Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

Overview

There is a broad ridge of high pressure over the Eastern half of the nation that stretches west over the Mississippi River valley. There is a low pressure system over Canada and North of Montana. A warm front is stretched South, through the Dakotas and into the Central & Southern plains. A second low (that is continuing to develop) is located over Colorado & the pan-handle of Texas.

Discussion
Through the day we started off with cold temps (Bis -19, Dik -14) followed by some warming as a band of snow (that eventually stretched North to South across the state) continued to develop along a warm front. This warm front (along with the associated scattered snow) will continue to move into the Dakotas and across our state, tonight & Tuesday. By tomorrow most affected areas will see new accumulations of 1-inch or less (Central/Eastern, ND). Some of the area will see 1" - 2" of new snow (Western/Central, ND). Nevertheless, light snowfall accumulations are expected from this warm front. The focus of our short term forecast will revolve around temperatures.

After lows in the single digits, quick warming tomorrow will bring temps through the teens and into the 20s by the afternoon. The SW corner of our viewing area will record the warmest temps as some approach the lower to mid 30s. The Eastern half of the state will still record cool temps topping out in the double digits, through the teens (avg 23/2).

Through the rest of tonight & Monday

Tonight lows will be in the single digits for most of the area. Some of the area will also see temps below zero (Eastern, ND) and some in the teens (West) as warmer air moves into the area with a warm front. Expect warming temps through the overnight hours with continued scattered snow with a light to moderate wind out of the SE. Chills will be below zero and into the negative teens for most. Early tomorrow, snow chances will end through the later half of the morning followed by some clearing and temps climbing into a more seasonable range. Expect some sun shining through the clouds at times as winds remain light to moderate.

7day planner

During the next 24 hours the primary headlines in weather will include another round of Wind Chills below zero (tonight) and in the negative teens for most of the area, lightly accumulating snow (west to east) and warming temps through the next couple of days. A weak cold front will bring a chance for snow Wed/Thurs with short-lived, chilly temps Thursday. By Friday & Saturday, continued warming will bring temps into a mild range with highs well upper 20s & even into the 30s for some. Snow chances will work their way into the forecast a couple times (with light accumulations) through the 7day.

TONIGHT...Cloudy skies with scattered snow resulting in light accumulations. Temps will be on the rise, overnight (6am temps in the teens). Lows 2-15 (Dik 10, Bis 4). SE wind 5-15mph. Chills below zero & in the negative teens. 70% chance for snow. Up to 1" of new snow.

TUESDAY...Early snow chances ending with mostly cloudy skies and warming temps. Highs 17-27. SE/South wind 2-12mph. Chills in the teens. 30% chance for snow.

TUESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies and chilly. Lows 8-15. South wind 1-8mph becoming light & variable. Chills on either side of zero.

WEDNESDAY...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with increasing clouds and scattered flurries, late. Highs 22-34. South/North wind 2-12mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with a chance for scattered snow/flurries. Lows 6-12. Chills below zero.