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FXUS63 KDMX 262344 AFDDMX

Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 644 PM CDT Fri Apr 26 2024


Updated for the 00z Aviation Discussion

KEY MESSAGES

* Additional strong/severe storms expected this evening, now arriving across the western forecast area, translating NW/W through evening. While all modes of severe possible, a few tornadoes (strong possible) and large hail remain primary threats.

* Threat for additional severe storms Saturday, appears primarily over southern half of Iowa or so. All modes possible again, with primary threats for very large hail and a few tornadoes. Some heavy rain threat concerns linger.

* Another round possible Sunday, however details uncertain with preceding rounds of convection to play some role.

* Quieter start to next week, additional precipitation activity mid- late week.

MESOSCALE
Issued at 528 PM CDT Fri Apr 26 2024

As of 545pm, a broken line of severe storms is approaching the western edge of the forecast area. Several tornadoes, a few strong, have already occurred across the NWS Omaha Forecast area. A relatively warm and moist axis characterized by temps in the 60s and 70s along with dewpoints in the low 60s extends nwd along the Missouri River valley up through about Sioux City.
The environment in this area is characterized by MLCAPE values of 1000-2000 J/kg with MLCIN generally less than -50 J/kg. The kinematic parameter space at 22-23z remains very impressive with 0-1km bulk shear values around 30kts and effective SRH values from 200-400 m2/s2, most of which is confined in the lowest 0.5-1km above the sfc. The questions that remain are how long storms can remain discrete or semi-discrete and how long can the storms remain in the more volatile atmosphere? The latest guidance suggests that at least scattered severe storms will impact the western counties for the next few hours, with all modes of severe weather possible including tornadoes. As we get further into the evening, after 00z, the latest guidance suggests storms may congeal into a more linear QLCS mode.
However, even then isolated to scattered severe storms may continue, especially across the south half of Iowa where soundings show the boundary layer is less likely to become capped. This could continue right into the early overnight hours before storms eventually outrun the instability access to the east and north.

DISCUSSION
Issued at 230 PM CDT Fri Apr 26 2024

Morning convection progressed about as expected, if not a bit weaker than original thoughts, moving across and out of the area by later morning to early afternoon. In addition to already gusty background winds, sporadic wind gusts in excess of 50kts were seen on the backside of showers, producing wake low-like effects, as seen in/around KOTM/KOOA/KEBS/KMCW. Additional scattered convection across the area has been seen/experienced from late morning into the early afternoon. All of which has been highly elevated with a strong 850-800mb warm nose in place, limiting severe hail potential. Of note, CAMs have struggled with this convection, generally depicting little to nothing until the later severe threat. This convection is not expected to have adverse effects on the potential later today.

As of the time of this writing, dry line back across portions of south-central Nebraska and north-central Kansas has begun initiating strong surface based convection, including a confirmed tornadic storm in Nebraska along the nose of the dry slot and triple point.
This activity is a couple of hours sooner than the HRRR has recently advertised, but aligns with recent NAMnest and ARW core runs. Timing for western Iowa remains largely unchanged with arrival around 23z.
By this time, some clearing and the 850-800mb warm nose will have been eroded, allowing for surface based convection to take hold.
Parameter space remains strongly in favor of tornadic potential and large hail, especially over western areas where SBCAPE and 0-3km CAPE values will be at their greatest. Hodographs continue to depict text book low level curvature yielding 0-1km SRH values approaching 300 m2/s2, efficient streamwise vorticity ingestion, and supportive streamwise vorticity values. Improved mid-level lapse rates increase the hail threat with SBCAPE values in excess of 2000 J/kg. Earlier convective initiation west calls into some question what storm modes may be by the time activity reaches the CWA, but HRRR runs continue to suggest a few isolated supercells possible with some weak CIN lingering, which would continue the threat for a stronger tornado or two in addition to large hail. Should upscale growth become prevalent/dominant, multi-cell or QLCS processes may still yield tornadoes with proper orientation to low level shear, but predominantly weaker and shorter lived in nature. Same for hail, threat would remain, but likely lesser. As activity translates eastward, nightfall will attempt to stabilize low levels, but strong background winds to limit that, keeping surface based potential going into the evening as storms approach I-35. Strong dynamics as the upper wave and surface lows will continue the previously mentioned tornado and hail threats as well. SPC Day 1 Enhanced area remains well placed from this perspective.

A period of quieter conditions will settle in after 06z tonight or so as the first upper wave and surface low exit northeastward. In its wake will be a frontal boundary draped across the state from SW to NE, which will determine the threat area for strong/severe storms by the afternoon and evening Saturday. Day 2 SPC expansion of the Enhanced area into the CWA appears more than warranted with expectation of a "juicy" air mass building in which may yield SBCAPE values in excess of 3000 J/kg along/south of the surface front.
While threats Saturday will be similar to today, tornadoes and hail, the lead threat may be more in line with hail given the increased CAPE and potential ECAPE enhancement. As noted by previous discussion, wind fields are less substantial in the lowest levels, but deeper wind profiles remain more than capable of organized convection and some tornadic potential. Initial isolated storms mid- afternoon to evening will be of greatest concern, before anticipated upscale growth slowly lessens severe threats and potentially translates to possible hydro concerns with storm motions roughly parallel to the surface boundary and continued moisture transport lifting northward. Overall, CAMs have eased back a bit off the 3"+ of rain potential, with the boundary potentially not remaining stationary, but will be something to continue to keep a casual eye on into the evening/overnight Saturday.

Sunday still brings yet another potential round of strong to severe storms, but this remains with a few uncertainties given the above rounds of convection needing to play out. This will be tied to the upper level wave and surface low moving out into the Plains.
Synoptic guidance is pretty well aligned, at this point in time, moving the surface low across Iowa in/around peak heating. Aside from that, anticipated cloud cover throughout Sunday will limit destabilization. Regardless, another opportunity for a few strong to severe storms.

Beginning of next week continues to look on the quieter/dry side, before additional shortwave activity returns unsettled weather mid- late week. Throughout this forecast period, high temperatures will oscillate between the 60s and 70s.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/
Issued at 633 PM CDT Fri Apr 26 2024

IFR to LIFR CIGs are expected for the next few hours at KFOD/KMCW/KALO. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will then move from west to east across the area from 02-06z tonight. Localized IFR impacts are possible with any storms for 1-2 hours along with variable and gusty winds. Lingering VFR to IFR cigs may linger behind the storms, gradually scattering out towards morning. Additional storms are possible Saturday afternoon, but confidence on storm coverage remains in question at this time.



DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
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