Good evening everyone! A wave of snow with some rain still mixing in continues to traverse portions of the central Dakotas (especially ND) as of 4:30pm CST. Lighter snow showers are preluding this area in northeastern ND with some light flurry activity getting its start in northwestern MN. This system will slowly push across the area the rest of today into tonight and lead to some snow accumulations in eastern ND and northern MN.
Stronger wind gusts will accompany this system as it works through the area this evening. Shown below are gusts at 6pm CST this evening which shows wind gusts upwards of 40-45mph at times in western SD. Elsewhere across the Dakotas will be breezy with lighter winds in MN. The winds won’t fade tonight but will lessen in intensity due to no incoming solar radiation increasing the temperature gradient across the area.
As mentioned from this morning, this will be a slow-moving system as it progresses eastward mainly across ND and clipping northern SD through tonight. Gradually these snows will lift into northwestern MN tonight, especially after midnight with snow coverage increasing across the northern two-thirds of MN late tonight into Saturday morning. The heaviest snow likely occurs into tonight, but light snows will linger even well after this simulation (through 12pm CST Saturday).
Here’s the general synopsis heading into Saturday: Two pieces of energy (the first shown below) will help to keep light snow activity around Saturday and even into Sunday for some areas in ND and northern MN.
We’ll need to watch for low visibilities at times especially in the wrap-around snow showers tomorrow. Regardless, strong winds are likely in the western Dakotas after the system passes this evening into tonight. Wind gusts approaching 35mph will be likely in these areas with breezy conditions expected even through western MN.
As stated previously, snow showers will persist in northern MN throughout the day Saturday with wrap around snow showers Saturday night and into Sunday for ND and possibly northeastern SD. The bulk of the snow shower activity will be found over northern MN by Saturday evening. Slowly-but-surely Saturday night into Sunday, the snow coverage will fade as the area becomes noticeably drier late Sunday and especially Sunday night. A few light snow showers will be possible in southern MN during this time. Simulated radar from 12pm CST Saturday through 12am CST Monday:
Here’s a look at total snowfall through Sunday: Snow accumulations are looking to stay on the lighter side with the best chances for accumulations being located in eastern ND and northern MN. Regardless, lower visibilities will be common with these snows along with slick roadways so definitely take it easy if traveling this weekend. Snow accumulations become less common the further south you head.
Taking another quick look past this weekend, we’re watching the chance for some scattered light snow showers to progress across the region Christmas Eve and early Christmas Day as a weak wave tracks through. Given the scattered nature of these snow showers, snow accumulations will remain relatively light with some areas likely not observing measurable snow.
There continues to be a strong signal for a potent storm system mid-late next week on the model guidance which suggests a possible round of heavy snowfall. Specifics are too early to pinpoint at this time due to the likelihood of continued fluctuations in track and intensity but something to iron out as the event nears.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great weekend!