144 FXUS63 KOAX 301731 AFDOAX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 1131 AM CST Mon Dec 30 2019 ...Updated Aviation Forecast Discussion... .DISCUSSION... Issued at 355 AM CST Mon Dec 30 2019 A strong mid-upper cyclone is currently centered over southern Minnesota and is forecast to slowly slide east/southeast today and toward the Great Lakes region tonight. This tightly wound system continues to produce light snow along the backside across portions of our area which could add an additional few tenths of an inch of snow through the morning. The main story through the day will be the gusty northwest winds causing areas of blowing and drifting, especially across portions of northeast Nebraska. Peak gusts so far are generally around 35-45 mph across northeast Nebraska, but KOFK has seen gusts as high as 55 mph overnight. Due to blowing and drifting, we will continue current headlines through 6am and then transition over to a winter weather advisory, in coordination with the neighboring offices. Some areas outside of the winter weather advisory may reach wind advisory criteria for a few hours today, but the bulk of the highest wind gusts are forecast to remain across the current advisory area. Will also extend the advisory for Knox, Antelope and Pierce counties through 6pm due to lingering blowing and drifting. Tonight and Tuesday... As the cyclone continues to weaken and move over the Great Lakes region tonight, surface winds will relax and skies will begin to clear from southwest to northeast. By Tuesday, westerly surface winds will support downslope flow to allow temperatures to warm into the 30s across most areas with mid to upper 20s likely in areas with deeper snowpack. Wednesday and beyond... A western mid-level trough will amplify as it moves east across the central Plains and extend southward into the southern Plains. This will allow a cold front to move through the area Wednesday night into Thursday which could produce light precipitation across the area. In the meantime, a fast moving clipper system will quickly move southeast through the northern Plains and develop into one large mid-level trough to our east by the weekend. This will allow a colder airmass to sink southward into the area while amplified ridging develops to our west bringing much warmer temperatures into the area by late in the weekend. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1128 AM CST Mon Dec 30 2019 MVFR ceilings are likely to continue through at least 00 UTC, but are expected to scatter out between 01-04 UTC at all sites. Ceilings will then build back in at OFK and OMA after 06Z. There is some potential for cigs to build back in at LNK as well, but currently looks more likely to remain VFR after the initial scattering. Winds will remain greater than 12 kts through the TAF period, but gusts should be reduced after 00 UTC. && .OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST today for NEZ012-015-018- 031>033. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for NEZ011- 016-017. IA...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Kern AVIATION...Barjenbruch