Good afternoon everyone! Most of the region is dry currently with the exception being a few light snow showers lingering on the back-side of our storm system in northeastern MN and light mixed activity working into southwestern SD. The light snow showers in northeastern MN will exit tonight while mixed activity associated with our new disturbance will work into the southern portions of the region. Tomorrow morning will be another cold one across the region with temperatures dipping below freezing for most. Freeze Warnings have been hoisted in southeastern SD and southern MN where the season’s first freeze has not yet occurred, but is likely tomorrow morning.
It is important to continue noting the risk for freezing fog (visibility shown in the left image) in the red circled area Friday morning given the heavy snowpack cooling the surface layer and leaving an inversion just above the surface. The temperatures Friday morning (second image) depict this nicely, especially in southeastern ND into western MN where temperatures will likely drop into the 20s. This is something to consider when planning operations Friday or if traveling.
Our new disturbance lifts further into SD overnight bringing a mixed bag of precipitation, including rain and snow. This precipitation will be quite light, so we aren’t expecting much in the way of any accumulations (maybe up to 0.1″). Far southwestern ND may get clipped by this mixed bag tonight as well before exiting by 7am CDT Friday. This wave will also clip the very far southern portions of MN, dropping southeastward and exiting most of the area by 1pm CDT Friday.
Simulated radar from 1pm CDT Friday through 10pm CDT Saturday: Another branch of upper-level energy will follow in behind tonight’s wave, impacting ND with light rain chances Friday afternoon into the nighttime hours and eventually northern MN Friday night into Saturday. A transition to light snow is possible beginning Saturday morning in portions of ND and then northern MN late Saturday. However, this precipitation will stay light. Points further south in SD and southern MN will begin to work in very light shower/drizzle activity during the day Saturday, but with plenty of dry air around in the mid-levels it may have a hard time reaching the ground. A few snowflakes are possible in the higher elevations of SD during this time.
Here’s a look at total precipitation through Saturday: Precipitation amounts will be quite light with around 0.1-0.2″ likely in northern MN and northeastern ND. Up to 0.1″ of liquid is possible elsewhere, but not as likely in the central portions of the area.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great evening!