Dakota Storm Center: Wednesday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

There is a Wind Advisory in effect for parts of Southwest North Dakota from 3am to 6pm (mdt) Thursday. Areas include Slope, Hettinger, Bowman & Adams Counties.

Late tonight, through tomorrow afternoon, sustained NW winds of 35mph with gusts near 50 are expected. Travel may become difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Also, working on elevated structures will be hazardous.

Overview

There is a strong low pressure system over the Midwest with a cold front stretched South, along the Mississippi River valley. There is a risk for severe weather associated with this system. This system will continue to move East & NE affecting the Eastern half of our nation. A secondary low is just north of the Dakotas.

Discussion

Today we started out with plenty of sunshine and a cool feel. This afternoon we saw increasing clouds across the area, resulting in mostly cloudy skies with a little clearing at times. Temperatures were well above average again and ranged through the 50s. The warm spot on the map was Bismarck/Mandan at 60.

Across the Northern Plains, we have been seeing mostly cloudy skies with scattered light rain. There is a weak developing low pressure system to our North that will move (North to South) through the Dakotas tonight & Thursday morning. This system is a little different from most. There will not be a leading edge or 'front' with it. So, expect rising rain chances with rain transitioning to mix & snow for some. Shower activity will be off/on through the overnight hours. After Midnight, we will start to see tapering rain chances as the first wave of rain moves through the state. Tomorrow, scattered mix/snow will move through Central & Western ND. As temperatures climb well into the 40s, any snow will become mix & rain. So, those of us who do see snow, will not see much accumulation at all. The most we are looking at is a nuisance snow/mix. Through the rest of the morning, rain/snow chances will taper off again. The back side of this system will move through the Dakotas Thursday evening and overnight with another round of precip chances. The tricky part of this forecast is timing and location. This system will not be very organized and rain/snow showers will be scattered. Tomorrow, we will see off/on precip chances coupled with increasing wind speeds. Winds will be moderate to strong and very gusty for some.

All together, this passing system will move through our area during the next couple of days. We will continue to see increasing clouds with winds becoming moderate to strong and gusty. Rain/snow chances will come back into play tonight, through tomorrow night. Since precip will be scattered, expect off/on rain & snow showers. Not everyone will be highly impacted by this event.

Through the rest of tonight & Thursday

Expect more clouds tonight with a chance for scattered rain. There will be a lull in precip, followed by a chance for mix/snow/rain through tomorrow morning. Temperatures will not fall much and settle in the 30s with a few 20s possible. Tomorrow rain/snow chances will return with another round of scattered precip and come clearing. Temperatures will be close to average for this time of the year with a cool feel. Winds will be strong and gusty, out of the North. Overnight, we will see tapering precip chances.

7day planner

There will be a chance for rain, mix & snow tonight and Thursday. Winds will be breezy through the next few days. Friday & Saturday we will see clearing skies as we go into the weekend. Temperatures will climb back into the 50s & 60s after a brief cool down. After tomorrow, our next chance for precip will be at the end of the 7day planner.

Tonight, expect continued increasing clouds and rising precip chances. Rain will become mix & snow as temps fall to near freezing. 28-40 with a NW wind 10-20mph G30. 70% chance for precip.

Thursday, expect mostly cloudy skies with continued hit & miss snow/rain showers. There will be some clearing between precip. Highs 42-50 with a moderate to strong wind out of the North, 15-25 mph G35. 60% chance for precip.

Thursday night most of our area will see clearing, resulting in fair to partly cloudy skies and cooing temperatures. There will be some lingering snow/rain showers until skies clear out. Lows will be in the 20s with a NW wind 5-15mph and chills in the teens. 30% chance for precip.

Friday we will see partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies with continued clearing and a pleasant feel. Highs 48-56 with a NW/North wind 10-20mph.

Friday night, expect fair to partly cloudy skies with a cool feel. Lows 26-33 with a NW wind 5-15mph G20 and chills in the teens & 20s. 10% chance for precip.