Dakota Storm Center: Wednesday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system just north of Montana with a warm front stretched East through the Dakotas. A secondary low is over the Great Lakes region and an inactive weather pattern across the southern half of our nation.

Discussion

A warm front stretched across North Dakota has allowed temperatures to climb into a mild range for most of Western, ND. Mild conditions will continue through tonight & early Thursday. There will be a likely chance for scattered snow across the state, tomorrow. Accumulations will be light. Through Western, ND 2" - 4" are possible with even higher accumulations in East of Minot. The southern half of our state can expect less than 2". The forecast buster will be where banding develops. Snow bands will most likely develop with this low pressure system. As with most systems, the locations of such banding is hard to pin-point (in advance). Once the low moves into the state and snow begins, we will have a better idea on where possible banding may occur. Either way, light totals are expected with some of Western, ND receiving shovelable accumulations.

In House Model as of 8:30pm

In the wake of this cold front, temperatures will quickly begin to fall. The chance for scattered snow will become likely during the midday & afternoon. About this same time, a much colder air mass will move into the Dakotas and temps will fall through seasonable values and into the single digits & teens by Friday Night. Friday, temps will continue to fall and by Saturday Morning sub-zero temps are expected across much of the state. Saturday evening through Sunday & Monday morning, frigid conditions are expected with dangerous wind chill values possible.

Through the rest of tonight & Thursday

Expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered flurries/light snow. Temperatures will stay in the 20s through most of Western ND (with a few teens in the NE & Eastern part of our viewing area) as winds become light & variable. We will start Thursday off with continued mild temps and some light snow. Through the late morning & midday hours, a cold front will move into the Dakotas bringing a likely chance for scattered snow & much colder temps in its wake. Snow chances will wrap up Thursday night & temps will continue to fall.

7day planner

A late-week cold front will bring a chance for scattered snow followed by another blast of Arctic air (Thursday & Friday). Scattered flurries & light snow will be followed by rising chances for scattered snow (1"-3" expected). An Arctic air mass will cause falling temperatures Thursday night that will continue through Friday & Saturday Night. Frigid temps will accompany variable winds and produce possibly dangerous Wind Chills by Sunday & Monday mornings. Temperatures will be 30-40 degrees colder than today, this weekend. This cold air mass will affect our forecast through the weekend and beginning of next week, followed by gradually warming temps.

TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover and mild temps. Lows 21-32. South/West wind 2-10mph. Chills in the teens. 20% chance for scattered snow.

THURSDAY...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with a good chance for wintry mix becoming snow. Temperatures will begin to fall as a cold front moves through the state. Highs 17-30. West/North wind 5-15mph G20. 60% chance for snow. Less than 2" of new snow expected.

THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with a chance for scattered snow and temps continuing to fall due to a passing cold front. Lows 5-13. Chills falling to either side of zero.

FRIDAY...Mostly cloudy skies with scattered flurries/light snow and continued falling temperatures. Highs in the teens. Light to moderate winds will become variable and swing around to the NE. Chills in the single digits.

FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with temps falling below zero. Lows 0 to -10. Light North Wind. Chills in the negative teens.