Elkhorn Post Office, Wisconsin Weather Forecast Discussion

171
FXUS63 KMKX 200134
AFDMKX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
834 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms (40-50% chances) over
  south central WI tonight with only 20-30% chances over far
  eastern WI late tonight.
- A potential (but not guaranteed) lull in shower / storm
  activity mid Saturday morning, with scattered showers / storms
  likely to redevelop Saturday afternoon and persist into the
  evening. Additional storm chances through early next week.
- A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from Sheboygan to Winthrop
  Harbor tonight into Saturday afternoon due to breezy east to
  southeast winds and building waves.
- A Beach Hazard Statement is in effect from Sheboygan County
  south through Racine County due to a High Swim Risk tonight
  into Saturday afternoon. Persistent breezy east to southeast
  winds and building waves are forecast.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued 834 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
The westward moving shallow cold front has moved into sw WI
while a narrow band of PVA is moving into sw WI from IA. Thus
expect the scattered showers and storms near the MS River to
develop into south central WI this evening. Isolated showers and
storms will also drift nwd from IL. MLCAPE of 1000 J/KG should
hold through the evening west of Madison but MLCIN around 100
J/KG will build into ern WI with any showers and storms
elevated. Chances for showers and storms will continue during
the overnight into Sat AM as the PVA and moist sly flow aloft
shifts ewd. The shortwave trough currently over wrn IA will then
lift newd across srn WI on Sat with 50-70% chances for showers
and storms in the afternoon.
Gehring
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued 255 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
Tonight through Saturday night:
Isolated showers have just begun to pop up near the I-39 / I-90
corridor, one of which (north of Pardeeville) just produced a
lightning strike. CAMs are in disagreement as to when this
activity will begin to increase to `scattered` coverage, with
some open to as early as 5 PM, and others more hesitant until
after 9 PM (like the 18z HRRR). In either case, storms would
ramp up to scattered coverage and gradually fill eastward to
encompass the rest of the southern half of Wisconsin into
Tonight. Lightning would be the primary concern with this
activity, given that the convective bases are mostly elevated,
and we have modest 0-3km shear but weak deep shear. 500mb winds,
for reference, are only 15-20kt southerlies at the moment. Not
expecting much in the way of `strong` storms, though 1500 joules
SBCAPE would certainly suffice for some lightning.
As storms gradually ramp down in coverage early Saturday
morning, we may enter what most CAMs are depicting as a lull in
the activity, lasting through the rest of Saturday morning
(though lingering instability would be sufficient to fuel a
shower / weak storm if one were to form during this time).
Redevelopment of scattered showers / thunderstorms is then
looking likely into Saturday afternoon as the 500mb trough axis
draws closer. This activity may then continue through Saturday
evening, decreasing in coverage late Saturday night.
The aforementioned timelines could certainly change as the event
unfolds, with low predictability. That said, the lack of
significant moisture return / destabilization between each
potential wave of convection is likely to limit the strength /
longevity of these storms. The off and on nature of these storms
coupled with the current dry soils means hydrologic concerns
are not expected, mainly just a beneficial rainfall.
Sheppard
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued 255 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
Sunday through Friday:
Upper level low pressure lingers over northern Minnesota /
Wisconsin into Sunday with periods of 500mb perturbations rolling
through. Coupled with lingering surface pressure troughing, this
will extend the periodic shower / thunderstorm chances through
early next week. It`s worth noting that this will not be a
`complete wash` by any means, the lack of sufficient moisture
return and upper level dynamics makes it unlikely for us to
witness any stronger storms, and any rounds of showers / weak
storms would likely be separated by periods of calmer conditions.
Ensemble models indicate it is likely for daytime high temps to
remain in the mid 70s into early next week, with a gradual trend
towards low 70s and perhaps 60s towards mid next week / late
next week. High pressure will eventually build into the region
from the north and reduce rain chances. Plenty of dispersion in
model guidance as to when this will occur, but a rough estimate
would be Tuesday morning, leaving only 10-30% precip chances
from then onwards.
Sheppard
&&
.AVIATION...
Issued 834 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
VFR conditions this evening followed by areas of low stratus of
600-1900 feet and MVFR Vsbys via BR north and west of KMSN and
north of KMKE during the early morning hours. The low stratus
may remain through the late morning or early afternoon north of
KMSN and KMKE. Areas of MVFR Cigs will then be possible
throughout the day over srn WI with numerous showers and storms
expected in the afternoon. Areas of MVFR Cigs and scattered
showers could then linger into Sat nt.
Gehring
&&
.MARINE...
Issued 255 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
Forecast Synopsis / Open Waters:
East to northeast winds gradually build today, reaching 15 to
20 kt speeds over northern portions of the lake as high pressure
of 30.3 inches drifts southeastward across Ontario Canada. High
pressure deepens to 30.4 inches tonight, working with weak
surface low pressure over the northern Great Plains to veer
winds east to southeast, with the fastest speeds tonight (around
25 kts) over the southern half of the lake. Southeast winds
gradually subside throughout Saturday, remaining a bit breezy
over the northern tip of the lake. Slower winds will veer due
south into Sunday.
Intermittent rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected
tonight through Monday night.
Nearshore Zones:
Tonight`s breezy east to southeast winds over the southern half
of Lake Michigan are expected to build waves of 3 to 6 feet over
western nearshore zones (with the highest waves between
Milwaukee and Sheboygan). As such, a Small Craft Advisory has
been issued. It expires mid Saturday afternoon as winds and
waves decline.
Sheppard
&&
.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Beach Hazards Statement...WIZ052-WIZ060-WIZ066-WIZ071...1 AM
     Saturday to 4 PM Saturday.
LM...Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646...1 AM
     Saturday to 4 PM Saturday.
&&
$$
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NWS MKX Office Area Forecast Discussion