Dakota Storm Center: Wednesday's Weather Blog

7:00pm

Overview

There is a weak low pressure system over the Northern Plains (just south of Western, North Dakota). A weak front is stretched west over Montana and into Canada. A secondary low is developing over the Central & Southern plains. An old cold front is stretches South, along the Atlantic Coast & through the SE U.S. This front will become stationary before fizzling out.

Discussion

A weak low pressure system (over South Dakota) is associated with a cold front stretched West & NW through Montana and into Canada. This front will continue to weaken before transitioning into a stationary front and stalling out. This feature was the cause of cloudy skies, cool temps and early (widespread) fog, today. The next 24 hours will be similar to what we saw today. Patchy dense fog will develop across parts of Western, ND tonight with some freezing drizzle & freezing fog possible. Additionally there will be a chance for scattered snow/flurries lasting into Thursday. Areas affected will see less than one inch. During the next couple of days, the biggest headline in weather will include temps warming into a mild range Friday & Saturday.

On the other side of the nation, a low will develop over the Central Plains and move through the SE U.S. producing a risk for severe weather. Friday & Saturday, this low will move up the Atlantic Coastline and bring a lot of snow to affected areas. By Saturday night, snowfall totals around Washington D.C. are forecast at 1-2 feet of new snow. A range from 2-3 feet is possible (model guidance ranges from 20"-40" in D.C. by Saturday night). It is important to note that is this system tracks a little different (east or west) accumulations will be much different

Through the rest of tonight & Thursday

Expect developing fog to become patchy and dense for some. Scattered, light snow/flurries will move into the area and last through the morning hours. Not everyone will see accumulating snow and totals will be less than 1". Temps will be cool and in the teens through most of tonight. We will start tomorrow off with patchy, dense fog that will lift up and burn off through the midday hours. Otherwise, scattered light snow/flurries will move through the area before we start to see some clearing. Temps will climb into the 20s and winds will be out of the NW.

7day planner

Another round of fog is expected and will become dense for some with cool temps and light snow as we go into tomorrow. Warming temps will climb into a mild range by Saturday and there will only be a few chances for light snow on the 7day planner (tonight/Thursday & Sunday night/Monday). Otherwise, the beginning of the work week will bring highs in the 20s and lows in the teens.

TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy skies with developing fog becoming widespread and dense for some. There will be a chance for scattered snow/flurries. Lows in the teens. NE/North wind 2-10mph. Chills in the single digits. 10% chance for snow.
THURSDAY...Early fog before 11am with mostly cloudy skies scattered snow as a weak cold front moves through the area. North/NW wind 2-12mph. Chills in the teens. 40% chance for snow.
THURSDAY NIGHT...Partly to mostly cloudy skies with some clearing and a little cooler. Lows in the single digits. Light winds swinging around to the South. Chills below zero.
FRIDAY...Continued clearing revealing mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and warmer temps. Highs 23-29. south wind 10-20mph & gusty.
FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy skies with in & out clouds. Lows 15-21. South wind 5-15mph. chills in the single digits.