Dakota Storm Center: Tuesday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview

Over the Central & Northern plains there is a low pressure system that continues to develop. A secondary low is over the Great Lakes region. A weak front is stretched from this low, West and into the plains. A Broad ridge of high pressure is over the NE Gulf of Mexico and Western Atlantic ocean. This high is bringing clear skies and warmer temps with a rain free forecast to most of the Eastern half of our nation.

Discussion

Today we have been seeing cloudy skies across Western North Dakota with temps that were cooler than yesterday and slightly above average for this time of the year. Daytime highs ranged from the 30s through the 50s, across our viewing area.

Over the Central & Northern Plains, there is a low pressure system that is developing on the lee side of the Rockies. This system will move across the Plains during the next couple of days, bringing a chance for rain & snow through the Dakotas. Today, there was very little precip across most of the state. The only activity on radar included an area of snow to our north and an area of rain to our south. Model guidance shows that the area of snow (to our north) will move South and through the state, tonight. I am not buying it completely. There is a lot of dry air aloft and model guidance shows that snow should have already made it down into SW ND. This evening, we did not see much movement with the area of snow to our north. Some light snow/mix is barely falling around Minot, by 9pm. Parts of Western ND may see a few scattered snow showers with little to no accumulation expected. During the next couple of days, we will see clearing skies with warmer temperatures by Thursday. After tonight, our next chance for snow or rain will be Friday as a low pressure system moves through the Dakotas.

Headlines for this evening include mostly cloudy skies with some clearing and winds remaining breezy at times. Scattered rain and snow will affect parts of our area, tonight. Temperatures will briefly cool down and stay in a more seasonable range through tomorrow.

Through the rest of tonight & Wednesday

We will see continued cloud cover and with a chance for scattered light snow as a weak piece of energy to our north fizzles out and moves South. Snow chances will be hit & miss through the early morning hours with a few lingering flurries possible around sunrise. Lows will fall through the 30s and well into the 20s with a few teens. A Moderate wind will make it feel like it is in the teens and near the lower, double digits. Tomorrow, we will see clearing skies with slightly cooler temperatures. Most of the area will see highs on either side of 40 with some of our temps climbing into the mid 40s. Then a warming trend will bring temps even higher, Thursday.

7day planner

There will be a low chance for scattered precip moving through our state tonight, followed by clearing skies and warming temps during the next couple of days. By Thursday night & Friday, our next system will move through the Northern Plains. This will bring breezy conditions, slightly cooler temps and our next chance for rain & snow. Through the weekend, expect more sunshine and a gradual warming trend that will last through Easter Sunday and into the beginning of the work week.

Tonight, cloudy skies will continue with a chance for a few scattered mix/snow showers. Expect breezy conditions and a chilly feel. Lows 18-27 with a NE wind 10-20mph G25.

Wednesday, there will be a few scattered snow/mix showers early followed by tapering precip chances and clearing skies. Highs 35-45 with a NE wind 5-15mph and a little gusty at times.

Wednesday night, expect continued clearing and a chilly feel. Lows 19-26 with a light wind swinging around to the South.

Thursday, expect plenty of sunshine with some in & out clouds and temperatures climbing into a mild range. Highs 54-63 with a light to moderate wind, swinging around to the West.

Thursday night, we will see increasing clouds, followed by rising chances for rain/snow showers in advance of our next system. Lows will be on either side of 30 with a light wind out of the SW.