Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

11:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system continuing to move over the Atlantic Ocean and away from the NE U.S. A ridge of high pressure is over much of the SE US. Across the Midwest & Great Lakes region, a low pressure system will bring snow/mix to affected areas. A second ridge of high pressure is over the Central Plains and remains associated with a warmer air mass.

Discussion

A ridge of high pressure to our south will continue to build and expand over the Northern Plains through this weekend. We will then fall into a relatively quiet weather pattern until our next system moves into the area during the beginning of the work week. Temperatures will climb into an unseasonably warm range with near record breaking highs possible on Sunday. Saturday, temps will top out in the mid to upper 50s and lower to mid 60s. Sunday afternoon, highs will range through the 60s with lower to mid 70s possible. This warming trend will be interrupted by a cold front that will move through our area during the beginning of the work week.

On a different note, 50 years ago the blizzard of 1966 was an unforgettable event with blizzard conditions that lasted for 43 hours. This past week I have heard a few amazing stories and seen incredible pictures from this blizzard. At the end of this weather event that ran from March 2-4, snowfall accumulations ranged from less than 1" to 32" with drifts that were outstanding.

http://www.kxnet.com/story/31370509/blizzard-of-1966-remembered-50-years-later

http://www.weather.gov/bis/March1966Blizzard

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday

Overnight we will see fair to partly cloudy skies with in & out cover and a cool feel. Winds will become light and swing around to the SE, after Midnight. Temperatures will be in the 20s with chills in the teens & 20s.

Tomorrow will bring another round of sunshine with in & out light clouds. Temperatures will climb through the 30s & 40s early, topping out in the mid to upper 50s and lower to mid 60s across much of our area as winds become breezy again.

7day planner

Through the weekend highs will continue to climb through the 50s and well into the 60s by Sunday. We will continue to see plenty of sunshine with in & out clouds. The beginning of the work week will bring increasing clouds and our next system. In the wake of this next front, temperatures look to stay mild and in an unseasonably warm range.

Tonight, expect fair to partly cloudy skies with temps in the 20s and a moderate wind becoming light 5-15mph, swinging around to the SE and chills in the teens.

Saturday, expect plenty of sunshine and a little breezy with a few clouds. Highs will be on either side of 60 with a mild feel and a moderate wind out of the South, becoming gusty at times.

Saturday night, we will see fair skies with a few clouds and a cool feel. Lows 30-37 with a South wind 5-15mph.

Sunday will bring with it, plenty of sunshine and pleasantly warm conditions. Highs 65-72 with a South/SE wind 2-12mph.

Sunday night will start with mostly clear skies and temps falling into the 30s. In advance of our next system, we will begin to see increasing clouds with a SE wind 2-10mph and Lows 35-42.