Dakota Storm Center: Tuesday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the Great Lakes region that is moving toward New England and the Atlantic coastline. A ridge of high pressure & Arctic air mass over the upper- Mississippi River valley will continue to move East and away from the Dakotas The western edge of this Arctic air mass is extended into the Dakotas. A developing low & warm front is stretched (NW/SE) across the Northern Plains.

Discussion

After starting the day with cloudy skies, scattered snow & chilly air across half of the state, there was a sun/cloud mix through the afternoon. A developing low & warm front to our West & SW will continue to move north, through the Dakotas tonight & Wednesday. Overnight lows will occur this evening as overnight cooling gives way to WAA (Warm Air Advection). Temps across Western, ND will range through the teens. In Central ND temps will fall into the single digits & on either side of 10. The eastern third of our state will be cold with lows around and below zero. Through the overnight and early morning hours, a warmer air mass will move further into the Dakotas bringing daytime highs well above the seasonable norm (avg. 23/2).

By tomorrow afternoon, temperatures across Western, ND will climb to near and above the freezing mark. Unseasonably warm temps, periods of scattered snow/mix and variable winds will become the theme until the approach of our next cold front. After this brief warm up, a late week cold front will bring another blast of Arctic air into the Dakotas. Temperatures will fall well below average through the weekend and into the beginning of the work week. Snow chances through this week will be hit & miss with model guidance pointing to no significant accumulation (greater than 1") until this late week front moves into the Dakotas.

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday

Expect in & out clouds with an approaching front bringing warmer air into the Dakotas. Overnight lows will occur around & before midnight. Temps will warm into the teens through the morning hours with a chance for scattered flurries/snow. Tomorrow, continued warming will bring mild & unseasonably warm temps across the Dakotas with a chance for some scattered precip through the later half of the day.

7day planner

In the wake of a warm front, expect two mild days with unseasonably warm temps ranging from the 20s through the 30s before our next Arctic plunge. Light snow is possible (late) Wednesday. A late-week cold front will bring a chance for scattered snow (Thursday & Friday) followed by another blast of Arctic air. Temperatures will be 30-40 degrees colder than tomorrow, by the weekend. This cold air mass will affect our forecast through the weekend and beginning of next week.

TONIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover & warming temps. Lows -1 to 17 (bis 8, dik 15). SW/West wind 2-10mph. Chills below zero. 10% chance for scattered snow.
WEDNESDAY... Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with increasing clouds and mild temps. Highs 27-42 (bis 32, dik 35). West wind 5-15mph. Chills in the single digits & teens, early. 20% chance for scattered snow.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly to partly cloudy skies and cool. Highs in the teens. SW wind 2-12mph becoming variable. Chills in the single digits & teens.
THURSDAY...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with a chance for scattered snow/wintry mix as a cold front begins to move toward the Dakotas. Highs 26-33. West/North wind 5-15mph G20. 30% chance for snow/mix.
THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with a chance for scattered snow and temps beginning to fall as a cold front moves into the area. Lows in the teens & single digits. Chills below zero.