Good morning everyone! There are a few areas to watch this morning (as of 9:40am CST) for light snow showers: One is in southwestern SD (gradually transitioning to a mixed bag of precipitation), another is a stripe of snow working through portions of southern ND and the other is wrap-around snow showers progressing through the northeast sections of MN.
As we progress through the day, a significant winter storm will lift out of the Rockies and clip the southwest/southern portions of SD that will linger well into the nighttime hours. In response to accumulating snows, Winter Storm Warnings have been hoisted by the National Weather Service for the Blackhills of SD, effective until 4am EST Sunday. Winter Weather Advisories are also in effect for additional portions of southwestern SD through 4am EST Sunday.
Simulated radar through 6am CST Sunday: The weak wave of mixed precipitation in southwestern SD will move very slowly through the duration of the day while the stripe of snow working southward across southern ND gradually weakens by mid-afternoon. Wrap-around snow showers in northeastern MN slowly push eastward with the bulk of the activity by 7pm CST this evening. By 7pm CST, snow coverage will have increased across southwestern/far southern SD that eventually lifts out of the area to the southeast by 3am CST tonight. Gusty winds will accompany these snows, especially in the Blackhills where gusts upwards of 35mph at times will lead to blowing and drifting snow. Reduced visibilities coupled with snow covered roadways will lead to hazardous travel conditions. By the end of this loop (6am CST Sunday), the storm system will be impacting the Central Plains while only very light flurry activity will remain elsewhere.
Total snowfall through 6am CST Sunday: The best chance for accumulating snows will come across southwestern SD where 1-3″ of snow is likely with localized 4″ possible in spots. Given the higher elevation of the Blackhills, snow will fall more readily and result in 4-8″ of snow. Additional pockets of snow are depicted below. If you are traveling, definitely be mindful of the weather, especially in the circled areas below as slick spots and reduced visibilities will be likely.
A weaker wave of energy will dive southeastward across ND late Sunday afternoon and evening, providing scattered, light snow chances to the state. This weak disturbance will continue in a southeast trajectory Sunday night, bringing additional light snow chances to SD. During this timeframe, however, the coverage in snows will be dwindling with likely flurry activity remaining as it works into southeastern SD. As we progress into Monday morning, light flurry activity will be possible in western ND and far northeastern MN. The simulated radar (second graphic) runs from 6am CST Sunday through 12pm CST Monday.
Total snowfall with this weak disturbance will be quite minimal with at most a light coating of snow expected. Light flurry activity in far northeastern MN could also lead to a very light coating of snow before all is set and done. Total snowfall Sunday afternoon through Monday morning:
Total precipitation through the next 7 days: A few weaker disturbances will lift into the Northern Plains through the upcoming work week, but will likely not amount to much liquid-wise. The heaviest precipitation amounts through this timespan will be in southwestern SD given the storm system clipping the area through tonight. 0.5″+ of liquid is possible in this area before the system moves out tonight.
Here’s a look at temperatures over the next four days: Most will remain at or below freezing for highs today with the exception being a sliver in southeastern SD that can work in temperatures above freezing. An additional blast of colder air will work in Sunday which will allow the vast majority to stay in the 20s for highs. Some locations in eastern ND and northern MN may not climb above 20ºF. Lows tonight will range from the upper single digits in northwestern MN to the mid 20s in southern SD. That colder blast of air will allow temperatures to dip will into teens and single digits Sunday night across the eastern two-thirds of ND, eastern SD and into MN. Some pockets in northeastern ND will fall into the negatives.
Here’s a look at wind gusts over the next four days: In general, winds will remain relatively light as the bulk the more potent storm system stays just south of the area.
Here’s a look at the high/low temperature charts for Bismarck, Fargo, Sioux Falls and Minneapolis:
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great weekend!