Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog

10:30pm

Overview

There is a weak low pressure system just north of the upper- Midwest & NE North Dakota. A secondary low is over the SE U.S. with showers & thunderstorms continuing to move East. A third low over Texas continues to develop and will become strong, causing severe weather to affected areas.

Discussion
Across the state today, temperatures were well above average and climbed into a mild range (avg 30/11). The warm spot on the map was Minot, topping out at 50. Elsewhere, highs were in the 30s & 40s across North Dakota. Though our temps were this high, no records were broken.

Over the NE corner of our state a low pressure system will remain weak as it continues to affect Eastern, ND. This system will continue to move East and away from our area. This means that there will be some clearing tonight. This same low has a surface trough that extends south through Central, ND. Along and East of this feature, there is scattered light mix/snow. As temperatures continue to fall through the 30s and into the 20s, mix will transition to snow. However, significant accumulation is not expected tonight. West of this same surface trough, winds are moderate and gusty. As this system continues to move East, winds across the state will gradually swing around to the West & NW and become breezy. Through the day tomorrow winds will remain breezy and swing around to the NW. Tuesday night through Wednesday morning there will be a chance for scattered light snow as another weak piece of energy moves through the state. Much like tonight, snow will be hit & miss and significant accumulation is not expected for most of the area. The only difference is that snow chances will be more widespread and accumulations are possible. Nevertheless, less than an inch of new snow is expected through most of Western, ND during the next 48 hours.

In House Model (4km_RPM) Showing Light Snow Wednesday Morning.

Through the mid week, temperatures will top out in the 30s followed by a weak warm front on Friday, briefly bringing highs well into the 40s again. This weekend, more clouds and a cold front will move into play and temperatures will only climb into the 30s again. By Sunday and Monday temps will be closer to where they should be for this time of the year. Over all, expect a relatively quiet weather pattern through most of the work week.

Through the rest of tonight & Tuesday

We will see in & out clouds with a chance for a scattered light mix and a few flurries. Winds will continue to increase from West to East, becoming moderate and a little gusty at times as they swing around to the West & NW. Temperatures will settle in the 20s, feeling like it is in the teens. Through Tuesday we will see some clearing with skies becoming partly cloudy for much of the area. Winds will remain moderate to strong and gusty at times. Clouds will roll back into the area late, in advance of another weak system that will bring scattered light snow.

7day planner

Our short term headlines include slightly cooler temps that will still remain above average for this time of the year, winds becoming breezy through tomorrow & Wednesday and our next chance for light snow will be Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Otherwise, during the next 7days, daytime highs will top out in the 30s & 40s and our next front is not until the weekend. This system will bring a chance for snow and long range models are pointing to a light to moderate accumulation. In the wake our weekend front, temps fall into a more seasonable range.

Tonight, expect partly to mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover and increasing wind speeds. There will be a few scattered flurries/mix passing through our area. Lows will be in the 20s with light winds becoming NW 5-15mph and chills in the teens.

Tuesday, mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover and a few flurries possible. Highs 36-43 and NW winds 10-20mph G27.

Tuesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with increasing cover and a chance for snow after Midnight. Lows in the 20s with a North becoming West wind 2-12mph and chills in the teens.

Wednesday, we will see mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance for light snow/mix and winds becoming strong. Highs 35-42 and NW winds 15-25mph G35 with chills in the 20s.

Wednesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with gradual clearing and still a little breezy. Lows on either side of 20 and NW winds 10-20mph with chills in the teens.