Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

There is a Wind Chill Advisory in effect for Eastern and North Central, ND ( mainly NE of Hwy 52). The area under this Wind Chill Advisory includes Stutsman, Sheridan & Wells counties.

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the Midwest and moving toward the Great Lakes Region. The southern edge of a ridge of high pressure & Arctic air mass is extended into the Dakotas. A cold front that is stretched across the Northern Plains (NE to SW) is stalling out. The southern half of the nation & west coast are currently in an inactive weather pattern.

Discussion

Through this Monday weather headlines included cloudy skies, light snow/flurries & moderate/gusty winds. Across western, ND it started cold and felt chilly/cold through the day. Gusty winds led to blowing snow with patchy ice on the roadways for much of the state.

The cold front to our West (stretched from the NE to the SW across the Northern Plains) will transition to a stationary then warm front during the next 24 hours. Tonight, the Dakotas will still be partially under the influence of high pressure and an Arctic air mass that is moving East and away from our region. Temperatures will fall below zero for much of the state with single digits in the SW corner. A moderate wind will be gusty at times before starting to taper off. Wind chills will range through the negative teens & -20s by tomorrow morning.

This means one more cold night before temps begin to climb, across the state. The Wind Chill Advisory that is in effect for Eastern & North-Central ND will remain in place until (Noon) Tuesday. A warm front will begin to move (SW to NE) across the Dakotas bringing temps up and into a mild range for Western, ND. This warmer air mass will remain over our area (Wed & Thurs) until a late-week front brings a chance for snow followed by our next blast of cold air.

Through the rest of tonight & Tuesday

Expect cloudy skies with a moderate & gusty wind out of the North & NW. There will be in & out clouds tonight, allowing temps to fall even more where clearing continues. Early tomorrow, expect wind speeds to start tapering off, followed by increasing clouds with a chance for scattered flurries. Temps will begin to gradually warm through the day, especially in the SW corner of the state as a Warm front approaches. Chills will remain below zero for most of Central & Northern, ND through the morning and fall below zero again Tuesday night. Any scattered snow tomorrow will not lead to significant accumulations.

7day planner

Tuesday will bring another cold start with mostly cloudy skies and a chance for light snow/flurries. Through Tuesday night & Wednesday, a warm front will begin to move across our area. Wednesday & Thursday, mild temps will be the theme with daytime highs on either side of 30 and overnight lows in the single digits & teens. By the end of the week an approaching cold front will move across the Dakotas and usher in our next blast of cold air (bringing overnight lows into the sub-zero range) again.

TONIGHT...Mostly to partly cloudy skies with gusty winds beginning to calm and wind chills becoming significant as temps fall (coldest in Eastern ND). Lows -8 to 10 (Bis -4. Dik 1). NW wind 10-20mph (calming to 5-15mph) and gusty. Chills 15 to 25 below (Wind Chill Advisory for Eastern, ND).

TUESDAY...Increasing clouds leading to mostly cloudy/overcast skies with a chance for scattered flurries/light snow as a warm front moves toward the Dakotas. Highs in the teens & 20s (Bis 13. Dik 23). NW wind 5-15mph. Chills on either side of zero.

TUESDAY NIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover & warming temps. Lows 1-7. SW/West wind 2-10mph. Chills below zero.

WEDNESDAY... Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with in & out cover and mild temps returning. Highs in the 20s & 30s. West wind 2-12mph. Chills in the single digits & teens.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly to partly cloudy skies and cool. Highs in the teens. Light wind out of the SW. Chills in the single digits.