Dakota Storm Center: Monday's Weather Blog

9:00pm
A Fire Weather Watch in effect for much of South Central North Dakota until Tuesday, 7pm cdt.

This area includes Morton, Burleigh, Grant, Sioux, Emmons, Logan & McIntosh counties.

Low humidity values (< 20% RH) and moderate to strong winds (W/NW 15-25 & Gusty) with a chance for isolated thunderstorms will lead to increased fire danger weather.

There is a High Wind Watch in effect for parts of Southwest North Dakota until Tuesday 9pm mdt.
This includes Stark, Hettinger, Adams, Bowman, Slope, Billings & Golden Valley counties.

A High Wind Watch means that, winds will become strong with sustained winds at least 40mph and gusts in excess of 60mph, are possible. Reduced visibility will also be also a possibility within areas of snow shower activity, Tuesday evening.

Overview

A low pressure system over the NE U.S. will continue to move East. A cold front & stationary front are stretched across the southern half of the nation, into the plains. A broad ridge of high pressure is anchored over the Great Lakes region, Midwest & Ohio River valley. A second low pressure system will continue to develop over the Northern Plains.

Discussion

Across the area today, we have been seeing mostly sunny skies with in & out cover winds becoming breezy at times. Temperatures have been well above average with a calm and dry pattern continuing from this weekend. Highs ranged from the upper 30s through the upper 60s across the state, today. The warm spot on the map was Baker at 69.

After a pleasant and dry weekend, we are starting the work week off with plenty of sunshine and a little breeze. Through the next couple of days, we will start to see changes. Tonight, expect more clouds rolling in from the west as a low pressure system continues to redevelop on the lee side of the Rockies (over Montana). This system will move through our area tomorrow, bringing a chance for rain, snow and possibly even a few thunderstorms. A second system will move through the Dakotas Wednesday night & Thursday with a chance for rain & a few thunderstorms. This active weather pattern will begin to calm down as we wrap up the work week. Winds will become strong & gusty as two different systems take turns moving through the region. Scattered rain will be hit & miss and not everyone is expected to get wet. Though we are expecting possible thunderstorm activity, severe weather is not a threat at this time.

Headlines include an approaching system that continues to develop over Montana. Expect increasing clouds with rising rain chances and a few thunderstorms possible through the next couple of days. There is also a series of watches and warnings in effect for parts of our area.

Through the rest of tonight & Sunday

Tonight temperatures will not go far, only dipping into the 30s. As a warm front moves through the Northern Plains, we will see increasing clouds tonight with rising rain chances after Midnight. This will be the first wave of off/on rain chances during the next couple of days. Light showers will move through the area early, followed by some clearing and rain/snow showers through Tuesday evening & overnight. Tomorrow afternoon & evening, a few thunderstorms will be possible. Temperatures will be similar to what we saw today with highs in the 50s & 60s across the area. Winds will become strong and gusty, resulting in a Fire Weather Watch and a High Wind Watch that may be upgraded to a warning tonight or Tuesday.

7day planner

A couple of clippers will develop and move through our area Tonight through Wednesday night. We will see in & out clouds with off/on chances for rain/snow showers and a few thunderstorms. This active weather pattern will bring much needed rainfall through the region. Though we are expecting to be impacted by these systems, our abnormally dry weather pattern will not catch much relief at all. As these systems move through the Dakotas, we will also see strong winds, a slight cool-off and temps falling to near seasonable by Thursday. Otherwise, expect clearing skies Thursday and Friday will bring more sunshine with warming temp as we go into the weekend.

Tonight we will see increasing clouds with a mild feel, followed by rising chances for showers (after Midnight). Lows 35-42 with a SE/South wind 10-20mph. 50% chance for scattered rain.

Tuesday, expect a chance for scattered showers early followed by clearing and more sunshine for some. Rain/snow chances will come back into play, late. Highs 57-65 with a moderate to strong wind swinging around to the West (10-20mph). 30% chance for rain.

Tuesday night will bring with it rising chances for rain& snow and increasing wind speeds. Lows 27-34 with strong & gusty winds out of the West/North (20-30mph G35+). 60% chance for rain/snow showers.

Wednesday after rain/snow chances taper off early, we will see in & out clouds with continued gusty winds. Through the afternoon & evening hours, expect increasing clouds and rising chances for showers with a few thunderstorms possible. Highs 55-62 with a NW wind 10-20mph. 20% chance for rain.

Wednesday night, expect tapering rain chances and gradually clearing skies. Lows 33-41 with moderate to strong winds out of the NW (15-25mph & Gusty). 40% chance for rain.