499 FXUS63 KTOP 062009 AFDTOP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 309 PM CDT Wed Oct 6 2021 .DISCUSSION... Issued at 309 PM CDT Wed Oct 6 2021 Lower cloud rather prevalent again today after some morning fog in western locations dissipated. The cloud cover is farther west than yesterday at this time and may be enough to keep more fog formation in check tonight, though light winds and a moist boundary layer bring the potential in any consistent clearing. Later shifts will again need to monitor trends into Thursday morning. An area of showers rotating around the Arkansas upper low was working west across southern Missouri but looks to stay just east late this afternoon. The upper low is ushered northeast tonight into Thursday as southwest flow aloft expands over the central Rockies. Decreasing clouds and veered low-level winds should bring warmer afternoon temps. A decent isentropic upglide setup takes shape late Thursday evening into early Friday morning as lapse rates aloft steepen giving rise to a MUCAPE of around 200 J/kg. Moisture is somewhat lacking and keeps the chances for anything more than isolated convection low. Temps Friday continue to rise under continued modest WAA and good mid-day insolation though mixing is somewhat limited. Warmest temps of this forecast still expected for Saturday as 850 mb temps rise in the lower to mid 20s C, supporting highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s, though there are again questions on mixing potential with a surface low nearby. Even with weaker winds elevated fire danger is expected as RH values fall into the 20s and 30s. An active pattern takes shape over the late weekend and into the middle of next week as a few upper troughs/lows move northeast through the central CONUS. The first wave is more closed then earlier runs for better precip potential late Sunday into Monday, though instability still is somewhat in question with the handling of a lead wave to the northeast and its impact on a cold front ahead of the main trough. Instability should be much more readily available for the next low in the Tuesday into Wednesday night periods as the first front stalls in north Texas, and though the timing of the associated cold front may not be ideal, some thunderstorms are likely with plenty of shear. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1239 PM CDT Wed Oct 6 2021 Challenging forecast with lower cloud decks lingering over light winds and a relatively humid boundary layer. Expect MVFR cigs to the east to advect into TOP and FOE though diurnal processes may keep levels at the VFR cutoff, with some continued rises through late afternoon. Conditions will likely deteriorate in the 02Z-12Z window though much will depend on persistence of stratus and some high cloud associated with the upper low to east. Have gone into MVFR range at all sites for now though IFR and lower conditions are quite possible. VFR conditions should return by the end of the forecast. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && $$ DISCUSSION...65 AVIATION...65