Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview
There is a low pressure system over the Central & Southern plains that is moving into the Mississippi River valley This system will continue to move through the Eastern half of the nation with a risk for severe weather for affected areas. A broad ridge of high pressure is moving from Canada, over the Northern Plains.

Discussion
Across the area today we saw in & out clouds with some isolated light showers. The next couple of days will bring lower rain chances, more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Today, high temperatures across most of the state were in a seasonable range. The cool area on the map was the Southwest corner of North Dakota. North & East of the Missouri river valley highs were in the 60s. The SW corner of the state did not get out of the 50s. Minot & Fargo got up to 66.

A broad ridge of high pressure is over Canada. This system will expand over the Dakotas and anchor its self over the Northern Plains during the next couple of days. This means we will see plenty of sunshine with warming temperatures through the next several days. A few short-range models are picking up on a weak front that will brush across the northern fringe of our viewing area, Sunday night & Monday morning. This system will bring more in & out clouds with a few scattered showers possible.

Otherwise, our long-term forecast looks mostly rain free. Moving forward, we can expect continued clearing skies. The next several days will bring low rain chances with plenty of sunshine and warmer temperatures. This weekend it will become a little breezy at times.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday
Expect continued clearing skies with temps falling back into the 30s as winds become light tonight. Tomorrow will bring more sunshine with no chance for rain and temps climbing back into a seasonable range. Winds will be ENE, moderate and breezy at times.

7day planner
Expect continued clearing skies and warming temps through the next several days. Daytime highs will climb through the 60s and into the 70s. This weekend will bring more sunshine with temps climbing into the 60sand a pleasant feel. By the end of the 7day planner we will be looking at even warmer temps. After today out next chance for rain is not on the 7day planner.

Tonight, we will see fair to partly cloudy skies with continued clearing and a cool feel. Lows 34-41 with an East/NE wind 2-12mph.

Saturday, expect plenty of sunshine with in & out light clouds and more seasonable temps. Highs 54-64 with an East wind 5-15mph, becoming gusty at times.

Saturday night we will see mostly clear skies with a cool feel. Lows in the 30s with a NE wind 5-15mph and calming.

Sunday, expect plenty of sunshine with a slightly warmer feel. Highs will be in the 60s with a NE/N wind 2-10mph.

Sunday night, we will see mostly clear skies with a cool feel. Lows on either side of 40 with a light SW wind 2-10mph.