National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Atmospheric River Continues to Impact the Northwest U.S.; Gusty to High Winds in the Northeast U.S.

A strong atmospheric river will continue moderate to heavy rainfall with possible flooding, gusty to high winds, and mountain snows for parts of the Northwest U.S. into Thursday. Additional impacts are likely into Friday with a cold front. A fast-moving storm system will cross the Northeast U.S. Wednesday into Thursday with gusty to high winds and areas of rain and high elevation snow showers. Read More >

Recreation Forecasts

Latest Hot Air Balloon Text Forecast

We'd like to know how you use this forecast. Please send a note to our Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Aaron Woodward. Thanks!

                        
202
SXUS43 KUNR 051001
RECUNR

Morning Hot Air Balloon Forecast
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
301 AM MST Wed Nov 5 2025

This forecast is information to assist pilots and aircrews for flight planning
and is not to be considered as a sole source of information to meet all
preflight actions. Pilots should receive a complete preflight briefing from a
Flight Service Station (1-800-WXBRIEF) or online via 1800wxbrief.com.

...HERE IS THE MORNING HOT AIR BALLOON FORECAST
FOR THE HOT SPRINGS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT...

.THIS MORNING...
    Sunrise:                         635 AM.

    Surface Wind Forecast:           6 AM...170/05 mph.
                                     8 AM...170/08G16 mph.

    Boundary Layer Wind:             7 AM...150/09 mph. Depth 600 ft.
                                     9 AM...160/14 mph. Depth 1800 ft.

    RAP Winds (at 7 AM):              250ft...170/06 mph.
                                      500ft...180/07 mph.
                                     1000ft...210/09 mph.
                                     2000ft...240/08 mph.
                                     3000ft...300/08 mph.

    Surface Lifted Index:            6 AM...+17.
                                     9 AM...+18.

    Density Altitude:                6 AM...2595 ft.
                                     8 AM...3052 ft.

    Additional Weather Info:         clear below 12000 feet AGL,
                                     unrestricted visibilities.


.OUTLOOK FOR THIS AFTERNOON...
    Sunset:         437 PM.

    Weather:        clear below 12000 feet AGL,
                    unrestricted visibilities.

    Surface Wind:   3 PM...160/13G21 mph.
                    5 PM...150/12 mph.

    Boundary Wind:  3 PM...160/20 mph. Depth 800 ft.
                    5 PM...170/18 mph. Depth 600 ft.

    RAP Winds (at 3 PM):  250ft...160/10 mph.
                          500ft...180/24 mph.
                         1000ft...190/32 mph.
                         2000ft...200/31 mph.
                         3000ft...210/24 mph.


.OUTLOOK FOR TOMORROW MORNING...
    Surface Wind Forecast:           6 AM...270/16 mph.
                                     8 AM...270/15G22 mph.

    RAP Winds (at 7 AM):              250ft...230/07 mph.
                                      500ft...240/20 mph.
                                     1000ft...260/32 mph.
                                     2000ft...270/46 mph.
                                     3000ft...270/53 mph.

    Additional Weather Info:         clear below 12000 feet AGL,
                                     unrestricted visibilities.


This forecast is not routinely updated or amended outside of any scheduled
issuances.

&&

Additional aviation observations and forecasts are available at
aviationweather.gov. You can also read the local aviation forecast discussion
at https://www.aviationweather.gov/fcstdisc.

$$

WFO UNR



                

Note: "Boundary layer" above refers to the planetary boundary layer, or the layer within which the effects of friction are significant (courtesy of the NWS Glossary). The depth of this layer will vary throughout the day, typically reaching its maximum depth in the afternoon and minimum depth overnight.

Link: Vertical Wind Profile for Hot Springs Municipal Airport (courtesy CWSU Seattle)

 

The soundings below show temperature (in red) and dew point (in green) at decreasing pressures (increasing heights) throughout the atmosphere.

Winds (in knots; 1 knot = 1.15078 mph) are shown at right.
Pennants or flags correspond to 50 kt, long barbs represent 10 kt, and short barbs represent 5 kt. Winds are also colored by magnitude.
The shaft points to the direction from which the wind is blowing. More information about wind barbs can be found here.

 

Latest Observed Sounding from Rapid City


Latest Observed Sounding from Rapid City

 

 

Forecast Soundings for the Hot Springs Municipal Airport (click to zoom)

Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding
Hot Springs Forecast Sounding Hot Springs Forecast Sounding