Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

10:00pm

Currently there is a High Wind Warning in effect for West, ND from Noon Saturday until 9pm Sunday (CST) with NW winds becoming strong and possibly gusting up to 65mph for the following counties:
Stark, Williams, McKenzie, Dunn, Billings, Golden Valley, Slope, Hettinger, Bowman, Adams & Divide.

There is a High Wind Watch in effect for Central, ND from Noon Saturday through Sunday Evening. NW winds sustained at 40mph gusting up to 65mph are possible for the following counties:

Burleigh, Morton, Ward, Sioux, Grant, Morton, Oliver, Mercer, McLean, Emmons, McIntosh, Logan, Kidder, Stutsman, Sheridan, McHenry, Renville, Burke, Mountrail.

A Blizzard Watch is in effect Late Saturday night through late Sunday night across much of Eastern, ND and parts of North Central, ND. Expect snow totals from 1-3" and 5+ possible for some. Strong winds with gusts up to 65mph are possible and could cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow, creating hazardous travel conditions. Affected counties include:

Wells, LaMoure, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Benson, Pierce, Towner, Rolette, Bottineau and the rest of Eastern, ND.

Overview

There is a pair of weak low pressure systems over the Midwest & Great Lakes region that will continue to fizzle out as they slowly move North & East. There is a developing low over the Southern Plains and a broad ridge of high pressure over the SE U.S. There is a second ridge of high pressure over the Rockies & Central Plains.

Discussion

A series of watches & warnings is in place across North Dakota from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. High winds are expected starting after Noon on Saturday with a chance for snow. Eastern, ND will see light to moderate snow accumulations with comparable high winds to Western & Central ND. Where snow is falling blizzard conditions will be possible. A current blizzard watch highlights the area with the highest chance for blowing and drifting snow. Visibility may be reduced to less than 1/4 mile and even whiteout conditions, Saturday night through Sunday night. Only a few of our counties in Eastern, ND are in this hashed out area. Before this potentially inclement weather moves through the Dakotas, we will see considerable warming tomorrow. It will feel mild across the area with temps climbing through the 40s and into the 50s for some. Winds will begin to pick up during the midday & afternoon hours on Saturday and high winds will continue through the weekend. As a cold front moves through the area, temps will begin to fall and rain chances will become snow chances, Saturday night through Sunday. Most of Western ND will only see up to 1" of new snow.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday

Expect fair to partly cloudy skies with mild temps and a light to moderate wind out of the West & SW. Tomorrow will bring increasing clouds with a chance for scattered showers followed by in & out cover as winds begin to pick up during the afternoon. There will be increasing clouds and rising snow chances, late.

7day planner

This weekend we are expecting an active weather pattern with strong winds and snow chances as a cold front moves through the Dakotas. The chance for snow will taper off with gradually calming winds as we wrap up the weekend. The beginning of our work week will bring with it more sunshine & slightly cooler temps. By Tuesday, a warm front will move through the area leading to another round of mild conditions through the mid week.

Tonight, expect fair to partly cloudy skies and a cool feel. Lows 18-25. West/SW wind 2-12mph.

Saturday, expect increasing clouds and a chance for rain becoming a wintry mix as temps fall throught the evening. Highs 43-53. SW/West wind increasing to 15-25mph G35-40. 30% chance for rain/mix.

Saturday night, mostly cloudy skies & breezy with a chance for wintry mix becoming snow as a front moves through the area. Lows 27-33. West/NW wind 25-35mph G40-50. 30 % chance for scattered mix/snow.

Sunday, mostly cloudy to overcast skies with scattered snow chances tapering off, falling temps and strong winds. Highs 33-40. NW wind 30-40mph G50-60. 30% chance for snow.

Sunday night, mostly cloudy skies with gradually clearing skies and wind speeds remaining moderate to strong and gusty. Lows 19-25. Strong to moderate NW wind.