturday/ Issued at 233 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

Key Messages:

- Ongoing light snow will taper off this evening with little accumulation while blustery northwest winds will continue through the overnight.
- Dry with seasonal to slightly above average temperatures through the week.

Discussion:

A large trough dominates the central US weather pattern this afternoon resulting in everything from severe storms in the southern US to snow in the north. In central Iowa, today's weather has been a story of blustery northwest winds and light snow. Accumulations from snow this afternoon have been extremely light, amounting to a light dusting if anything. This is owed in part to very shallow saturation within the dendritic growth zone, preventing further snow growth.
We also see less moisture and forcing across Iowa compared to portions of the Dakotas and Minnesota nearer to the surface low.
Even so, these flurries and light snow showers in Iowa have resulted in period of reduced visibility between 1-2 miles. At the same time, wind gusts from 35-45+ mph have have been common across the area this afternoon with an enhanced pressure gradient across the area and cold air advection behind the boundary. While subsidence is not overly robust, it has been enough to bring down those stronger winds soundings have indicated. Winds come down some overnight but gusts of 30+ mph will still be common. Stronger gusts should finally diminish Sunday morning as effects from this system slide off to the east.

Sunday will be quieter with wind becoming southerly late in the day.
Similar conditions will remain in place through the rest of the week with dry and seasonal to slightly above average temperatures.
Thursday and Friday will warm a few extra degrees, nearing 50 in many locations. Next chance for precipitation will hold off until Friday or Saturday as trough drops out of the pacific northwest and towards the midwest. Details at this range are uncertain but early indications are for fairly light precipitation in the form of liquid.

AVIATION
/For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Sunday night/ Issued at 1130 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

Stratus still holding on east/northeast with some erosion back edge. A bit uncertain on back edge as lower MVFR cigs have been redeveloping along a FOD to DSM line; so have delayed cigs entirely lifting by 08z. Upstream another trough will help keep lower MVFR cigs in place at MCW/ALO/OTM to around 13-15z. Small risk that more widespread MVFR stratus in western MN may dig farther south into Iowa by 12z. Will advise incoming shift. Winds lessen 12-15z north and east. /rev

DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
NONE.

toggle option: (graph/table)

Full Color Weather Map

Link to Loop


Other links: GEOS-West     Contential US     Full GOES-East

Des Moines, IA,