Areal Flood Warning 2, NWS Twin Cities, MN

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
359 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 358 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

Thunderstorms developed as promised in far southwest/south
central Minnesota prior to midnight, and slowly spread
east/southeast and continued to form close to the same areas.
Thus, there is an increasing chance of localized flooding in flood
prone areas where locally two to three inches of rainfall is
likely before the thunderstorms begin to dissipate and move east.
There were a few thunderstorm cores that had strong updrafts and
probably produced up to nickel size hail, but most of the hazard
early this morning was related to heavy rainfall, and localized
flooding. In west central Wisconsin, localized dense fog formed
even with a dense overcast cirrus shield after midnight. Although
some areas will likely see the dense fog through sunrise, the fog
isn't expected to be widespread.

The thunderstorms in far southern Minnesota will likely continue to
form through sunrise along the nose of the modest low level jet
before slowly decreasing in areal coverage. The best chance of
continued thunderstorm activity will be along and south of the
Minnesota River Valley. Typically, as the low level jet decreases in
the morning, thunderstorms should wane. By the mid/late morning
hours, most areas will be dry with the exception in south
central/southeast Minnesota were the remnants of the decaying
thunderstorms will hold. By the afternoon, instability will once
again increase, but there should be an increasing cap limiting re-
firing of the thunderstorms in southern Minnesota. However, I
wouldn't be surprised to see some activity along any outflow
boundary from the morning thunderstorms. The best potential of re-
firing of the thunderstorms will occur in central Minnesota where
the cap will be weakest. Slowly overnight, precipitation chances
will increase in central, then east central Minnesota, and portions
of west central Wisconsin. However, this is related to the nose of
the low level jet. If this jet decides to move further to the north,
precipitation chances will be much lower.

.LONG TERM...(Thursday through Tuesday)
Issued at 358 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

An active and hot long term period is on the way, with Memorial
Day looking to be the hottest much of the area has seen in over 10
years (see the climate discussion below for details).

The warmth will build on Thursday as mid level ridging works into
the central CONUS. 925-850MB temps warm well into the +20C's, and
breezy southerly flow should support deep mixing. There could be
some residual cloud cover from nocturnal convection, but clouds
should scour out sufficiently to achieve highs in the 85 to 95
degree range. An approaching High Plains shortwave and attendant
height falls should help erode any weak CAP that's in place on
Thursday afternoon and evening. Progged shear is modest, but could
still see sufficient instability to support a few hail/wind-
producing severe thunderstorms. As the low level jet strengthens
on Thursday night, expect convection to spread eastward across the
area.

Friday should be another hot day ahead of the cold front
associated with the low pressure system, with a potential for
85-95 degree readings again. Storms would most likely be primarily
restricted to areas along/east of Interstate 35.

The ridge continues to build this weekend as a closed low rotates
over the southwestern CONUS and a tropical disturbance affects the
Atlantic. While there is often a chance of a dirty ridge (as the
GFS is hinting at), prefer the overall dry and hot scenario the
ECMWF offers through the beginning of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday night)
Issued at 1045 PM CDT Tue May 22 2018

Remaining mid-level clouds will gradually scatter out, resulting
in mainly high clouds overnight, potentially even clear out for a
few hours. Clouds return during the pre-dawn hours, bringing back
mid-level ceilings, as bands of showers/t-storms approach from
the south. Some of this precipitation over southwestern and
southern MN will make a run for east-central MN late morning into
the early afternoon hours, possibly bringing conditions down to
MVFR. Conditions are expected to improve late tomorrow afternoon
through tomorrow evening.

KMSP...Have made few changes from the 23/00z TAF, but did go with
a little more confidence in the 13z-18z timeframe as -SHRA VCTS for
convection potentially impacting MSP. Still looking for mainly
MVFR conditions with the precipitation but cannot rule out IFR
conditions, specifically visibility, should a strong SHRA/TSRA
directly impact MSP.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
THU...Mainly VFR with -SHRA/TSRA possible late. Wind S 10 kts.
FRI...Mainly VFR with -SHRA/TSRA possible late. Wind SW 5-10 kts.
SAT...VFR. Wind SW 5-10 kts.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 358 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

Memorial Day looks to have the potential to be the hottest we've
seen in over 10 years, and in the top 5 warmest in some locations.
Forecast highs for Monday are 87, 89, and 90 degrees at Eau
Claire, St Cloud, and Minneapolis respectively. Here is how those
would stack up climatologically speaking for Memorial Day:

KMSP:
*Last time we hit 90 degrees or higher on Memorial Day - 94 on
 May 29, 2006
*Record value for Memorial Day - 95 on May 30, 1939
*Top 5 warmest (including ties):
5/30/1939 (95),
5/29/2006 (94),
5/30/1988 (91),
5/30/1994 (91),
5/30/1944 (88),
5/30/2011 (88)

KSTC:
*Last time we hit 90 degrees or higher on Memorial Day - 92 on May
 29, 2006
*Record value for Memorial Day - 92 (occurred on 5/30/1939,
 5/30/1994, and 5/29/2006)
*Top 5 warmest (including ties):
5/30/1939 (92),
5/30/1994 (92),
5/29/2006 (92),
5/30/1988 (91),
5/26/2014 (86)

KEAU:
*Last time we hit 90 degrees or higher on Memorial Day - 95 on
 May 29, 2006
*Record value for Memorial Day - 95 on May 29, 2006
*Top 5 warmest (including ties):
5/29/2006 (95),
5/30/1988 (90),
5/30/1953 (88),
5/30/1994 (88),
5/30/2011 (86)

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...JLT
LONG TERM...LS
AVIATION...JPC
CLIMATE...LS

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
429 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

MNZ041>045-047>070-076>078-WIZ014>016-023>028-240930-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-
Pepin-Eau Claire-
429 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Minnesota...east central Minnesota...south central Minnesota...
southeast Minnesota...west central Minnesota...northwest
Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a chance of thunderstorms today. A few storms could
produce large hail, gusty winds and heavy rainfall, primarily over
west central Minnesota.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Thunderstorm chances continue Thursday through Friday evening. A
few storms could produce large hail, gusty winds and heavy
rainfall.

A long duration heat wave is possible Thursday through Memorial
Day weekend. High temperatures may rise into the upper 80s to mid
90s each day with heat indices in the low to mid 90s. The very
warm temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a
heightened risk for heat illnesses, especially for those who are
active or working outdoors.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed Thursday afternoon and
evening.

MNZ073>075-082>085-091>093-240930-
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-
Faribault-Freeborn-
429 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central
Minnesota and southwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Thunderstorms with periods of heavy rainfall will be ongoing
at daybreak across parts of southwest and south central Minnesota.
Ponding of water on roads and localized flooding are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Thunderstorm chances continue Thursday through Friday evening. A
few storms could produce large hail, gusty winds and heavy
rainfall.

A long duration heat wave is possible Thursday through Memorial
Day weekend. High temperatures may rise into the upper 80s to mid
90s each day with heat indices in the low to mid 90s. The very
warm temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a
heightened risk for heat illnesses, especially for those who are
active or working outdoors.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed Thursday afternoon and
evening.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
322 AM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

MNZ082-091-231015-
Watonwan-Martin-
322 AM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND LOCALIZED MINOR FLOODING EXPECTED...

VERY HEAVY RAIN WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED FLOODING WILL AFFECT
THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

Watonwan...Martin...

At 315 AM CDT...VERY HEAVY RAIN WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED
FLOODING WAS over Fairmont, and other communities in Watonwan and
Martin counties. Thunderstorms continued to form in western Watonwan
and Martin counties since midnight. These storms were moving very
slowly to the southeast and producing rainfall rates of 1 to 2
inches per hour. Through 5 am, an additional one or two inches of
rainfall is possible in the same areas that have already received
heavy rainfall since midnight.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
Fairmont, St. James, Sherburn, Truman, Trimont, Iowa Lake and
Okamanpedan Lake.

This includes Interstate 90 between mile markers 82 and 109.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...AS WELL AS FARM AND COUNTRY ROADS. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL ACROSS FLOODED ROADS. FIND ALTERNATE ROUTES.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE.

LAT...LON 4350 9485 4411 9485 4411 9438 4385 9437
      4350 9425
TIME...MOT...LOC 0817Z 180DEG 0KT 4398 9475

JLT