Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview
There is a cold front stretched north to south through the plains with a low pressure system over the Dakotas. A second stationary front is over the Gulf Coast and a broad ridge of high pressure is over much of the eastern half or our nation.

Discussion
Across the area today we saw mostly cloudy skies with unseasonably warm temperatures. Hit and miss showers have been moving through the area and even more rain is on the way. Highs ranged from the upper 40s, through the 50s & 60s and into the 70s across the state. The warm area on the map was Southeast North Dakota. Mobridge reached 71 and it was 72 in Fargo.

Across the Northern Plains, a pair of low pressure systems continue to develop along a front that is stretched through the Dakotas. A low pressure system to our South- Southwest will move through the Dakotas bringing a chance for widespread rain and snow during the next couple of days. Rain chances will pick up after midnight with showers and a few thunderstorms possible through the morning hours. Overnight there will be a few flurries over parts of Western North Dakota. During the late morning and midday hours, some of the rain will transition to snow for the Western third of the state and this activity will continue with some breaks through the rest of the day. After this first wave (tomorrow) the rest of the weekend will bring continued off/on rain across most of the state.

Snowfall totals for those that are affected will mainly be 1"-3" on grassy areas and there may be some accumulation on the roads. Parts of the state could see 4"+ in isolated locations, but due to warm soil temps a lot of the snow will melt.

Model Guidance (4km_RPM) Snowfall Totals for Saturday

Rainfall totals are a different story. During the next 3 days 1"-2" is expected for much of Central & Eastern ND. Parts of the state may see much more, to the tune of near 3" + of new rain. The western side of the state will see from .25" up to 1.5".

Model Guidance (12km_RPM) 3day Rainfall Totals

Headlines include another system moving into the Dakotas tonight. We will see rising rain chances with scattered rain & snow through the weekend and significant accumulations expected.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday
Tonight we will see rising rain chances with a moderate to strong wind that will be gusty at times. Temperatures will fall into the 30s and it will feel like it is in the 20s. Tomorrow morning, rain chances will continue to rise with rain transitioning to snow across much of Western and parts of Central ND. Most of Central & Eastern ND will continue to see rain with some mix. Temperatures will not go far due to rain and snow. Highs tomorrow will be in the 30s & the 40s with a moderate wind out of the North that will be a little gusty at times. It looks like precip will be the main weather headline with high rainfall accumulations expected and 2"-4" of new snow possible for some.

7day planner
The 7 day planner shows a likely chance for rain and some snow through the next few days. Temps will cool down this weekend as scattered precip remains in the forecast. This event will start to wrap up on Monday with tapering rain chances followed by clearing skies. After a wet weekend, conditions will change again. Through the rest of the work week, expect more sunshine with temperatures warming through the 60s and into the 70s through the latter half of the work week.

Tonight, we will see mostly cloudy skies with rising chances for rain and a few thunderstorms. Lows will be in the 30s with a North wind 10-20mph and breezy at times. 50% chance for AM rain with 1/4" - 1/2" expected.

Saturday, rain chances will continue for most of our area with scattered snow over the western third of the state. Temperatures will be warm enough to prevent a lot of accumulation. However light totals are possible for some. Highs will be in the 30s & 40s with a North wind 10-20mph & gusty at times. 70% chance for rain/mix with up to 1/2" of rain expected and 1"-3" snow possible, for some.

Saturday night, we will see hit & miss scattered rain with some snow/mix possible. Lows 27-35 with a North wind 5-15mph. 50% chance for rain with less than 1/2" expected.

Sunday, expect scattered rain/mix early followed by some clearing during the afternoon. Rain chances will return late and it will be breezy at times. Highs 48-58 with a North/NE wind 10-20mph. 60% chance for rain with around 1/4" of rain expected.

Sunday night we will see continued rain chances starting to taper off followed by some clearing. Lows will be in the 30s with a North wind 5-15mph. 60% chance for rain with 1/2-3/4" of rain possible.