Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the NE U.S. with a cold front stretched through the Ohio River valley and into the Midwest. Over the Dakotas another low is slowly moving through the region with an occluded front connecting to a third low over the upper- Midwest. A Cold front is stretched south from this third low, into the Southern Plains. A Broad ridge of high pressure is over much of the Eastern half of our nation.

Discussion

Across the area today we saw mostly cloudy skies with temperatures below average (avg. 59/32) for this time of the year and some developing fog. Hit and miss showers have been moving through the area and even more rain is on the way. Daytime highs were in the 30s and 40s where we saw scattered rain, abundant cloud cover and some fog. However, parts of the state did see temps climbing into the 50s.

After much needed rainfall, this clearing will bring some sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures. Since Thursday of last week, rain has been in the forecast allowing for much of our area to do a little catching up on rainfall totals. For the month, all but Dickinson are slightly above average when it comes to rainfall totals. However we are all still shy of being caught up for the year. Jamestown is the furthest away at -1.10".

Tonight, this low pressure system over the Northern Plains will gradually move West & Northwest. With counter-clockwise rotation, rain will move East to West and gradually to the North. By tomorrow we will see tapering rain chances with a few lingering showers and some clearing possible. Wednesday will bring in & out clouds. With more sunshine and much lower rain chances, temperatures will climb well into the 60s. Until a weak cold front moves through the area Wednesday night, dewpoints will stay between 40 & 50 degrees (with a few exceptions). This means that our air-mass will remain mild with developing fog possible, tonight & tomorrow night.

Our headlines include another system moving through the Dakotas tonight. We will see continued rain chances with areas of fog that will become dense for some. Also, winds will become breezy at times

Through the rest of tonight & Tuesday

We will see continued rain chances, becoming likely with a moderate wind out of the Northeast. This wind will be gusty at times and it will feel mild. We will see some developing fog that will lead to reduced visibility at times. After Midnight, expect gradually tapering rain chances with winds calming down some. Through the day there will be some clearing over parts of the area. Temperatures will be seasonable and climb to either side of 60 with a light to moderate wind out of the East.

7day planner

Expect continued rain tonight followed by gradually tapering chances Tuesday. By Wednesday we will see some clearing with in & out clouds in advance of a weak cold front. Wednesday night's front will include low rain chances, followed by clearing skies and slightly cooler temps. The latter half of our work week will bring some warming with more sunshine before our next chance for rain. This weekend looks nice with rising rain chances on Sunday.

Tonight, expect cloudy skies with continued rain chances beginning to taper off through the morning hours and areas of fog. Lows will be in the 40s with a NE wind 15-25mph. 90% chance for rain.

Tuesday we will see cloudy skies with scattered light showers early. There will be some clearing through the day. Highs 54-62 with an East wind 5-15mph and calming. 40% chance for rain.

Tuesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with some clearing and a few isolated showers. Lows 33-43 with East winds swinging around to the North, becoming light. 20% chance for rain.

Wednesday, expect partly to mostly cloudy skies with in & out cover and some clearing for much of the area. Highs 65-75 with a North/NW wind 5-15mph.

Wednesday we will see increasing clouds with a chance for scattered light rain as a weak cold front moves through the area. In the wake of this passing front we will see clearing skies and slightly cooler temps. Lows will be on either side of 40 with light NW winds.