Dakota Storm Center: Tuesday's Weather Blog

9:30PM

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the Great Lakes Region & NE U.S. with a cold front stretched South, along the Appalachian Mountains. This system is bringing scattered snow and cold air to much of the Eastern half of the nation. A broad ridge of high pressure is building over the Mississippi River valley, the Southern Plains and SW U.S. Closer to home a stationary front is stretched North to South through the Dakotas and into the Central Plains.

Discussion

The stationary front that is stretched through the Northern Plains is the cause of mostly cloudy skies, scattered snow and significant temperature differences across the state. Scattered snow will develop along this front tonight as a quick moving clipper system moves through the Dakotas. This piece of energy will move along the stationary front from north to south overnight. Snow chances will become likely for Central & Eastern ND as an area of widespread snow moves South & East.

Through this evening light scattered snow has been off/on along the stationary front, mainly affecting Central, ND. Snow chances will be on the rise, through the rest of tonight. There will be a chance for wintry mix becoming snow in parts of our area (West of the Missouri River) as temperatures fall below freezing. Through the early morning hours, this system will move East bringing most of the snow over Eastern, ND. Around sunrise snow will transition to a light wintry mix as chances taper off. A second round of light snow will be scattered and move through our area during the day, Thursday. Accumulations during the next 48 hours are expected to be light and range from a Trace - 3" in Western & Central, ND with 4"+ possible for Eastern, ND. If this front shifts to the east or west even slightly, snowfall accumulations may be completely different. Given the current set up, I would not be surprised if that happened. Nevertheless, a light accumulation is probable across North Dakota.

The Next 48 Hours (4km Rapid Precision Model)

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday

Overnight we will continue to see mostly cloudy skies with temps falling through the 20s and rising snow chances along a stationary front. Scattered snow will bring light accumulations to affected areas. Snow chances will taper off Wednesday morning. Through the day tomorrow, a few flurries will move through the area with mostly cloudy skies and some clearing. Snow chances will pick up again, Wednesday Night through Thursday.

7day planner

We will continue to see off/on snow chances through the next couple of days with temperatures above average. A late week system will move through the area Thursday night & Friday bringing another round of light snow followed by more sunshine & cooler temps going into the weekend. By Sunday & Monday, a warm front will bring warmer temps back into play with scattered snow and mild temperatures.

Tonight, expect cloudy skies with a chance for scattered light snow. Lows 17-26. East/SE wind 2-12mph and chills in the teens.

Wednesday, we will see mostly cloudy skies with some clearing and a chance for scattered snow becoming a wintry mix as temps climb above freezing. Highs in the 30s. SE/NE wind 5-15mph.

Wednesday night, mostly cloudy skies with a few flurries. Lows12-19. NE/East wind 2-10mph and chills in the teens & single digits.

Thursday, we will see mostly cloudy skies with another round of scattered snow. Highs in the 30s. SE wind 2-12mph.

Thursday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with tapering snow chances through the night. Lows will be in the teens with a light to moderate wind out of the East.