Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog 3.14

9:00pm

Overview

There is a developing low pressure system over the Northern Plains, bringing scattered rain to affected areas. Elsewhere, a secondary low is developing over the Central Plains. Over the Ohio River valley & Mid-Atlantic states, there is a third low that continues to bring a risk for severe weather to the area.

Discussion

Today, we started off with some sunshine and saw gradually increasing clouds through the midday & afternoon hours. Temperatures were well above average and climbed through the 60s & even into the 70s for some. Minot, Bismarck/Mandan & Mobridge had record breaking high temperatures. Jamestown, Grand Forks & Fargo came close to their record highs with temps topping out well into the 60s.

A low pressure system will continue to develop as it moves through the Dakotas, tonight. This is a spin-off low and will quickly move North, into Canada. However it is bringing us some much needed rain. Scattered showers & a few thunderstorms will continue to move through the Dakotas and rain chances will taper off with clearing skies through the early morning hours. Most of our area is expected to see less than 1/2" of rain. Areas affected by a few thunderstorms may see more. Nevertheless, accumulated rainfall (tonight) will not put much of a dent into our deficit. Through the morning hours, a general North & East motion will continue with this passing system. In the wake of this system, temperatures will fall through the 50s & 40s and into a more seasonable range (Thursday & Friday) briefly.

A second low over the Central Plains will continue to develop as it moves NE, toward the Great Lakes Region. This low will stall out just to our East (over the Great Lakes & upper- Midwest) Wednesday & Thursday. Wrap around motion will bring a continued NW to SE flow across the Dakotas. Some moisture will also move around this low and into our area. So, we will see increasing clouds, late on Tuesday. From Tuesday night through the latter half of our work week, we will see mostly cloudy skies with some clearing and scattered rain/mix showers and flurries.

Through the rest of tonight & Tuesday

Expect mostly cloudy skies with a chance for scattered rain and a few, isolated thunderstorms, before Midnight. In the wake of a passing system, expect clearing with continued breezy conditions as winds swing around to the West & NW.

Tomorrow, we will start off with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and a cool feel. Plenty of sunshine early will lead to temps climbing into a mild range, before we see increasing clouds, again. Through the evening & overnight hours, there will be a chance for a few scattered rain/snow showers. Any activity will be hit & miss.

7day planner

After a chance for rain tonight with a few isolated thunderstorms, there will be some clearing with the sun shining, early tomorrow. Then clouds will move in followed by scattered rain/snow mix Wednesday & Thursday. Late Friday, we will begin to see gradual clearing (through Saturday) with tapering chances for precip and temperatures climbing above the seasonable norm, during the weekend. Through the latter half of our work week, temperatures will be close to average for this time of the year.

Tonight, scattered showers and a few thunderstorms followed by clearing, after Midnight. Lows will range through the 30s with a moderate to strong wind swinging around to the NW 10-20mph.

Tuesday will start off with mostly sunny skies and a mild feel, through the day. During the afternoon & evening, we will see increasing clouds followed by hit & miss rain, becoming mix as temps fall to near freezing. Highs 52-60 with a West, becoming NW wind 15-25mph G35.

Tuesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with some scattered mix/flurries and temps falling through the 30s. Lows 27-34 with a moderate to strong wind, swinging around to the West.

Wednesday, we will continue to see mostly cloudy skies with hit & miss flurries/mix/rain and some clearing at times. Highs 42-51 with gusty winds, out of the NW 15-25mph G40.

Wednesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain/snow. Lows will be on either side of 30 with a moderate to strong wind out of the NW.