Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

10:30pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the Great Lakes Region that will continue to move East toward the NE U.S. Another low, is over the Pacific NW. This system will bring our next chance for snow.

Discussion

Today we saw spring like conditions with strong winds across the state. Bismarck & Grand Forks saw record breaking highs. Bismarck climbed to 60 degrees. The previous record was 55, set back in 1996. Grand Forks was a little cooler but still broke a record of 42 also set 20 years ago, with a high of 44. Winds were strong through the day and most of our max wind speeds were recorded before sunrise. Peak gusts ranged from 50-60mph across the area.

A low pressure system over the Pacific NW will move East, and redevelop on the lee side of the Rockies. It will move across the Northern Plains, tonight & Saturday. The quick moving clipper will start to affect our area tomorrow morning. Scattered rain/mix/snow will move into the area through the afternoon & evening hours. This low pressure system will continue to bring scattered, light snow through Western ND through Saturday Night & Sunday morning. Most of our area will see less than 1" of new snow with 1-3" possible for some.

In-house Model (4km_RPM) Snowfall Totals

In the wake of this system, temperatures will remain above average for this time of the year, but not as warm as we saw today. The active weather pattern that we have been will calm down with only a couple chances for snow through the next 7 days.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday

We will see partly to mostly cloudy skies with increasing cover as wind speeds continue to taper off, becoming light to moderate and out of the WNW. There may be a few light showers/mix over parts of Western ND in advance of an approaching clipper. Tomorrow temps will climb into the 40s with a chance for mix/snow as a low moves through the area. Light snow accumulations (if any) are possible.

7day planner

Our headlines include calming winds with weekend snow chances and temperatures remaining above average for this time of the year. A quick moving system will roll through the Dakotas Saturday & Saturday night with parts of the area seeing light accumulations. In the wake of this system, we will see more sunshine next week with temps in the 30s & 40s. A few of the long range models are hinting at a couple other snow chances at during the next 7 days.

Tonight, fair to partly cloudy skies with winds beginning to calm and increasing cover. Lows will be on either side of 30 with 5-15mph winds, swinging around to the West.

Saturday, partly to mostly cloudy skies with continued increasing cover and chance for mix/snow in advance of an approaching cold front. Highs 39-47 with winds swinging around to the North 2-12mph.

Saturday night a weak system will move through the Dakotas with a chance for snow/mix and a light to moderate wind out of the NE. Lows will fall into the 20s with chills in the teens.

Sunday, expect mostly cloudy skies with a few flurries and temperatures in the 30s. Winds will be light to moderate, swinging around to the South.

Sunday night, gradually increasing clouds will reveal fair to partly cloudy skies as temps fall through the 20s. Winds will be light to moderate and out of the South, making it feel like it is in the teens.