Dakota Storm Center: 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.