Dakota Storm Center: Friday's Weather Blog

9:00pm

Overview

There is a broad ridge of high pressure that is anchored over the upper- Midwest & Great Lakes region. A low pressure system over Canada has a cold front stretched south into the Southeast US & Southern Plains. A second low is over the Northern Plains with a stationary front stretched North to South along the lee side of the Rockies. Another stationary front (over the Atlantic coastline) is bringing a risk for severe weather to some areas.

Discussion

Today, after rain moved through the area, skies cleared out and temps stayed below average for this time of the year. It quickly became very pleasant (and even a little cool) across the state with mostly sunny skies. It feels pleasant this evening and skies are mostly clear to partly cloudy with light winds and scattered rain just outside of our area. Temps topped out in the 60s & 70s across most of North Dakota with a few cities in the lower 80s on the western side of our area. Bismarck & Mandan got to 71 with a low of 44. In Dickinson, it was a little warmer with a high of 76 and a low of 47.

There is a low pressure system over Central & East Montana with a stationary front that is slowly moving through the Dakotas. This system will move back & forth across our state during the next couple of days, until a slightly stronger cold front moves through and pushes this first system out of the Dakotas. Some of the thunderstorms that move through our area may become strong Saturday night in Western & Northwest ND. There will be another round of thunderstorm development Sunday afternoon through early Monday morning.

Thunderstorms will have a low risk for severe weather Saturday night

As this system affects our area, there will be a Marginal (low) risk for severe weather with some of these storms. Saturday evening until just after midnight, a low risk for severe will be along the western edge of our area and into Northwest ND. Sunday afternoon into Sunday night, the low risk for severe weather will be in Western ND and parts of Central ND as a final cold front moves though the state. In the wake of Sunday night/Monday morning's cold front, expect some clearing with more sunshine and highs on either side of 90 for the beginning of the work week.

A line of scattered storms with a low risk for severe weather Sunday night (4km_RPM)

Headlines include a slightly active weather pattern. Clouds will come and go through the weekend with scattered showers & thunderstorms. Temperatures will be in a pleasant range before warming into the 80s Saturday & Sunday. By the beginning of the work week, it will be near 90.

Through the rest of tonight & This Weekend

Tonight we will see fair to partly cloudy skies across most of Western & Central ND. Around Midnight, a few showers & thunderstorms will be possible in North- Central ND and parts of Eastern ND. Through the weekend, expect in & out clouds with off/on rain chances. The chance for showers & thunderstorms will become good, both Saturday night & Sunday afternoon-night. Both rounds of thunderstorm activity will bring low risks for severe weather.

7day planner

Showers & thunderstorms have been moving through the state today and most us have gotten wet. This line of rain is starting to fizzle out and thunderstorms are dissipating. Hour by hour we will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies across the area. During the early morning hours, showers & thunderstorms will affect North Central & Northeast ND. Scattered rain will continue through the weekend as daytime highs climb through the 80s. In the wake of a front Sunday night/Monday morning, we will not see cooler temps. In fact, it will be hot Monday & Tuesday with highs on either side of 90. Daily rain chances will continue though the work week with highs in the 80s before another cold front at the end of next week.

Tonight, we will see in & out clouds with scattered showers & a few thunderstorms as a front slowly moves across the Dakotas. Lows will be in the 50s with a SE/South wind 2-12mph. 30% chance for rain.

Saturday, mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with in & out cloud cover. Temperatures will be slightly warmer and seasonable with off/on rain chances. Highs in the 80s with a few 70s and a South wind 5-15mph G20. 30% chance for rain.

Saturday night will bring continued, scattered rain chances with partly cloudy skies, in & out clouds and a mild feel. Lows on either side of 60 with a South wind 2-12mph G20.

Sunday will start off with plenty of sunshine, followed by gradually increasing clouds and a chance for showers & thunderstorms, late. Highs in the 80s with a South wind 10-20mph G30. 40% chance for rain.

Sunday night, partly to mostly cloudy skies with a good chance for scattered rain and hit & miss storms. There will be a low risk for severe weather as a weak cold front moves through the state. Lows in the 60s with a South/North wind 5-15mph G20 and calming. 50% chance for rain.