239 FXUS63 KTOP 032331 AFDTOPArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 631 PM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- After above normal temps between 85-90 degrees this weekend, a cool down arrives with readings dropping to the 70s next week.
- Chances for rain and thunderstorms increase Sunday afternoon, becoming most likely over north central Kansas late Sunday night- Monday morning.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 201 PM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025
Upper ridge axis remains anchored across the southern and central CONUS this afternoon, focusing on the incoming shortwave trough that will impact portions of the region this weekend. In the meantime, low level troughing towards the western high plains has induced the gusty south winds this afternoon, particularly north central areas where occasional gusts up to 30 mph are observed. Enhanced mixing and WAA has boosted dewpoints to the low 60s, combined with temps in the 80s has made it feel close to 90 degrees area wide. Lows this evening may not cool off as quickly. The boundary layer remains mixed as a low level jet increases through central Kansas. The south winds once again increase Saturday afternoon area wide from 15 to 25 mph sustained. Gusts over 30 mph are most common west of highway 75.
As the midlevel jet max ejects into the plains by late Saturday evening, residual shower and thunderstorms may redevelop ahead of cold front by early Sunday afternoon. Shower activity should become more widespread with aid from the h85 jet Sunday night. Highest pops towards north central KS are supported by the incoming cold front. Severe probs are low given that mid level lapse rates are weak and instability values are less than 1000 J/KG.
The spread in NBM pops and subsequent temps lends to uncertainty in the forecast next Monday and Tuesday. Ensembles are varied on the location of the embedded vort maxes while the cold front gradually sags southward through Monday evening. NBM probabilities for at least 0.25 inches of rainfall through Tuesday are generally located along and north of I-70. Those numbers drop between 15 to 20% for QPF amounts of 1 inch.
Remainder of the forecast period is dry and near normal in terms of temps as a 1030mb sfc ridge overspreads the region into the Great Lakes. Highs in the 70s become more of the norm. Late next week, an additional disturbance brings potential rain chances to region.
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.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 630 PM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025
VFR conditions prevail. Southerly winds should stay up around 10 kts at MHK through the overnight hours, while TOP/FOE turn just a bit lighter. Overall, forecast soundings are suggestive of turbulent mixing through the low levels with a 35-40 kt LLJ overhead, so with this in mind will keep LLWS out of TAFs. Sfc winds pick back up out of the south mid to late morning with gusts around 25 kts persisting to the tail end of this forecast period.
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.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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DISCUSSION...Prieto AVIATION...Picha
NWS TOP Office Area Forecast Discussion