Dakota Storm Center: Thursday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

Overview

The southern half of our nation remains in an active weather pattern. There is a low pressure system over the Central Plains & upper- Mississippi River valley. This low will continue to move NE toward the Great Lakes region. A secondary low is over the SW U.S. approaching the 4-corners region. Otherwise, there is a weak trough (associated with a cold front) stretching from the Northern Plains, into Canada.

Discussion

Across Western, North Dakota headlines included cool temps, cloudy skies and fog, today. Fog will continue through tonight, after redeveloping. Otherwise cloudy skies, scattered snow and temperatures in the teens & 20s will remain in the forecast through tomorrow morning. A weak trough (associated with a cold front) to our North & NW will continue to move into the Dakotas Tonight & Saturday. This system will not pack much of a punch when it comes to precip. Tonight expect patchy dense fog with the potential for freezing fog/drizzle. Little to no accumulation is expected for most of us. However some additional ice accumulation is possible. Tonight & tomorrow, scattered snow is expected to move through the Dakotas. This snow is associated with the approaching trough/cold front. Snow chances will last through Friday Night, before tapering off early Saturday. Most of Western, North Dakota will receive less than 1" of new snow. Isolated parts of our area may see 1" - 2"+ of new snow. Nevertheless, this feature will bring a light snow to much of the state.

The main focus with this system is on temperatures. Daytime highs on Friday will occur during the morning hours. Through the midday & afternoon temps will fall as an Arctic air mass begins to move over the Dakotas. Temps will fall into the single digits through tomorrow afternoon and below zero, Friday Night. A light to moderate NW wind will make it feel like the -teens & -20s by Saturday Morning. Sunday morning will bring temps in the -teens and chills ranging from 20 to 30 below. The beginning of next week will bring another cold air mass with strong winds. By the end of our 7day temps will be on the rise with a sun/cloud mix.

Through the rest of tonight & Friday

Expect cloudy skies with developing fog. Patchy fog will become dense in some areas with the risk of freezing fog/drizzle. Little to no accumulation is expected. Nevertheless, if traveling use caution on the roadway as some ice is possible. As this trough & cold front move into the area, snow chances will be on the rise. Scattered snow is expected to last across the area through Friday. A light snow is expected across most of the state. Temps will climb into the upper teens and near 20 by Friday morning before colder air moves into the area and temps begin dropping.

7day planner

Tonight & Tomorrow scattered snow/mix is expected as a cold front moves into the area. In the wake of this front, expect clearing skies and falling temps. Saturday & Sunday wind chills will bottom out well below zero (-20 to -30). The NWS may be prompted to issue a Wind Chill Advisory for our area. Monday & Tuesday another cold air mass will start to move over the Dakotas with in & out clouds. The end of our 7day planner shows temps climbing back into a range near average for this time of the year.

TONIGHT...Cloudy skies with rising chances for freezing fog/drizzle becoming snow. Lows 11-17. North/NW wind 2-12mph. Chills in the single digits & teens. 30% chance for mix/snow. < 1" of new snow expected.

FRIDAY...Cloudy skies with scattered snow showers continuing. Temperatures will fall after Noon. Highs 14-22. North wind 5-15mph G22. Chills in the single digits & teens before falling. 40% chance for snow. < 1" of new snow.

FRIDAY NIGHT...Cloudy skies with snow chances beginning to taper off. Temperatures will fall below zero. Lows -1 to -10. NW wind 5-15mph. Chills in negative teens & -20s.

SATURDAY...Gradually clearing skies revealing more sunshine. Temps will continue to fall through the day. Highs on either side of zero. NW wind 5-15mph. Chills in the negative teens & -20s.

SATURDAY NIGHT...Fair to partly cloudy skies and cold. Lows well below zero. Light NW wind. Chills -20s to -30s.