Minimums this morning ranged from the single digits east to 20s in the west.
That warmer air in western North Dakota will be pushing east today with highs in the 20s east and probably some 30s to lower 40s in the west. The slightly warmer temperatures today are associated with a push of warmer air ahead of an Arctic cold front that will move across the northern plains on Saturday.
The colder air that will move through tomorrow is still in central Saskatchewan and Alberta and will arrive quickly tomorrow morning.
High temperatures on Saturday will be recorded at Midnight with temperatures falling through the day. It appears that temperatures across northern North Dakota will be below zero by mid afternoon Saturday.
Behind the front will be some light snow. Accumulations look to be 1″ or less for most with areas with the exception of location along and west of the Missouri River where 1-2″ is more likely. While it is snowing it could get quite blustery as it appears the wind will be in the 20-35 mph range during this time frame.
The cold will last through about Thursday of next week. Another clipper system late on Monday into Tuesday but like everything else this winter, no major snows are foreseen.
Daryl Ritchison