Hail in Minnesota, April 28, 2022

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1250 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022

.SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight)
Issued at 357 AM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022

Have seen a few thunderstorms across our far eastern counties,
likely with one of the subtle short waves and just enough
instability combine. Elsewhere, there have been a few weak returns
over by Huron (or the northwestern portion of our CWA), but thus
far have seen no indication of precip reaching the ground.
Temperatures are in the lower 30s to lower 50s. Satellite shows
quite a bit of high clouds around the region, with stratus
building subtly west along the I-29 corridor. Amounts thus far
have been less than a tenth of an inch, but given that some storms
have trained this AM, could see some isolated higher reports.

Uncertainty remains in today's shower/storm chances for a few
reasons. Models this morning continue to disagree in the location of
the warm front, which may hi-res models are using as a catalyst this
afternoon for storm development. Additionally, all models continue
to display variations in timing/depth/location of the short waves
and different pushes of WAA progged to move through during the day.
Thus, have lower than average confidence in current pops forecast,
as hi-res and even the more broad scale models disagree on today's
evolution. Depending on how far the aforementioned warm front gets
this afternoon/this evening, could see enough instability and
moisture move in along to create an isolated severe hail/wind threat
along the MO River and into northeastern NE (outlined by the 28.06z
SPC Day 1 Outlook), with the HRRR bringing over 1500 J/kg of CAPE
into this area and other models showing ~1000 J/kg of elevated
instability. Given the low confidence in how far north the front
goes and the domino effect, feel severe threat today is minimal, but
folks should be aware that stronger storms are possible.

High temperatures will be highly dependent on the location of the
warm front by this afternoon, especially for the areas along the MO
River and the SD/NE/IA border. NAM/HRRR/RAP solutions remain the
warmest (with the warm front furthest north) and the GFS running
about 10-15 (or more for KSUX) degrees cooler. Given this, have
stayed just on the warmer side of the center of guidance to account
for the breadth of solutions. Cooler highs in the low 50s expected
in southwestern MN, with highs in the mid/upper 60s (possibly
hitting 70) along the MO River and along the Highway 20 corridor.
Expect another breezy day though, as the surface pressure gradient
remains compressed over the northern Plains, although winds west of
the James River may be a bit lighter with less tightness in the
pressure gradient. Although we could see some brief peeks of sun
today, clouds prevail.

Clouds and breezy winds continue tonight, with lows in the 40s to
lower 50s. As with today's pops, uncertainty ahead of the main
wave/low pressure leads to a bit lower confidence in pops. Think
that some areas will see a break in the precip at some point
tonight, with activity remaining fairly scattered. Expect the best
chances for rain tonight west of I-29, where WAA and a short wave
coincide.

.LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday)
Issued at 357 AM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022

Low pressure ejects from CO by daybreak Friday, with the mid and
upper low/trough moving into the northern Plains by mid day
Friday. Models have more agreement in the track of the low this
morning (28.00z runs), but please note that even these slight
differences in track north or south as well as timing will have an
impact on both severe weather and rainfall potential. The ECMWF
remains the furthest north and west with the surface low, while
the GFS/NAM solutions are the furthest south/east. Most models
(outside of the NAM) keep the instability to our south; however, a
few models do have some elevated instability of over 1000 J/kg.
Additionally, with 0-6 km bulk shear 25-40 knots, steep mid level
lapse rates over 7 deg C/km, and potential location of the warm
front and triple point, can't rule out isolated severe storms
south of I-90. Would generally expect elevated storms, with hail
as the main threat, although surface based storms could produce
strong winds. Fronts in the area would provide enhanced shear, so
a tornado cannot be ruled out. Threats/potential is covered well
by the 28.06z SPC Day 2 Outlook.

Unlike previous recent events, ensemble data and probabilities
regarding rainfall amounts have remained steadfast the last few
runs. Ensemble data comparison with climatology still shows PWAT
values above the 90th percentile. Additionally, consistency remains
in the high likelihood of at least some of the area seeing over 0.50"
of rain Friday night through Saturday night, especially areas west
of I-29. Given this and the fairly high deterministic QPF, can't
rule out the potential for some locally heavy rainfall (outlined by
the WPC Day 2 Excessive Rainfall Outlook), especially in
thunderstorms. This forecaster continues to be cautiously optimistic
given trends that some folks may see some beneficial rainfall Friday
through Saturday.

Regardless, breezy to gusty conditions will prevail, particularly on
Saturday as the pressure gradient continues to tighten with the
deepening low near our area. Have followed suit bumping the
winds/gusts Saturday to the NBM 90th percentile. Although discussed
between neighbors, have held off on issuance of any winds headlines
for Saturday with this package. However, headlines may be needed.

Still some differences in timing of the low pressure's exit on
Sunday, but think that after some lingering precip in the east early
in the day, we'll remain dry. Breezy conditions prevail.
Temperatures only warm into the 50s. Cloud cover begins to diminish
through Sunday night and into the early part of the week as the low
moves off to the northeast.

Models for the beginning to middle portion of next week continue to
diverge fairly significantly. Could see a bit more active period
with additional rain chances, but confidence is very low. Expect
Monday to on the cooler side, with CAA and prevailing northwesterly
flow. Generally expect temps to be near or on the cool side of
normal, regardless of which solution verifies. Winds will be
occasionally breezy.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon)
Issued at 1250 PM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will remain possible
through the afternoon hours, with periods of MVFR cigs possible
under areas of rain. IFR stratus for areas west of I-29 will likely
drop into MVFR during the late evening into the overnight period.
Can't rule out an evening shower/storm but it is looking less
likely, with the main activity expected during the late overnight
period and into the daytime hours on Friday. Winds will remain
intermittently breezy and predominantly out of the east throughout
the TAF period.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...NONE.
MN...NONE.
IA...NONE.
NE...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...SG
LONG TERM...SG
AVIATION...APT

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
439 AM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-290945-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-
Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory-
Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-
Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-
Union-
439 AM CDT Thu Apr 28 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South
Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and
southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered showers and storms expected today. An isolated strong to
severe storm is possible across along the Missouri River into
northeastern Nebraska this afternoon and evening. Brief heavy rain is
possible in thunderstorms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Shower and storm chances continue Friday into early Sunday. Isolated
strong to severe storms are possible south of Interstate 90,
although confidence in potential is low. Brief heavy rain is possible
in thunderstorms.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.