Dakota Storm Center: Thursday's Weather Blog

11:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system that is developing over the Northern Plains with a stationary front stretched East & SE toward the MS River Valley. A cold front is stretched to the SW, over the Rockies. A broad ridge of high pressure is over the southern half of our nation. A second high is affecting the East Coast.

Discussion

Through the day we have seen unseasonably warm temperatures that have continued to further melt more of our snow pack. This melting coupled with the approach of a weak clipper system led to a lot of moisture in our air. Fog continues to develop across much of Western & Central, ND. A dense fog advisory is in effect until Midnight (Friday morning).

To our west, a low pressure system is continuing to move through the Northern Plains (West to East). This system is bringing with it cloudy skies, scattered rain/mix and the potential for a isolated thunderstorms. If any thunderstorms do develop, they will not become severe or particularly violent. This system will cross the Dakotas tonight and will clear out the lingering fog.

In the wake of this clipper, expect clearing skies and winds swinging around to the West. Winds will become strong and gusty tomorrow morning through Friday night. A series of High Wind alerts in effect for our area through Friday, including a High Wind Warning for the SW corner of North Dakota, Eastern, Montana and Western, South Dakota until 5pm (mst) tomorrow. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the rest of Southern & North-Central ND until Friday 6pm (cst). Bismarck-Mandan, Dickinson & Minot are included under this Wind Advisory. Travel may become hazardous, especially in high profile vehicles. Stronger winds in our area will be South & West. Though the NW corner of North Dakota is not included under any of the wind alerts, winds will still be moderate to strong and gusty.

The back side of this clipper will bring more cloud cover and a chance for scattered snow/mix to the northern half of Western, ND. Tomorrow, temperatures will be well above average and in a very mild range across much of the area. Temps will remain mild until our next weather-maker moves through the area. This weekend a weak cold front will move through the Dakotas and will calm down this rather active weather pattern that we have been in.

Through the rest of tonight & Friday

Expect cloudy skies and mild temperatures in the 30s. Fog will become widespread and dense for much of our area. A Dense Fog Advisory will remain in effect until Midnight. Meanwhile scattered rain/mix will move through the area. Winds will be light to moderate and variable before swinging around to the West & NW and becoming strong. Strong winds will continue through Friday with temps climbing through the 40s and well into the 50s for some. Early rain chances will taper off as skies clear out. Parts of our area (North) may some light scattered snow, tomorrow. Winds will be strong through the afternoon & evening.

7day planner

Expect mild air over Western, ND going into the weekend with a chance for rain Tonight and Winds becoming strong Friday. In the wake of a passing system we will see some clearing tomorrow leading to the sun shining a bit more. Our next chance for snow will be this weekend as a weak cold front moves through the area. In the wake of this front, temperatures will cool down somewhat and ranging through the 30s & 40s next week.

Tonight, expect increasing clouds with a chance for scattered rain/mix as a system moves through the Dakotas . Lows 29-36 with increasing wind speeds as they swing around to the West at 10-20mph & gusty.

Friday, we will see mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain/snow chances tapering off and winds picking up more speed. Skies will begin to clear out with mild temps. Highs on either side of 50 with a W/NW wind 20-30mph G40+.

Friday night, fair to partly cloudy skies with winds beginning to calm and increasing cover. Lows will be near 30 with 5-15mph winds, swinging around to the West.

Saturday, partly to mostly cloudy skies with continued increasing cover and chance for rain/mix well in advance of an approaching cold front. Highs 43-49 with winds swinging around to the North 2-12mph.

Saturday night a cold front 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.