Dakota Storm Center: Wednesday's Weather Blog

10:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the NE U.S. that is continuing to bring scattered snow to the Great Lakes region, Ohio River valley & NE. A weak low is moving into the SE U.S. There is also a stationary front stretched through the Northern Plains. Elsewhere, broad ridge of high pressure is still anchored over the SW U.S.

Discussion

A stationary front that is over the western edge of the Dakotas will continue to bring cloudy skies and scattered snow to our area through the day tomorrow. We have been under the influence of this same front the past couple of days. East of the front, temperatures are cold and below average for this time of the year. West of this front, a much warmer air mass is providing a mild feel and along the front temps are close to seasonable (avg 27/6). There was a broad range of temperatures across the state with daytime highs ranging from 9 (Devils Lake) through the upper 40s and even 53 (Buffalo, SD), today. Through tonight & Thursday this same stationary front will be partially responsible for another round of light, scattered snow across Central & Western ND. There will also be developing fog across parts of our area (South & West) where you see fog, freezing fog & freezing drizzle is possible. Otherwise, tonight will fit into the trend that we have been seeing, lately. Mostly cloudy skies, a cool feel and temps above average for this time of the year.Tomorrow, we will see light, snow move across the area (West to East). This round of light snow will be associated with a piece of energy that will move (north to south) along the stationary front over Western, ND. Any accumulation will be light with 1"-3" expected for affected areas.

48hr Snowfall Totals (4km RPM Model Guidance)

This active weather pattern will continue as we go through the weekend and into the beginning of the work week. A broad ridge of high pressure, associated with an Arctic air mass, will move over our area Friday and into Saturday. Saturday & Saturday night a warm front will move through the area. Some long-range models are hinting at a light to moderate snowfall from this weekend warm front. At this time an additional 2"-5" is possible this weekend. Keep in mind that this weekend event is still a little further down the road. During the next couple of days, model guidance will begin to line up and I will have a better idea of totals.

Through the rest of tonight & Thursday

Expect mostly cloudy skies with a chance for developing fog, mainly in the SW corner of our area. Light flurries/snow showers will begin to move into the area before Midnight. After Midnight, Western ND (followed by Central ND) will start to see rising snow chances. Temps will settle into the lower 20s & mid to upper teens across the area. Scattered snow will move through the state during the day from West to East and be off/on for much of the area. Temps tomorrow will climb into a more seasonable range.

7day planner

An active weather pattern will continue through the weekend and into the beginning of the work week. Scattered snow will move through Western ND tomorrow, resulting in light accumulations less than 2" for most of the affected area. Friday & Saturday, a ridge of high pressure to our North & East will move over the Dakotas bringing much cooler air over the Northern Plains. A Weekend warm front will bring another round of snow Saturday & Saturday night before temperatures climb back into a mild range and well above average.

Tonight, mostly cloudy skies with a few flurries and some light snow developing, North. Some fog will develop over SW, ND. Lows, 14-22 with a NE/East wind 2-10mph and chills in the teens & single digits.

Thursday, we will see mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow and light accumulations. Highs 25-33 with a SE/NE wind 2-12mph.

Thursday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow chances tapering off as a cold front moves into the Dakotas. Lows 10-18 with NE winds 2-12mph and chills in the single digits.

Friday, expect continued clearing skies revealing mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. Highs will be in the teens with temps continuing to fall through the day and a NE wind 2-12mph.

Friday Night, expect fair to partly cloudy skies with increasing cover in advance of our next warm front. Lows in the single digits with a light to moderate wind out of the SE becoming gusty at times. Chills will be below zero and in the negative teens.