FXUS63 KEAX 221728 AFDEAX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 1228 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026 ...Updated 18z Aviation... .KEY MESSAGES... - Much cooler today with strong northerly winds of 25-30 mph and gusts of 30-40 mph. - Elevated fire weather conditions due to the strong winds. - Next chance for precipitation comes late this week, with the best chances coming late Thursday - Friday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 136 AM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026 The very strong upper-level ridge has weakened some and broadened out as faster upper-level flow and several waves suppress it. One of those waves will track across the Central Plains today and help to push a cold front southward through the area. That front is currently situated from central Nebraska eastward through central Iowa. Temperatures north of the front are in the 50s and 60s. As that front moves southward through the area today, winds will increase from the north. Along and behind the front, the pressure gradient increases substantially, with models showing 40-50 microbar/km. This suggest sustained winds should be in the 25-30 mph range for several hours after the front moves through. Forecast soundings show winds at the top of the top of mixed-layer around 35kts over far eastern KS and MO. So wind gusts to 40 mph at times look possible. Overall, it looks windy, but it also looks like we'll not see winds strong enough for a Wind Advisory. Ensemble probabilities seem to confirm the marginal nature of this with low or even no probability for sustained winds of 30 mph or stronger and gusts 45 mph or stronger. While we won't be as dry as yesterday, when humidity values bottomed out in the 15-20% range, we should still see minimum humidity values in the 30-40% range. With winds gusting 30-40 mph at times this afternoon, elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions will exist across the region. Temperatures will be near-normal Monday, with highs in the mid to upper 50s. Temperatures then trend warmer through Thursday as upper ridging reestablishes itself over the Southwest and spreads eastward through the middle of the week. Highs Wednesday and Thursday will climb into the mid 80s as a result. 90 degree readings can't be ruled out Thursday either as there may be some compressional warming ahead of another cold front moving through the area. That front will bring our next chance for precipitation late Thursday into the day Friday. Temperatures return to normal Friday and Saturday as cooler air settles into the region behind the front. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1225 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026 The cold front is passing through, shifting the winds northerly. Wind gusts above 30 kts are possible through this afternoon. VFR ceilings will come and go through the afternoon and evening. Winds will start to diminish during the overnight hours. && .EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MO...None. KS...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...CDB AVIATION...Krull