824 FXUS63 KTOP 022333 AFDTOPArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 633 PM CDT Thu Oct 2 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
-Warm and dry weather continue through the weekend.
-Precipitation chances increase early next week with cooler weather expected late in this forecast period.
-Questions remain on the timing of rain, however, which will be based on the position of a cold front.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu Oct 2 2025
The synoptic pattern across the CONUS this afternoon features a large mid-level ridge of high pressure extending from the Desert Southwest to the mid-Atlantic coastline, with an embedded weak and decaying shortwave trough over Missouri. An amplified mid-level trough axis sits off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. At the surface, high pressure is centered along the northeastern coastline and southerly flow exists across the central US.
Temperatures remain summer-like for the next few days as the upper ridge holds firm over the middle of the country into Saturday before southwest flow develops ahead of the approaching western trough axis. Lows will be in the 60s with highs in the mid to upper 80s through the weekend with dry weather likely persisting for much of the area. South winds will become quite breezy on Saturday as the pressure gradient increases in response to deepening low pressure ahead of that western wave. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph could be common, especially toward central portions of the state.
A cold front should approach the forecast area from the northwest late this weekend and early next week, which will finally bring some changes to the forecast in regards to temps and precip chances. The main question is where the front will set up and when it will eventually push south of the CWA. Current thinking is that the front will make it I-70 Sunday night and near I-35 by midday Monday. The front may then stall for a time before progressing at the quicker pace to the south on Tuesday as high pressure builds in from the north. Temps and precip will be dependent on the frontal position with cooler conditions and rain chances higher north of the boundary. We will at least see rain chances for the entire area between Monday and Tuesday, and cooler weather area-wide by the middle of next week.
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.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 629 PM CDT Thu Oct 2 2025
Expect VFR conditions for the next 24 hours. Southerly winds should remain under 10 KTS at KTOP and KMHK, though KMHK may have sustain southerly winds up to 12KTS with some minor gusts Friday afternoon.
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.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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DISCUSSION...Teefey AVIATION...Gargan
NWS TOP Office Area Forecast Discussion