638 FXUS63 KMPX 042356 AFDMPXArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 656 PM CDT Thu Sep 4 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Strong Clipper to bring a round of rain & isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
- Very gusty winds will follow the Clipper system across western and southern MN tonight.
- Cool temperatures continue through the weekend, before rebounding next week.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 243 PM CDT Thu Sep 4 2025
Radar imagery shows that scattered showers have moved into central MN early this afternoon as our incoming Clipper system arrives. Across southern MN, clear skies and southerly flow have allowed temperatures to warm into the low to mid 60s. To the north, increasing clouds have kept temperatures below 60. The surface low is currently located over eastern ND and will travel generally east into WI by tonight. An incoming upper-level jet will cause the low to deepen, which will cause rain to become more widespread around the low as we go into this afternoon and evening. Rain looks certain for central, south-central, and eastern MN during this afternoon before shifting into southeastern MN and west-central WI this evening. A few thunderstorms are also possible ahead of the cold front that will extend south into southern MN. It is here, within the greater surface heating, where a small risk of severe thunderstorms exists; the main concern being damaging wind gusts. The other concern will be the strengthening northwesterly winds within the wake of the Clipper system. The deepening low will create a strong pressure gradient, which will drive up wind speeds and gusts, particularly across western and southern MN, through tonight. Most of the CWA will see gusts of at least 25 MPH with the strongest gusts expected in western to southern MN where values will reach 30 to possibly 40 MPH. Have bumped up wind gusts from the previous forecast and coordinated with neighboring offices to issue a Wind Advisory from 4-9 PM for our western MN counties.
The low will move east into the Upper Great Lakes by Friday morning. Precipitation should end from west to east relatively quickly as mid- level drying occurs in the wake of the low. Though, some lingering showers may exist over eastern MN and WI early Friday morning. Winds will also be on the decrease as the pressure gradient weakens. However, Friday still will be breezy with partly cloudy skies. Additionally, with highs only warming into the upper 50s to lower 60s, Friday will certainly feel like Fall. Winds will lighten up as we begin the weekend but temperatures will remain cool. Saturday`s highs will be very similar to Friday`s with perhaps a slightly better chance of isolated showers as an impulse within the upper- level flow moves through the Northern Plains. The coolest night of the forecast period looks to be Saturday night as upper 30s to lower 40s are forecast for lows. Clearing skies and light winds could also cause lows to overachieve meaning another Frost Advisory may be needed.
A warming trend will commence the first half of next week as the northwesterly upper-level flow looks to be replaced by zonal flow (by Tuesday) and then eventual ridging (by Thursday). Most guidance favors highs returning into the 70s by mid-week. The forecast for next week also looks pretty dry. The exception could be Monday night where a final shortwave out of the departing northwesterly flow could bring a chance for rain showers. Currently have 30-50% PoPs across southern MN and west-central WI. Otherwise, things should remain relatively mild until at least next weekend when a greater warm-up is suggested by some long-range guidance. However, models begin to really diverge by this time period leading to low forecast certainty.
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.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 613 PM CDT Thu Sep 4 2025
Low pressure center with associated cold front nearly atop central MN at initialization, with rain swath from southern- eastern MN into western WI, all continuing to shift east. Far southern MN showers/storms showing quite the punch, with some wind gusts in excess of 50kts which have already moved thru RWF and will likely come very close to that at MKT within the first hour of this TAF set. Otherwise, rain has already exited AXN-STC with rain expected at MSP and the WI TAF sites over the next 2-3 hours. Minimum vsby in TSRA will be down to around 1sm while showers will be down into MVFR range. Behind the showers, the front will be responsible for a sharp wind direction shift along with a strong increase in speeds which will continue through the overnight hours tonight, not really diminishing until midday Friday. MVFR ceilings are also possible late tonight into Friday morning post-front, followed by clearing as the day progresses Friday. Have removed the LLWS mention as stronger surface winds plus lighter winds aloft than previously forecast combine to alleviate LLWS conditions.
KMSP...Rain with visibility into MVFR rain to persist for the first couple hours of this TAF set. TS/CB not expected as best chances are well south of MSP. As the rain moves through, winds will make a sharp swing around the compass from SE to SW to NW during the first 3 or so hours of this TAF, while speeds increase to nearly 20G40kts. Post-front, ceilings will drop into MVFR range prior to sunrise and remain there until midday while the strong NW winds continue. Speeds will diminish and skies will gradually clear out during the afternoon hours. Have removed the LLWS mention as stronger surface winds plus lighter winds aloft than previously forecast combine to alleviate LLWS conditions.
/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ SAT...VFR. Wind NW 10 kts. SUN...VFR. Wind NW 5-10 kts. MON...VFR. Wind S 10 kts.
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.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...Wind Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for Chippewa-Lac Qui Parle-Stevens-Swift-Yellow Medicine. WI...None.
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DISCUSSION...CTG AVIATION...JPC
NWS MPX Office Area Forecast Discussion