Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview

There is a low pressure system over the upper- Midwest that will continue to move Southeast, along a warm front that is stretched through the Great Lakes region. A surface trough is stretched North & NW into southern Manitoba and a cold front runs south (from this system) into the Central Plains where a second low is developing. A third low is also developing over Southeast Texas. A broad ridge of high pressure will begin to build over the Northern Plains & Pacific Northwest.

Discussion

Across the area today we have been seeing a mixture of sunshine & cloud cover with showers & thunderstorms moving through the state. Today, highs were in a pleasantly warm range. Temps climbed through the 70s and to either side of 80 and the warm spot on the map was Mobridge at 81. In Bismarck there was a high of 80 and a low of 58. In Dickinson, a high of 74 and a low of 53. So, temperatures were slightly above average for this time of the year.

A low pressure system to our East is continuing to move Southeast through Minnesota. This system is producing widespread shower & thunderstorm activity over affected areas. As the low pressure system continues to move East & Southeast, rain chances will move with it tonight and through the day tomorrow. Temperatures will climb through the 70s and to either side of 80 with some lingering showers expected well to our East, but these showers& clouds will also clear out. More sunshine with in & out cloud cover will be the trend through the weekend as a ridge of high pressure starts to build over the Dakotas. A weak cold front will move through our area on Sunday. It will bring in & out clouds with isolated showers possible. The beginning of the work week will bring more sunshine as another ridge of high pressure moves over the Dakotas. As most of us head back to work, we will see in & out clouds with temps warming through the mid to upper 70s.

Headlines include scattered showers & a few thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. In the wake of a departing system we will see clearing skies with seasonable temps. Sunshine & pleasantly warm conditions are expected this weekend.

Through the rest of tonight & Saturday

Expect tapering rain chances followed by clearing skies. Temps will fall into a mild range with wind speeds calming down a bit. Tomorrow will bring plenty of sunshine with in & out clouds. The Eastern side of the state will see a few lingering showers. Nevertheless, more sunshine is expected with temps on either side of 80 and winds remaining breezy Through the weekend.

7day planner

Going into the weekend expect continued tapering rain chances, followed by clearing skies. This weekend will bring plenty of sunshine with temperatures ranging through the 70s and on either side of 80. Sunday a weak front will move through the area with in & out clouds and little to no chance for rain. The beginning of the work week will bring continued sunshine with highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. During the latter half of the 7day planner, a warm front will move into the area with temps topping out well into the 80s and daily rain chances through the end of the work week.

Tonight, expect tapering rain chances with fair to partly cloudy skies and winds calming down a bit. Lows on either side of 50 with a NW wind, calming to 5-15mph.

Saturday, we will see clearing skies early with seasonable temps and winds becoming breezy again. Highs in the 70s with a few lower 80s possible and a NW wind 10-20mph G25.

Saturday night, fair to partly cloudy skies with a seasonable feel. Lows will be in the 50s with a few 40s and a light NW/West wind 2-10mph.

Sunday will bring mostly sunny skies with in & out light clouds and slightly warmer temps. Highs on either side of 80 with a NW wind 10-20mph G25. A few areas of light rain possible (but not likely) as a weak front rolls through the Dakotas.

Sunday night, we will see fair to partly cloudy skies and it will be a little cool for some. Lows on either side of 50 with a light wind out of the NW.