For the time of year, it has certainly not been all that cold, granted on both December 27 and December 28 some NDAWN (North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network) stations did record minimums around -20° F, but of course, by North Dakota standards that is not unusual this time of year. But it clearly has… Read more 12/30/15: Back to Warmth… Then cold.
Month: December 2015
Going Negative: No Records
Since records began on January 1, 1881, the official recording site in Fargo Moorhead has always recorded at least one negative low temperature during the cold season before the New Year began. Considering that the average date for the first negative temperature is November 28, that may be of no surprise, yet, with a highly… Read more Going Negative: No Records
12/28/15: Living on the Edge
A significant snow storm is projected for locations southeast of North Dakota in the next couple of days. A Winter Storm Warning has been posted for locations from near Sioux Falls, South Dakota through the Twin Cities and points south and east of that line. Five to ten inches of snow will likely occur for… Read more 12/28/15: Living on the Edge
12/23/15: Holiday Snow
A quick post today before I take a few days off. The next threat of snow still appears to be on Saturday (December 26), but with the main push of snow through South Dakota and southern Minnesota. Although some snow is expected in North Dakota, as of this writing, the amounts look pretty light, plus… Read more 12/23/15: Holiday Snow
12/22/15: Northern Snow
A low pressure center currently in southeastern Montana will lift to the northeast today and track across North Dakota. Ahead of the low the wind has picked up out of the southeast and has caused drifting snow in open areas creating the usual slick spots on area roads. Here is a view of roughly what… Read more 12/22/15: Northern Snow
The Winter Solstice
Today marks the Winter Solstice. At 10:49 PM CST the sun will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn which is approximately 23.5° south of the equator. That means the sun angle in North Dakota will vary from from 20.5° above the horizon at solar noon today to just 17.5° along the Canadian border. It… Read more The Winter Solstice
12/21/15: Northern Snow
A small but intense area of low pressure is expected to move across North Dakota on Tuesday. This should bring several inches of snow across portions of northern North Dakota into northwestern Minnesota. The low pressure center that will impact this area is currently in the Pacific northwest and will move across the Rocky Mountains today… Read more 12/21/15: Northern Snow
12/15/15: Snow
Snow is still expected across much of North Dakota later today into Wednesday. The heaviest amounts will be in the eastern portion of the state. Amounts look to be mostly in the three to six range with the typical localized exceptions on either side of those totals. Most locations in eastern North Dakota will record… Read more 12/15/15: Snow
12/14/15: Snow a Comin’
After being away for a while, finally, I’m back in the office for a weather update. After a very mild first one-half of December, colder air will be arriving this week, especially after some the expected midweek snow leaves the area white once again. This morning there is a strong area of low pressure in… Read more 12/14/15: Snow a Comin’
November 2015 Summary
Precipitation: November 2015 was a dry month in central and western North Dakota with some locations recording less than 5 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 1). In eastern North Dakota a couple of rain systems, one on November 6 and the other on November 15-16 pushed rain totals above average for parts of the central… Read more November 2015 Summary