Dakota Storm Center: Wednesday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

Overview

Cloudy skies and a few flurries/light snow showers are scattered across the Northern Plains. There is a low pressure system north of Montana. This system (along with a front) is associated with an Arctic air mass that is currently over Canada. Elsewhere, the southern half of our nation is in an active weather pattern with a low pressure system over California. A third system is affecting the Southern Plains and lower- Mississippi River valley. A fourth & weaker piece of energy is moving into the Midwest & Ohio River Valley.

Discussion

Across Western, North Dakota headlines included cool temps, cloudy skies and fog, today. Fog will continue through tonight. Otherwise cloudy skies, scattered flurries and temperatures in the teens & 20s will remain in the forecast through the end of the work week. A weak low (associated with a cold front) to our North & NW will move into the Dakotas Friday & Saturday.

This system will bring higher snow chances Thursday night through Friday as this front moves through the Northern Plains. Arctic air (on the back side of our approaching front) is part of the coldest air mass that we have seen this winter. As snow chances begin to wrap up (Friday Night) temps will fall through the single digits, below zero and into the negative double digits for some. Snow chances will taper off on Saturday followed by gradually clearing skies. Temps below zero with moderate winds will lead to Wind Chills falling into the -20s. This cold snap will last through the weekend.

Through the rest of tonight & Thursday

Expect fog to continue this evening and tonight. Not everyone will be affected by this fog. Nevertheless, visibility may be reduced to less than a quarter mile in parts of the state. More clouds will move into the and a few snow showers will remain scattered as a light to moderate wind swings around to the NE. Chills tonight will fall into the single digits.
Tomorrow, expect cloudy skies with scattered flurries that will become light snow through the evening. Daytime high temps will climb into the 20s with chills in the teens.

7day planner

Through the next several days, mild conditions will continue with temps in the teens & 20s through the later half of the work week. By Thursday night & Friday expect cloudy skies, slightly cooler temps and a chance for snow across the Dakotas. Snow chances will are expected from Thursday Night through Friday Night. New snowfall totals will range from 1"-2"for most of the area. In the wake of this front, temperatures will fall below average with lows well below zero, chills dipping into the -20s & -30s (Saturday & Sunday Mornings) and daytime high temps in the single digits through the weekend. By the beginning of the work week, temps will gradually climb back into a more seasonable range.

TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy to overcast skies with a few isolated flurries. Lows 14-21. NE wind 2-10mph. Chills in the single digits.

THURSDAY...Cloudy skies with some sun at times and scattered flurries becoming light snow through the evening. Highs 20-27. NE/North wind 2-12mph. Chills in the teens. 30% chance for flurries/snow.

THURSDAY NIGHT... Cloudy skies with rising snow chances. Lows in the teens. North wind 2-12mph. chills in the single digits & teens. 40% chance for snow. < 1" of new snow expected.

FRIDAY...Cloudy skies with scattered snow showers continuing. Highs 15-22. North wind 5-15mph. Chills in the single digits & teens. 50% chance for snow. < 1" of new snow.

FRIDAY NIGHT...Cloudy skies with snow chances beginning to taper off. Temperatures will fall below zero. Moderate NW wind becoming breezy. Chills in negative teens & negative 20s.