Dakota Storm Center: Tuesday's Weather Blog

10:30pm

Overview

There is a strong low pressure system over the lower- Mississippi river valley and SE U.S. with a risk for severe weather. Several severe thunderstorm & tornado warnings have been issued as this system moves through gulf coast states. Elsewhere a weak clipper is over NE Montana and a broad ridge of high pressure is over the Central & Northern Plains. This high will continue to build over the Southern Plains in lieu of a departing low.

Discussion

A ridge of high pressure is anchored over the Central Plains and extended over the Northern Plains. This high brought unseasonably warm temps across the Dakotas with plenty of sunshine, today. Though temperatures were nowhere near record breaking, they climbed into a mild range. It felt pleasant across Western ND under mostly sunny skies. Across the area it was also breezy with peak gusts ranging from 25-40mph and making it feel about 10 degrees cooler than it actually was.

During the next 24 hours there will be scattered light snow and flurries moving through North Dakota, resulting in little to no accumulation. The latest in-house model run shows less than one inch across the state with most of Western ND not seeing more than 1/2 inch. Either way, light accumulations (If Any) are possible. If anything the early light snow showers and scattered flurries will keep daytime highs slightly cooler for some areas. However, some clearing is expected through the day and will result in slightly warmer temps for some. All together, we will be looking at temperatures mainly in the 30s. Some locations may even climb into the lower to mid 40s. Either way, temperatures are expected to climb into an above average range again Wednesday with scattered flurries, winds becoming breezy and more cloud cover.

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday

Overnight we will start off with a cool feel and temps continuing to fall through the 20s. Wind speeds will be tapering off, becoming light & variable. We will begin to see gradually increasing clouds after Midnight and a weak system will move through the area bringing scattered light snow with little to no accumulation expected. In the wake of this weak system we will see two things. 1) Winds will pick back up becoming moderate to strong & gusty and 2) scattered flurries/light snow will continue to affect parts of our area through much of the day. High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s and a few areas reaching into the 40s.

7day planner

Winds will become moderate to strong with scattered flurries and some clearing, tomorrow. In the wake of a passing weak clipper, we will see clearing skies Wednesday night & Thursday with calming winds. The later half of our work week will bring warming temperatures and more sunshine. Our next front is not until the weekend. In the wake our weekend front, temps fall into a more seasonable range.

Tonight, expect fair to partly cloudy skies with increasing cover and a chance for scattered light snow, after Midnight. Lows will be in the 20s & upper teens 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. There will be some clearing and a little sunshine. 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.

Thursday, we will see mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with continued clearing skies, revealing plenty of sunshine. Highs 35-42 with a NW/North wind 5-15mph.

Thursday night, expect fair to partly cloudy skies. Temps will be in the 20s with a SW wind, swinging around to the West and becoming light and chills in the teens.