New Year's Eve

8:00pm

Overview
A low pressure system is over the Carolinas with a cold front stretched West & SW through the SE U.S. and along the Gulf Coast. In the wake of this front, a broad ridge of high pressure is centered over the Central Plains and continuing to build. A weak piece of energy is moving across the Northern Plains & upper- Midwest.

Discussion

In the wake of a passing trough, a broad ridge of high pressure (centered to our south) will continue to build across the plains, Midwest & Mississippi/Ohio river valleys. Through the next several days, we will remain under the influence of this high. Our weather pattern will become quiet as we kick off the new year. 2016 will begin with plenty of sunshine, in & out light clouds, temps warming well into the upper 20s & lower 30s and winds becoming breezy, out of the West &  NW. The next 7days bring a very low chance for any precip. This set-up does not happen too often and is due (in part) to a strengthening El Nino pattern. The latest satellite data and model guidance combine to suggest that the predicted El Nino is entering its peak stage. This means that ridging will continue to build over SW Canada, Northern Plains & the NW U.S.  this ridging centered to our South & West will lead to a split flow. Most of the active weather will stretch from California, into the Gulf Coast states through the weekend.
On a different note, I have brought overnight lows up (ranging through the teens with a few lower 20s possible). Despite model guidance keeping lows in the single digits & teens, our recent pattern coupled with some upper- level clouds has prompted me to bring lows up a few degrees compared to guidance & other forecasts. Tonight will be cool before warming begins and temps climb into the lower to mid 30s (Friday) for parts of Western, ND.

Through the rest of tonight & Friday

Snow chances have fallen out of the forecast with a moderate & gusty wind out of the West. Higher wind speeds will lead to some blowing snow, possible. Otherwise, expect fair to partly cloudy skies with more clearing tomorrow morning. Overnight temperatues will dip into the mid to upper teens before Midnight. Through the early morning hours, temps will gradually warm through the seasonable range. Friday, expect plenty of sunshine with some in & out clouds, continued gusty winds and temps warming well through the 20s (topping out on either side of 30).

 7day planner

Plenty of sunshine with in & out clouds, above average temperatures and low snow chances will be our headines through the weekend. Temps will range from the teens and single digits, to the upper 20s & lower 30s. A broad ridge of high pressure will begin to give way to other features through the beginning of our work week. Through Humpday (Wednesday) expect more clouds with temps settlin into a more seasonable range.  

NEW YEAR'S EVE (Tonight)...Fair skies with in & out (light) clouds and temps beginning to warm through the AM hours. Lows 12-20. West & NW wind 5-15mph becoming gusty at times. Chills in the single digits & near zero.

NEW YEAR,S DAY (Friday)...Plenty of sunshine with a few clouds and mild temps. Highs 25-33. West wind 10-20mph & Gusty.

FRIDAY NIGHT...Fair skies with lows in the double digits. Lows 10-17. West wind 2-10mph. Chills in the single digits.

SATURDAY...Mostly sunny skies with a few clouds and continued mild temps. Highs 26-33. W/NW wind 5-15mph. AM chills in the teens.

SATURDAY NIGHT...Fair skies with temps returning into a more seasonable range. Lows 6-12. Light NW wind. Chills in the single digits (near zero for some).

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Wednesday's Weather Blog

9:30pm

OverviewA low pressure system is over NE U.S. with a front stretched south along the Atlantic Coastline. A weak low over the Northern Plains will dissipate as it moves East & SE. A warm front is stretched NE from this low and will move through the Dakotas Thursday.

Discussion

A front over the Atlantic coastline will continue moving East and over the Atlantic Ocean with rain chances remaining likely for affected areas. A weak low over the Northern Plains has continued to bring scattered snow showers to North Dakota through the past two days. This low will fizzle out as it brings a warm front over our area. Until this front moves through the state, current conditions (cloudy skies, scattered snow showers & seasonable temps) will continue. As this front moves into NW North Dakota, there will be another round of scattered snow. This front will move through the state from the NW to the SE. By tomorrow, more significant changes will begin after Noon. Expect the chance for scattered, light snow showers to end before skies begin to clear. By New Years Eve (Thursday Night) we will be under fair to partly cloudy skies with temps settling into the teens.

The end of the work week & weekend, temperatures will warm well into an unseasonably warm range. Temps will remain slightly above average (for this time of the year) through the weekend with plenty of sunshine, coupled with in & out clouds.

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday
Skies will remain cloudy with temperatures falling into the teens & single digits. Winds will be light to moderate, swinging around to the NW. It will feel 10-15 degrees below actual temps. Scattered flurries and light snow showers are expected tonight through tomorrow morning. Tomorrow, conditions will start off much similar to what we saw today. Expect mostly cloudy with snow chances tapering off followed by gradually clearing skies. Temps will climb through the teens and top out on either side of 20 degrees.

 7day plannerExpect continued cloudy skies with some scattered snow moving through the area, seasonable temps and chills below zero. By New Years Eve (Thursday & Thursday Night) a weak front will move through our area. In the wake of Thursday's front, expect clearing skies followed by a ridge of high pressure expanding over the Dakotas. This ridging, coupled with plenty of sunshine will lead to a warming trend. By the end of the week (and through the weekend) temperatures will warm into the mid to upper 20s. A few locations warming into the lower 30s will not be out of the question. By the end of the weekend and beginning of the (next) work- week, we will see in & out clouds with temps still in the 20s. 

TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with a few scattered snow showers. Lows 2-10. Light to moderate wind out of the West/NW. Chills below zero and in the negative teens. 20% chance for light snow. 


THURSDAY...Early snow chances ending, followed by clearing skies revealing plenty of sunshine. Highs 17-23. NW wind 10-20mph G25. Chills in the teens & single digits.


NEW YEARS EVE (Thursday Night)...Continued clearing skies leading to fair to partly cloudy skies. Lows 6-12. Moderate wind out of the West & NW. Chills below zero & in the negative teens.


NEW YEARS DAY (Friday)...Plenty of sunushine with a few clouds and warming temps. Highs 25-32. West wind 8-16mph.


FRIDAY NIGHT...Fair skies with lows in the double digits. Lows 9-15. Light to moderate wind out of the NW. Chills in the single digits.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Tuesday's Weather Blog

8:00pm

Overview
A low pressure system is over NE U.S. and has a cold front stretched south along the Atlantic Coastline. A secondary low is developing over Eastern Montana. Otherwise, there is a lot of cloud cover stretched through much of the nation.

Discussion
A low pressure system over the NE U.S. will continue to move East and an associated cold front will push over the Atlantic Ocean. Closer to home a weak low pressure system that is just West of the Dakotas will continue to develop and move South & SE. This low is what brought heavy cloud cover and light, scattered snow to our area today. Through the overnight hours, snow chances will start to taper off and cloud cover will stick around. A couple of the latest model runs are hinting at some haze/fog developing through parts of Western, ND. Light, off/on snow showers will remain scattered over the state and move North tonight and Wednesday with little to no accumulation expected. During the next couple of days, expect continued cloud cover with some clearing possible and a chance for a few scattered flurries. Temperatures will range from the single digits into the upper teens & lower 20s through Thursday. After skies clear out, temperatures will warm into a range slightly above average (BIS avg 3/23).

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday
Skies will remain cloudy with temperatures falling through the teens and into the single digits. Winds will be light & variable and it will feel 5-10 degrees below actual temps at times. Some fog will develop and become patchy through the area. Tomorrow, conditions will be similar to what we saw today. Skies will remain mostly cloudy with some clearing possible and light, scattered snow. Temps will climb through the teens and top out in the upper teens & lower 20s.

 7day planner
Expect continued cloudy skies with daytime highs in the upper teens & lower 20s and lows in the single digits. By New Years Eve (Thursday & Thursday Night) a weak front will move through our area, yielding little to no chance for snow. In the wake of Thursday's front, expect clearing skies followed by a ridge of high pressure moving over the Dakotas. This ridging, coupled with plenty of sunshine will lead to a warming trend. By the end of the week (and through the weekend) temperatures will warm into the mid to upper 20s. By the end of the weekend and beginning of the (next) work week, we will see in & out clouds. 

TONIGHT...Cloudy skies with some light snow scattered across parts of North Dakota. Lows 5-12. Light wind, swinging around to the North & becoming calm. Chills on either side of zero. 20% chance for light snow.


WEDNESDAY... Mostly cloudy skies with some clearing and possible flurries. Highs 15-21. NW wind 2-12mph. Chills in the teens & single digits.


WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Gradually clearing skies. Lows 2-8. Light to moderate wind out of the West/NW. Chills below zero and in the negative teens.


THURSDAY...Clearing skies becoming partly cloudy to mostly sunny & seasonable. Highs 17-23. NW wind 5-15mph. Chills in the teens & single digits.


NEW YEARS EVE (Thursday Night)...Fair to partly cloudy skies. Lows 6-12. Moderate wind out of the NW. Chills below zero & in the negative teens.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Monday's Weather Blog

8:00pm


Overview

A low pressure system is over the upper- Mississippi River valley and continuing to move North & NE. A broad ridge of high pressure is stretched across the Southern Plains and is building in the wake of a front as it passes through the MS river valley.

Discussion
As a strong low moves North & NE through the upper- Midwest and into the Great Lakes Region. The western edge of snow (associated with this low) will move across the Dakotas from the South to the North. Snow chances will begin to rise tonight, before sunrise. There will be a chance for scattered snow through our state until Wednesday morning as a low moves North, well to our East. This snow event will produce light, scattered snow showers. Event totals will be low and much of our area will see little to no additional accumulation. Parts of western, ND that do see some accumulation will receive less than 2" of new snow. Like this past Saturday, hit & miss snow showers will remain scattered with mostly cloudy to overcast skies through the day and Tuesday night. For the most part this light snow will yield a trace to 1" for much of the affected area. Model guidance continues to bounce back and forth with where the axis of accumulating snow will be. As of right now, this will not be a very significant event. In the wake of this next snow, cloudy skies will persist through Tuesday & Wednesday before another weak front clears the air. 

(NAM) Keeps Snowfall Axis in Western, ND

(RPM) Lower Accumulations in Central, ND

Through the rest of tonight & Tuesday
Expect continued increasing clouds with a chance for isolated snow through most of tonight. Temperatures will fall through the single digits and just below zero for parts of the area. A light to moderate wind will begin to calm, resulting in wind chills below zero (dipping into the negative teens for some) before winds become light & variable.  Tuesday (before sunrise) the chance for scattered snow will begin to rise (from the south to the north of our state). Under heavy cloud cover, temperatures will not warm very much at all. Daytime highs will top our in the upper teens & lower 20s. Scattered, hit & miss snow showers will move through the area during the day and into Tuesday night resulting in less than 2" of new snow across the area. 

 7day planner
Scattered, light snow showers/flurries will bring little to no accumulation to much of the state. Cold temperatures and cloudy skies will remain in place through the mid-week. By New Years Eve (Thursday & Thursday Night) a weak front will move through our area, yielding little to no chance for snow. In the wake of Thursday's front, expect clearing skies followed by a ridge of high pressure moving over the Dakotas. This ridging, coupled with plenty of sunshine will lead to a warming trend. By the end of the week (and through the weekend) temperatures will climb through the seasonable average (BIS avg. 3/23) with a sun/cloud mix.

TONIGHT...Expect continued increasing clouds with seasonable conditions and some light, isolated snow. Lows in the single digits. East wind 2-10mph. Chills below zero. 20% chance for snow.



TUESDAY...Cloudy skies followed by rising snow chances, leading to hit & miss snow showers. Highs 16-22. East/North wind 2-12mph. Chills in the single digits. 40% chance for scattered snow.


TUESDAY NIGHT...Cloudy skies with continuing scattered snow before Midnight. Lows 5-12. Light NE/NW wind becoming calm. Chills on either side of zero. 30% chance for snow.


WEDNESDAY... Mostly cloudy skies with tapering snow chances followed by some clearing. Highs in the teens. NW wind 5-15mph. Chills in the single digits.


WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Gradually clearing skies and cooling temps. Lows 0-7. Light to moderate wind out of the NW. Chills below zero and in the negative teens.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Christmas Day Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview
A low pressure system over the NE U.S. has a cold front stretched SW through the SE U.S. A Canadian cold front is stretched into the Northern Plains and across the Dakotas. A secondary low is over the Central Plains and continues to develop as it moves NE.

Discussion
A cold front that is stretched to the SW through the Northern Plains will continue to move Southeast. This front is bringing much cooler temps and heavy cloud cover, but no precip. A low pressure system over the Central Plains that is moving NE will interact with our passing cold front, over the Dakotas. The low will then ride our front and continue to move NE/ENE. This will bring a chance for snow through the Dakotas. As of 8:00pm, skies were cloudy and the Northern half of our state had temps near/ below zero. The southern & eastern parts of our state are significantly warmer (teens & 20s). The closest snow was along the southern fringe of North Dakota as our approaching low continued to move through the Central & Northern Plains. The mass of snow associated with this low will continue to move ENE until it begins interacting with our passing Canadian cold front. After Midnight the general motion of snow become ENE. Snow chances will be scattered before 1am, start to rise (south of I-94) through the early morning hours and begin to taper off (from west to east) before Noon. This will be a light snow event with accumulation totals ranging from 0"-3" for some of our viewing area. Most of the snow that we do see will be across the southern half of North Dakota. North of a line from Sidney through Garrison and to Devils Lake/Grand Forks will see little to no accumulation. From this same line to along and just south of the I-94 corridor, expect from a trace up to 2" possible. Well south of I-94, 2"-3" + is possible with higher accumulations for some especially as you look further into South Dakota.  

All of this being said, If the passing cold front speeds up or stalls out, event totals could vary (up or down) in either direction.
In the wake of this event, expect gradually clearing skies with temperatures plummeting into an unseasonably cold rang through the weekend. and into the beginning of the work week with more sunshine.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday
Expect a chance for light snow accumulations across the southern half of our viewing area with cloudy skies. Temperatures will fall to either side of zero with a moderate wind that will swing around to the North and become variable. Temps coupled with winds will lead to chills well below zero and into the negative teens. Northern portions of our state will see chills that could approach -35. Forecast conditions have prompted a Wind Chill Advisory for the NW corner of ND. 
After a cold start, snow chances will begin to taper off during the later half of our morning. It will feel like it is getting cooler through the day as winds pick up and a much colder air mass keeps temps from climbing much at all. After sunset, temps will fall below zero. This will be the coolest air-mass that we have seen (going into this winter) so far.

 7day planner
A low pressure system and cold front will move through our area tonight & Saturday with a chance for snow. In the wake of this front temps will fall well below the seasonable norm (BIS avg. 4/24) through the weekend. Lows will be below zero with highs in the teens. The beginning of our work week will bring gradually warming temps and the approach of our next front (Tuesday/Wednesday) This could be our next chance for more snow, after tonight.

TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with continued increasing cover and snow chances on the rise (Southern half of ND). Lows will fall to either side of Zero. NE/North wind 8-16mph. Chills below zero and in the negative teens. 50% chance for scattered snow.

SATURDAY...Tapering snow chances followed by decreasing clouds and falling temperatures. Highs 7-13. North/NW 5-15mph. Chills around or below zero. 

SATURDAY NIGHT...Expect continued clearing revealing to fair to partly cloudy skies with in & out clouds and cold temps. Lows -7 to 1. West/NW 2-10mph. Chills below zero & in the negative teens.

SUNDAY...Partly cloudy skies with more clearing for some and chilly temps. Highs 10-16. Winds swinging around to the SE 2-12mph. Chills near/below zero.

SUNDAY NIGHT...Fair to partly cloudy skies and cold. Lows -5 to 1. Light to moderate wind out of the SE. Chills in the -teens & -20s.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Christmas Eve Weather Blog

8:30pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the NE U.S. with a cold front stretched South along the Atlantic coastline and West through the SE U.S. A secondary low is continuing to move inland (East) from the Pacific Ocean over North California. A third low over southern Canada with a cold front stretched into Montana is moving East & SE toward the Dakotas. 

Discussion
A cold front associated with a low pressure system to our NW will continue to impact our weather headlines and be the next game-changer.

"Game-changer" is a relative term. For most of Western, ND the biggest change that we will see is going to be even cooler temps through the weekend and some light snow accumulations by Saturday Evening.

Through the rest of this Christmas Eve (Thursday Evening) expect some clearing with winds shifting around to the North & NE as a weak front moves into our state. This front coupled with a developing low pressure system (over Northern California) will create an environment that supports a more active weather pattern as we go into the weekend. The approaching low & cold front will begin to slow down as it moves through the Northern Plains Friday (Christmas Day). Meanwhile, a low pressure system over the Mid Pacific Coastline will move across the Rocky Mountains. This West- Coast low will redevelop on the lee side of the Rockies, over the Central Plains. Friday Night into Saturday morning, these two features (our Canadian cold front & West- Coast low pressure system) will meet over the Central & Northern Plains. The West- Coast low will then ride our Canadian front to the East & NE. This combination of two systems will move through the Northern Plains, toward the upper-Midwest. Snow chances will be on the rise as soon as Friday Afternoon. Most of the activity and heaviest snow accumulations will be well to our South & SE. By the end of this event, most of Western, ND will be looking at little to no snow accumulation. South of I-94 has a chance for some accumulation. At this point we are looking at less than 1" of new snow. So, needless to say, this event will produce a light snow and (at this point) does not look like it will produce significant snowfall for most of our area.

The only part of the forecast that really concerns me is the timing. This event will take place Friday night through Saturday Afternoon. My concern stems from thinking about those who are traveling home, after Christmas. Use caution if needed. Roadways may become hazardous during this event. Otherwise, our forecast includes temps continuing to fall in the wake of this front. By Saturday & Sunday morning, overnight lows will be below zero. The extended planner does have another system moving through the area by Tuesday/Wednesday with its own chances for snow and temps back to normal by the end of the 7day planner. Due to the inconsistency of recent model runs, my confidence with the mid-week front (near the end of our 7day planner) is not very high. 

Through the rest of tonight & Friday
Cloudy skies will continue for the most part with some light snow possible. The SW corner of North Dakota was experiencing some gradual clearing at 8pm. This trend is expected to continue, for parts of our area. That being said, a few of the short-range models are indicating some developing fog, tonight. If this verifies, freezing fog is possible along with more patchy ice on the roadways. Temps will fall through the teens and settle on either side of 10 degrees by Christmas Morning (Friday AM). Winds will become light & variable, swinging around to the NE as a front moves into the state. Christmas day will start off with cold temps and a lot of clouds. Expect some clearing followed by increasing clouds and rising snow chances, late.

 7day planner
A low pressure system and cold front will move through our area Friday Night with a chance for snow. In the wake of this front temps will fall well below the seasonable norm (BIS avg. 4/24) through the weekend. Lows will be below zero with highs in the teens. The beginning of our work week will bring gradually warming temps and the approach of our next front (Tuesday/Wednesday) This could be our next chance for more snow.

CHRISTMAS EVE (Tonight)...Mostly to partly cloudy skies and cold with some developing fog. and a few isolated, light snow showers. Lows 5-12. South wind 2-10mph becoming light. Chills near/below zero. 

CHRISTMAS DAY (Friday)...Mostly to partly cloudy skies with gradually increasing cover and chilly temps. Highs 15-22. NE/North wind 2-12mph. Chills in the teens & single digits. 

FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with continued increasing cover and a chance for scattered snow (South). Lows on either side of Zero. Chills below zero and in the negative teens. 30% chance for scattered snow.

SATURDAY...Tapering snow chances followed by decreasing clouds and falling temperatures. Highs 8-18. North/West 2-12mph. Chills below zero and in the negative teens. 

SATURDAY NIGHT...Fair to partly cloudy skies with in & out clouds and cold temps. Lows -7 to 3. Light winds out of the West & SW. Chills 5-10 degrees below the temp.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Wednesday's Weather Blog

8:45pm

Overview
There is a low pressure system over the upper- Midwest with a cold front stretched south, through the Ohio & Mississippi River valleys. In advance of this front, developing thunderstorms have been (and will continue) prompting a series of Watches & Warnings including (but not limited to) suspected tornadic super-cells. Elsewhere a weak piece of energy is moving out of the Northern Plains and dissipating as it moves toward the Great Lakes Region. A 3rd low is developing over Colorado and a 4th low is moving over Northern California from the Pacific Ocean. 

Discussion
As a weak piece of energy continues to move East and into the upper- Midwest, we will gradually see its effects diminish. The next couple of days will bring a mixture of sunshine & cloud cover with a light to moderate wind that will be variable, day by day. The next significant feature that will change our weather pattern will be a cold front Friday night through Saturday.
A low pressure system that is moving inland over the Pacific coastline will continue moving East & redevelop on the lee side of the Rockies (early Friday morning), over Wyoming. This system will then move ENE through the Northern Plains (Christmas Day) and into the Midwest by Saturday afternoon. The Dakotas will see higher snow chances as this system moves through the Plains (Friday afternoon through Friday Night). Friday afternoon, snow chances will start to rise (West to East) as this low moves into South Dakota. Snow chances will begin to taper off after Noon, Saturday.

Snowfall Accumulation Forecast

In-house model (RPM 4km -> 12km) through Saturday Evening

As of Wednesday evening, this next event will mostly impact the southern half of our state. Highest accumulations will be in SE North Dakota and most of our viewing area will see below 2" of new snow. Some model runs are bringing snowfall accumulations as high as 3"-4" for areas South of I-94 in ND. The in-house model (RPM 4km & 12km) models are the ones really bringing totals higher. Keep in mind, these higher numbers are outliers, but some of the long range models were pointing to higher numbers like these a few days ago. As of right now, I will keep numbers below 2" for most of our area with higher accumulations south of I-94 and highest accumulations in Southeast, ND. Lower accumulations are expected further North of the Interstate. All in told, at this point, it looks like this next system will be more of a nuisance snow and shovelable for some.

Through the rest of tonight & Thursday
Overnight, expect continued cloudy skies with some clearing and the chance for isolated flurries tapering off. Temps will fall into the teens with a light to moderate wind swinging around to the West. Chills will be in the single digits and below zero, for some. Through the morning, expect in & out heavy cloud cover with some clearing. Tomorrow, gradually clearing skies will continue with temps not going very far, topping out in a seasonable range with chills in the teens. 

 7day planner
Expect in & out clouds through Thursday, followed by increasing clouds starting Thursday night and early Friday. Our next system will move West to East, just south of our area. This means that there will be a chance for snow Friday night and Saturday. In the wake of this 2nd system, temps will fall into a seasonable range and into the negative single digits by Sunday morning. A third chance for snow is on the 7day planner after the weekend wraps up. 

TONIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with gradual clearing and temps becoming cold. Lows 6-13. NW/West wind 2-10mph. Chills in the single digits & below zero. 

THURSDAY...Continued clearing skies, revealing more sunshine with winds becoming variable. Highs 18-25. West/South wind 2-12mph. Chills in the teens. 

CHRISTMAS EVE (Thursday Night)... Partly cloudy skies and cold. Lows 5-11. South wind 1-8mph. Chills below zero. Great flying weather for Santa as he makes his final approach to Western, ND.

CHRISTMAS DAY (Friday)... Partly to mostly cloudy skies with increasing cover and chilly temps. Highs 16-22. South/North wind 2-10mph. Chills in the teens & single digits. 

FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with continued increasing cover and rising snow chances. Lows in the single digits. Chills below zero. 40% chance for scattered snow.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Tuesday's Weather Blog

7:20pm

Overview
There is a low pressure system over the Dakotas and it is moving East toward the upper- Midwest & Great Lakes Region. A secondary low pressure system is developing over the Central Plains. 

Discussion
As our latest snow-maker moves out of the Northern Plains, we will begin to see tapering snow chances(tonight) followed by gradual clearing skies through the later half of our work week. Most of our viewing area saw below 2" of new snow. This was definitely a low impact system. Nevertheless, some road conditions will be hazardous this evening through tonight. Western, ND is mostly green and good to go. Central ND does still have some slush/ice on the roadways and the Eastern third of the state is hazardous in some areas. Most of the hazardous road conditions include Central & Eastern, ND.

Due to moisture wrapping around this low (as it moves out of the Northern Plains) cloudy skies will persist for most of the area (through Wednesday) with a chance for a few light snow showers/flurries. Those who receive any scattered snow can expect between 0.5"-1" of new snow through the next 24 hours. Some parts Western, ND could see even more. Our next chance for significant snow will be late this week, going into the weekend. So, Christmas eve we will see some hit & miss clouds with cold temps. Christmas day, increasing clouds and a chance for scattered PM snow. There is a chance that Fri/Sat's front will affect those who are traveling after Christmas. Otherwise, at this point, this post-Christmas event looks to be a light to moderate snow yielding some accumulations. As the event gets closer, I will be able to nail down some numbers. 

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday
Overnight, expect continued cloudy skies with some clearing and a chance for scattered flurries to linger in the wake of this passing low pressure system. Temps will fall into the teens with a light to moderate wind swinging around to the NW. Chills will be in the single digits with possibly hazardous road conditions for some. Use caution while driving if needed. Clouds will stick around with some clearing possible for most of the day (Wednesday) with a few flurries still possible. Snow chances will taper out of the forecast by tomorrow evening followed by cooling temps. 

 7day planner
In the wake of a passing low, clouds will stick around through the mid-week with a few flurries possible. Expect clearing through Thursday, followed by increasing clouds starting Thursday evening and early Friday. Our next system will move West to East, just south of our area. This means that there will be a chance for snow Friday night and Saturday (if the track of this next system moves North, snow chances and accumulations will increase). In the wake of this 2nd system, temps will fall into even more and into the negative single digits by Sunday morning. A third chance for snow is on the 7day planner after the weekend wraps up.

 

TONIGHT...Cloudy skies with lingering snow chances, followed by some clearing skies. Lows 12-20. West/NW wind 2-12mph. Chills in the single digits. 30% chance for snow.

WEDNESDAY...Cloudy skies and snow chances continuing to fall. Temperatures will begin to drop with gradually clearing skies. Highs 19-27. NW wind 5-15mph. Chills in the teens. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly to partly cloudy skies with continued clearing and temps becoming cold. Lows 6-13. NW/West wind 2-12mph. Chills in the single digits & below zero. 

THURSDAY...Continued clearing skies, revealing more sunshine with winds becoming variable. West/South wind 2-10mph. Chills in the teens. 

CHRISTMAS EVE (Thursday Night)... Partly cloudy skies with light winds out of the South. Lows in the single digits. Chills near zero.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Friday's Weather Blog

9:00pm
Overview

There is a low pressure system that is continuing to move through the NE U.S. with a cold front stretched South along the Atlantic coastline. This front is bringing rain and some snow to affected areas. A short-wave (area of low pressure) is over Montana, moving ENE. This low has a warm front stretched SE, through the Dakotas and a cold front stretched SW, back into the Rockies. A ridge of high pressure is extended over the Central & Southern Plains and most of the SE U.S.  

Discussion
As the sun was setting this evening, we wrapped up our work week with a beautiful sunset, mostly clear skies and only a few clouds. Temperatures remain well below average and will continue to fall well into the overnight hours, for most of us. The exception to this generalization lies to our SW. A warm front is moving toward the Dakotas. This low pressure system is not very strong at all. Nevertheless, it will assist in bringing temperatures into a more seasonable range. This warm front precedes a broad ridge of high pressure associated with a much warmer air-mass. That means that after Midnight, temps will begin to gradually rise. Warm Air Advection (WAA) will trump overnight cooling and this warmer air-mass will begin to move over the Northern Plains. Overnight lows will be close to what they were this morning. However, low temps will not occur around sunrise for most of the area. Once the warm front begins to affect your area, temps will be on the rise and our weekend will bring with it seasonable conditions (BIS avg 5/25). There will be a chance for some light flurries tonight where & when our warm front moves over the area. Snow chances will be in play again on Sunday, as a cold front (associated with this same low pressure system) moves through the area. Temps will not be affected by this mild cold front. However, we will see the change in winds and dew point (briefly). Throughout the 7day, expect 2 more systems to affect the Dakotas. Like the system this weekend, another (weaker) low pressure system will begin to develop and move through our area Early this week. More cloud cover is expected on Mon & Tue, but little to now precip accumulation is in the forecast. Our next chance for significant snowfall may be on the horizon. Some of the long-range models continue to hint at a larger system moving through the Northern Plains during the later half of next week. As of now, model consensus is pointing to Wednesday PM and Friday for more snow. That is definitely something to keep in mind as many people will be traveling during the days leading up to Christmas & after.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday
Overnight, expect continued clearing and some cooling. A warm front approaching from the SW will begin to affect the area and temps will start to rise (from the SW to the NW) after Midnight. There will be a chance for a few isolated flurries as more clouds accompany the approaching warm front. Nevertheless, overnight minimum wind chill values will be well below zero and even into the negative teens for some. Saturday, expect Mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover and temps in the 20s and closer to the seasonable norm. 

 7day planner

Temperatures will climb back into a seasonable range this weekend and into the lower 30s as we start the work week. Through the weekend we will be in the warm sector of a passing low pressure system. We will see a few flurries/mix Saturday & Sunday. However snowfall this system will yield little to no accumulation. A second, weak system will move through the area at the start of next week. This system will also not add much, if any, accumulation to our current snow-pack. Toward the end of the work-week a possible third system could move through the area and may affect traveling plans.

TONIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies and cold with a few passing flurries. Lows -6 to 14. NW/SE wind 2-10mph. Chills in the single digits and below zero.

SATURDAY... Partly to mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover and a few isolated flurries/snow early as a warm front moves through the state. Highs 24-33. South/SE wind 2-12mph.Chills in the single digits & teens.

SATURDAY NIGHT... Mostly cloudy skies and cold with the chance for possible flurries. Lows 10-18. South wind 2-10mph becoming light & variable. Chills in the single digits.

SUNDAY...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with some snow as a cold front moves through the area, followed by clearing skies. Highs 22-29. Winds swinging around to the NW 5-15mph. Chills in the single digits & teens.

SUNDAY NIGHT...Fair to partly cloudy skies. Lows in the single digits and teens. NW wind 2-10mph. Chills below zero.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger

Thursday's Weather Blog

8:00pm

Overview
There is a low pressure system that is continuing to move through the NE U.S. with a cold front stretched South along the Atlantic coastline. This front is bringing rain and some snow to affected areas. A short-wave (area of low pressure) is over the Southern Plains and continuing to move SE, into East Texas and the lower- Mississippi River Valley. A ridge of high pressure is extended over the Dakotas with a weak trough moving through, bringing a few passing flurries through our state.  

Discussion
As a departing short-wave, low pressure system  moves out of the Northern Plains and over the Great Lakes Region, followed by a ridge of high pressure moving across the region. This high will set up an environment that will lead to a relatively quiet start to our weekend. By Sunday, our weather pattern will become more active as a series of low pressure systems develop and move through the region. At this point, high accumulations do not look to be an issue. Nevertheless, there are 3 different systems that will affect the Dakotas throughout our 7day planner. The ridge of high pressure that is set up to our South & SW will move across the plains Friday. Meanwhile, an area of low pressure will begin to develop over the Northern Plains. Saturday a warm front will pass over our area bringing variable winds, warmer temps and a chance for flurries/mix, during the morning hours. Temps will climb well into the upper 20s & lower 30s through the weekend. By Sunday we could see more snow/flurries as a cold front moves through the Dakotas. This cold front will not affect temps much and conditions will be slightly above the seasonable norm (BIS avg. 5/25). According to the latest model runs (our in-house model_RPM), new snowfall accumulations by the beginning of the work could run up to 1"- 2" for parts of the area. With this weaker system not everyone should see that much. I will nail down some numbers tomorrow for this system, Sat & Sun. As of right now, this specific model is an outlier and could be over shooting this event. Nevertheless, there is a chance. Monday night and Tuesday, a secondary (weak) short-wave low pressure system should develop over the Northern Plains. This second system will not yield much, other than some clouds and a few passing flurries. By Wednesday & Thursday, long-range models are hinting at a 3rd low pressure system and front that will develop on the lee side of the Rockies and move over our area. It is way too soon to begin putting numbers to this third system. Nevertheless it could affect some Christmas travel plans. The 2 systems next week are in the extended planner and still could possibly change through the weekend as more model runs pick up on the weather pattern.

Through the rest of tonight & Friday
Overnight expect a few passing flurries with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will fall well into the single digits with a light to moderate wind out of the WNW. Chills will fall below zero and even into the negative teens by tomorrow morning. We will start our Friday off with cold temps continued light to moderate winds and gradually clearing skies. Highs tomorrow will remain seasonably cold with chills in the single digits through the day under a sun/cloud mix.

7day planner
A ridge of high pressure will move through the area to wrap up our work week. This weekend, we will be in the warm sector of a passing low pressure system. We will see a few flurries/mix Saturday & Sunday. However this system will yield little to no accumulation. A second, weak system will move through the area at the start of next week. This secondary system will also not add much, if any, accumulation to our current snow-pack. Toward the end of our 7day planner a possible third system could move through the area and may affect travel plans.   

TONIGHT...Fair to partly cloudy skies and cold with a few passing flurries possible. Lows -2 to 6.  West/NW wind 5-15mph. 20% chance for snow. Chills below zero & in the negative teens.

FRIDAY...Plenty of sunshine with in & out clouds and chilly temps. Highs 12-19. NW/SW wind 5-15mph. 5 to -10

FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies and cold. Lows -2 to 5. SW/South wind 2-10mph. Chills below zero and in the -teens.

SATURDAY... Partly to mostly cloudy skies with continued increasing cover and a few isolated flurries/mix. Highs 24-31. South/SE wind 5-15mph.Chills in the teens.

SATURDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies and cold. Lows 10-18. Light & Variable winds Chills in the single digits.

Website:http://www.kxnet.com/story/16067339/bismarck-weather-radar-forecast-dickinson

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~Chief Meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger