Good morning everyone! Taking a look at current temperatures this morning (as of 9:20am CST), we are finding that it is about as cold as it was Saturday morning. However, some areas are even colder, including eastern ND and southeastern MN. Temperatures area-wide are well into the teens with many single digits showing up in ND into northern MN. Northeastern ND is receiving the brunt of the cold this morning where temperatures have fallen at or below 0ºF. As we progress through the remainder of the morning into the afternoon hours, these areas will warm but likely only into the 20s.
Here’s a look at today’s sky cover forecast: It will be a day full of sunshine for many areas across the region, especially the Dakotas into northern MN. Areas of clouds associated with the weak wave that traversed the region last night will remain across far eastern SD into southern MN today, but a mix of sun and clouds should still be anticipated. If you are looking for sunny skies, head west where you will find it over a majority of the western Dakotas.
Additional patchy fog risks (darker shadings) will be possible late tonight into Monday morning across isolated sections of SD and southeastern MN. Temperatures in these areas will be below freezing, so there is the risk for patchy freezing fog. This is not a substantial risk, as chances increase for fog south of the region, but something to note regardless. Any areas of fog present in the region Monday morning will erode as the morning progresses.
A shortwave trough (or disturbance) will be progressing across the southern portions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba today into tonight, swinging into northeastern ND and northern MN late tonight and through the day Monday. This feature will be very moisture-starved, so don’t expect any precipitation to be associated with this. However, areas of clouds will increase over these areas as the disturbance swings through, leading to less sunshine Monday morning.
Here’s a simulation of cloud cover across the region during the daytime hours Monday: Note the area of clouds progressing through eastern ND into northern MN. This is attached to the shortwave trough previously discussed. However, it will quickly swing through and some sunshine is expected during the late morning and afternoon hours. Areas impacted by low-lying fog with have to contend with that during the morning hours before sunshine reappears again in the afternoon. Another system to watch will begin to track into the western Dakotas Monday afternoon and out ahead of it will be areas of high-level clouds streaming into the area.
This upcoming disturbance Tuesday morning will lift into southwestern SD/northwestern ND around 8am CST Tuesday (time may fluctuate as event approaches) and progress through the Dakotas during the daytime hours. Overall, the system is appearing to stay weak at this time, but light snows are to be expected which could drop scattered amounts anywhere from 0.5-1″ of snow. A few isolated flurries/light snow showers may also develop in the southern third of MN Tuesday afternoon.
Total precipitation over the next 7 days: Overall, we are still thinking an inactive weather pattern continues through this timespan with minor precipitation chances expected. After the disturbance Tuesday, another weak system will lift through the region Wednesday night into Thursday. After this time, various model guidance suggests little in the way of activity across the region into early next weekend.
Here’s a look at temperatures over the next four days: High temperatures today will largely remain in the 20s across the eastern Dakotas into MN with some slightly warmer air working northward into southwestern ND and western SD where temperatures will climb into the 30s. Monday will feature an overall similar setup with 20s expected in northeastern ND into MN while 30s and even a few 40s will be possible in SD and the rest of ND. We’re in for another chilly night across the area tonight with the whole region dropping into the teens. Areas falling even further into the single digits can be expected. A little bit of moderation is likely Monday night, but low temperatures will still stay well into the teens in the eastern Dakotas into MN.
Here’s a look at winds over the next four days: Generally speaking, winds will remain on the lighter side due to high pressure.
Here’s a look at the city charts over the next 10 days for Fargo, Bismarck, Minneapolis and Sioux Falls:
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great rest of your weekend!