Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system north of the NE U.S. with a cold front stretched south through the Ohio River Valley and into the Lower Mississippi river valley. A secondary low is developing along this front over SE Texas and there is a risk for severe weather associated with this system. Elsewhere, a broad ridge of high pressure is slowly moving East over the Northern & Central Plains and Midwest.

Discussion

Today we saw plenty of sunshine with a few clouds and a light to moderate wind that was variable, before swinging around to the SE. Temperatures were slightly below the seasonable norm, but a warming trend is ahead followed by our next chance for rain. Highs ranged from the mid- 30s through the 40s and well into the 50s. The warm spot on the map was along the western fringe of our viewing area.

Across the Northern Plains, there is a broad ridge of high pressure over the Dakotas. To our West, a low pressure system has a warm front that is stretched North to South along the lee side of the Rockies. This warm front will move through the Northern Plains tonight, causing a warming trend for us during the next couple of days. In the wake of this warm front, we will see clearing skies with temperatures climbing through the 60s and settling on either side of 70 tomorrow. Unseasonably warm temps with little to no moisture will lead to the return of very dry conditions. Conditions tomorrow will lead to a dry air mass with warmer temps, low humidity values (forecast RH values will range from 15-25%) and winds picking up some speed (S/NW 10-20mph & gusty at times). With these conditions combined, there will be an increased Fire Danger for the SW corner of our area tomorrow. Wednesday & Thursday, dewpoints will climb a bit as more moisture moves into the area. Also, temperatures continue to climb well into the mid & even upper 70s with scattered rain in the forecast. A low pressure system will begin to develop over Montana and move through the Northern Plains affecting our area, later this week.

All together, a ridge of high pressure that will eventually give way to our next rain maker. Plenty of sunshine is expected with a few in& out clouds during the next couple of days. With abundant sunshine and light to moderate winds, temperatures will gradually climb into an unseasonably warm range. Our next system will begin to affect the area Wednesday night and a few thunderstorms are possible Thursday night and Friday.

Through the rest of tonight & Tuesday

Expect low rain chances with in & out clouds through the beginning of the work week. Tonight a warm front will move through the area and lows in the 20s. There will be a chance for rain on the Eastern side of our state tomorrow (associated with our passing warm front) and winds will begin to pick back up for some of us. Highs will range from the mid to upper 60s through the lower to mid 70s.

7day planner

A calm weather pattern will continue through Hump-day with low rain chances, plenty of sunshine and temperatures climbing into an unseasonably warm range. Our next chance for rain will come Wednesday night followed by a few waves of shower/thunderstorm activity through the latter half of the work week, going into the weekend. A cold front will clear out the moisture followed by temperatures dipping below average this weekend.

Tonight, expect fair to partly cloudy skies with in & out cover and a cool feel. Lows 21-28 with a light to moderate wind out of the SE that will pick up at times.

Tuesday, we will see mostly sunny skies with a few in & out clouds and a warming trend. Highs 64-71 with a SE/NE wind 5-15mph G20 and chills in the teens.

Tuesday night, expect fair to partly cloudy skies and it will not be as cool. Lows 30-37 with a NE wind swinging around to the north 2-12mph.

Wednesday will start off with plenty of sunshine and continued warming. More clouds will move into the area, late. Highs 69-77 with a SE wind 5-15mph.

Wednesday night, expect continued increasing clouds early with rising rain chances resulting in scattered showers and winds becoming gusty. Lows will be in the 40s with a SE wind 5-15mph G25.