Dakota Storm Center: Thursday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview

A low pressure system continues to develop over the Northern Plains. This system will move East across the Dakotas, tomorrow. Over the Great Lakes region, a second low pressure system will continue to move East into the NE US, with a cold front that is stretched South along the Atlantic coastline. Over most of the Central & Southern Plains, a ridge of high pressure is building in the wake of a departing front.

Discussion

Today we saw plenty of sunshine across most of the area. Temperatures were pleasantly warm and climbed through the 50s for most Western, ND. The warm area was Central, ND with temperatures that climbed into the lower 60s. Though no records were broken, temperatures were well above average for this time of the year. Through the afternoon, we saw gradually increasing clouds with a few showers moving into the state.

Across the Northern Plains, there a low pressure system that will continue to develop over Northeast Montana. This system will move East and Southeast, through the Dakotas and over our area. Closer to home skies are mostly cloudy with increasing cover and scattered rain moving through the state. This light shower activity is hit & miss and just the beginning. Also, not all of the rain on radar has been reaching the ground this evening. As temperatures fall to near the freezing mark, some of the scattered rain may transition to a wintry mix. Through the early morning hours, expect rising rain chances as this system continues to move through the region. Through Friday, temperatures will be falling and rain/mix showers will transition to snow. Friday night we will see tapering snow chances followed by clearing skies in the wake of this passing low. Through the weekend, expect plenty of sunshine with a some passing clouds and warming temperatures. By Easter Sunday, daytime highs will be back in the 50s. Unseasonably warm temps will continue until our next system moves through the Northern Plains, next week. By the end of this event (Friday Night) only light accumulations are expected. For the most part, up to 1" will fall across most of Western ND. Parts of the area will see 1"-3" and isolated locations could see more.

Precisioncast (4km _RPM in house model) Event Totals

During the next 24 hours, a lot of changes are expected. We will see continued scattered showers and some wintry mix tonight. Tomorrow, winds will become breezy and this late week system will continue to move through the Dakotas. As temperatures fall through the 30s, rain will transition to snow with light accumulations possible.

Through the rest of tonight & Friday

Tonight, we will see continued increasing clouds with a chance for scattered rain and a cool feel. Through the early morning hours, expect rising rain chances. As a low pressure system moves through the area, temperatures will not warm much before falling through the 30s. We will see off/on rain, becoming snow by late Friday. Winds will be breezy and swing around to the North.

7day planner

In the wake of this passing system, expect clearing skies. Through the weekend, plenty of sunshine will become the theme as temps climb back into an unseasonably warm range for Easter Sunday and through the beginning of the work week. There will be another system and our next chance for precip by Wednesday & Thursday of next week.

Tonight, we will see increasing clouds, followed by rising chances for rain/mix showers in advance of our next system. Lows will be in the 30s with a light to moderate wind out of the SW/South.

Friday will bring mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain/snow showers as our next system moves through the area. Temperatures will not warm much before cooling. Highs 32-42 with a moderate wind swinging around to the North, becoming gusty at times. Chills will be in the 20s.

Friday night, we will see tapering chances for rain & snow, followed by clearing skies. Lows will be in the teens with a light to moderate wind out of the North and chills in the teens & single digits.

Saturday will bring continued clearing skies early, resulting in plenty of sunshine with a few clouds. Highs 38-46 with North winds swinging around to the SW 5-15mph.

Saturday night, expect a chilly feel with fair to partly cloudy skies. Lows will be in the 20s with a light SW wind and chills in the teens.