textproduct: Bismarck

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures trend warmer Friday and through the weekend. Near normal temperatures are forecast Friday, followed by above normal temperatures this weekend.

- Widespread 40 to 60 percent precipitation chances later this weekend and through early next week. Initially as rain, with a few thunderstorms Saturday night and Sunday, then potentially mixing with snow Monday night across the north.

- Active weather pattern continues next week, along with near normal temperatures (highs in the 40s and 50s and lows in the 30s).

UPDATE

Issued at 1240 AM CDT Fri Apr 10 2026

Little updates needed at this time. Mid level clouds continue to push through providing some weak returns on radar. These are likely not reaching the ground given dry air in place. Thus the overall forecast remains on track.

UPDATE Issued at 1004 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Quiet weather continues, forecast remains on track.

UPDATE Issued at 705 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Going forecast remains in good shape with only a few possible very light rain showers passing through our north.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 250 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Currently, northwest flow aloft with a decent mid level S/WV pushing east-southeast across the region. Weak surface high pressure over the Northern Plains, with a cooler airmass persisting, resulting in high temperatures mainly in the 30s. The above mentioned wave results in some light snow showers across south central and southeastern ND, with subsidence in its wake resulting in clearing skies west. These snow showers should quickly push off to the east over the next few hours this afternoon.

Another embedded wave aided by some upper level jet support will bring a chance for some light showers to northwest and north central North Dakota later this afternoon and evening, otherwise expect the sky to trend mostly clear through the overnight with lows dropping down into the 20s.

Broad upper level ridge building into the Great Plains is still expected to bring a nice warming trend to the Dakotas this weekend, with widespread highs in the mid 50s to mid 70s both Saturday and Sunday. While some fire weather concerns are possible tomorrow (Friday), we expect increasing moisture this weekend to offset any elevated fire weather concerns despite winds forecast to be on the breezy side. Southwest flow aloft develops Sat night and continues on Sunday as the ridge continues east. Multiple embedded waves in this flow will bring increased chances for showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms to the region Sat night through Sunday. The threat for any stronger convection will remain to our east.

Split flow for early next week, with a well defined northern stream wave pushing east across the Dakotas Monday-Tuesday, maintaining decent chances for moisture. Colder air mixing down from Canada will result in a possible rain/snow mix over northern areas of the state Monday night/Tues AM, though not expecting any impactful winter weather. Much cooler as well Monday (20-25 degrees cooler than Sunday) in the wake of a cold FROPA Sun/Sun night.

We remain in an active flow pattern through the remainder of next week, favoring precipitation chances pretty much each day and temperatures remaining near normal.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1240 AM CDT Fri Apr 10 2026

A broken layer of clouds will push across the region tonight, perhaps bringing some low VFR ceilings. Friday then sees mainly clear skies and VFR conditions with light winds becoming a breezy southerly wind.

BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.