292 FXUS63 KTOP 110833 AFDTOP Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 333 AM CDT Thu Oct 11 2018 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 333 AM CDT Thu Oct 11 2018 A weak upper wave in the quick zonal flow was exiting eastern Nebraska early this morning though a much stronger trough was over the central Rockies. Low cloud, rather thin per 0Z OMA and TOP soundings, lingered over eastern portions of Nebraska and Kansas through early this morning on the northeast flank of a ridge of high pressure, though some areas of clearing were occurring. Temperatures and winds under the clear skies continue to support frost potential over the next several hours in mainly north central Kansas. Surface ridge passing on east across the state keeps modest cold air advection in place with weak winds and highs similar to those of Wednesday. Frontogenesis spreads east across the area tonight with a seasonally-strong mid-level baroclinic zone overhead as the Rockies wave enters the Plains. Light to moderate rain should gradually develop east across the state with instability aloft appearing too weak for anything more than isolated convection. Increasing cloud cover will help keep lows mainly in the lower 40s. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 333 AM CDT Thu Oct 11 2018 Models are in agreement with the progression of a mid level trough across the Plains on Friday. Mid level frontogenetic forcing moves over eastern Kansas Friday morning as potential vorticity increases lift over the are yielding widespread rain. Progressive nature of the system will bring an end to precipitation in the afternoon hours. Lowered high temperatures a little on Friday with expected rainfall and lingering cloud cover especially in northeast and east central Kansas. Models are continuing to trend a little further south on Saturday as the remnants of TS Sergio move across the southern Plains. The bulk of the precipitation is likely to focus the heaviest precipitation to the south of a frontal boundary across the southern Plains. A reinforcing shot of cold air arrives Saturday night and Sunday as a cold front pushes through as a mid level trough moves across the northern and central Plains. A broad area of mid level frontogenetic forcing with negative EPV in the 600-500 mb layer will bring a mix of rain and snow to the area as thermal profiles suggest. Light snow will be possible Sunday night into early Monday across the cwa. Very cold temperatures are also expected Sunday night with lows in the 20s bringing a hard freeze to the area. Rising heights and warm advection will moderate temperatures across northeast Kansas back into the 50s and 60s. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) Issued at 1151 PM CDT Wed Oct 10 2018 The overcast stratus ceilings around 3500 feet will scatter out early this morning with mostly clear skies through the remainder of the day. May see some mid level clouds increase Thursday evening. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Frost Advisory until 9 AM CDT this morning for KSZ008>010-020- 021-034. && $$ SHORT TERM...65 LONG TERM...53 AVIATION...Gargan