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.
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.
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.
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.
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