FXUS63 KTOP 050007

AFDTOP



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Topeka KS

707 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Scattered thunderstorms expected to develop tonight after sunset. 

A few severe storms possible (30%), with large hail and damaging 

winds the main hazards.



- Much cooler tomorrow and Wednesday behind cold front, with 

occasional periods of rain.



- Gradually warming up again towards the weekend.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 1245 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026



Broad confluent flow evident on water vapor imagery this afternoon, 

with one deep upper low dropping southeast over the Northern Plains 

while another spins just offshore California. The northern stream 

low is beginning to push a cold front southward through the area. As 

that occurs this evening, isentropic ascent will increase along and 

north of the boundary, allowing scattered thunderstorms to develop 

within the unstable airmass. Forecast soundings indicate storms will 

likely be a bit high-based and elevated, but in an environment of 

moderate CAPE (1500-2000 J/kg), moderate effective shear (~35 kts), 

and very steep mid-level lapse rates (8-8.5 C/km). So large hail 

potentially up to golf ball size looks to be the main hazard with 

any initially developing storm, followed by some damaging wind 

potential as updrafts become more numerous just along/behind the 

front.



Much cooler air will filter in behind the front overnight. With the 

southern stream upper low still well to our southwest, we'll see a 

longer period of continued isentropic ascent atop the chilly 

airmass. So off and on rain chances look to continue throughout the 

day Tuesday and into Wednesday. Particularly if low clouds can 

linger throughout the day, this will keep temperatures down, with 

highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.



The main trough axis looks to pass off to our east by Thursday, 

bringing in drier and sunnier conditions. This should help us begin 

another warming trend into the weekend ahead of our next upper 

trough. Details with this system are fuzzy 5-6 days out, but in 

generally expect another increase in rain chances as it approaches.



&&



.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...

Issued at 650 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026



A few scattered thunderstorms may develop over or close to the

terminals after 3Z. A cold front will pass through and most of the

thunderstorms will move southeast of the terminals. light rain 

showers may continue through after 9Z into the morning hours, north 

of the front. At this time ceilings should remain above 4000 feet.



&&



.TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

None.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...Reese

AVIATION...Gargan