There is a strong area of low pressure near Kansas City this morning projected to move to the east/northeast toward Chicago in the next 24 hours. There is a slow moving cold front / inverted trough to the north of the low that is separating very mild December air that has been over North Dakota the past few days from more average temperatures for the time of year.
The temperatures this morning have already fallen into the 10s and 20s. The temperatures (Maximums of the day) were much warmer near or slightly after midnight.
With temperatures now well below freezing at the surface with temperatures aloft still either above freezing or supersaturation taking place, there is still drizzle in the air. That liquid coming from the sky is of course freezing on contact with the surface, meaning freezing drizzle and icy roads and sidewalks are a problem this morning.
The precipitation in North Dakota into northwestern Minnesota looks to be mainly a morning event with the exception of locations near the ND / SD border. The rain has already turned to snow in much of South Dakota and that in turn will be moving easterly into Minnesota.
As the rain turns to snow, plus, some freezing rain, there are multiple advisories in effect in the upper Midwest today.
Once the storm passing through the region today, the rest of the week is looking dry, just much colder, yet still near seasonal levels for the time of year. Next threat of precipitation may hold off until early next week.
Daryl Ritchison