113
FXUS63 KBIS 062049
AFDBIS

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
249 PM CST Sat Dec 6 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Accumulating snow will contiune falling across most of western
  and central North Dakota through this evening. 1 to 4 inches
  are expected with locally up to 6 inches possible in heavy
  snow bands.

- Another area of light snow is expected to cross the state from
  west to east on Sunday, with snow accumulations from a trace
  to near 2 inches.

- A more impactful system is forecast Monday night through
  Tuesday night, which may bring a period of rain and freezing
  rain, accumulating snow (north and east), and very strong
  winds to parts of western and central North Dakota.

- Below average temperatures this weekend, above average for
  most on Monday and Tuesday, then below average favored for
  the rest of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 245 PM CST Sat Dec 6 2025

Currently a low pressure system in Nebraska is impacting the
Northern Plains with snow. In southern Canada, a high pressure
system is starting to impact far northern North Dakota. Heavy
snow was falling across western North Dakota when a
frontogenesis band set up this morning. 7 inches of snow was
reported in Center this afternoon where the band stayed for
several hours! That heavy snow band has been recently impacting
the south central. Most of the band moved through the north
side of Bismarck and dumped more snow there then where we
measure snow at the south side of the city. The Winter Weather
Advisory remains in effect through this evening or until
canceled. The frontogenesis band has now moved near the South
Dakota border and should continue moving south. Skies are
breaking in the north and west with the higher pressure moving
in. The snow should fully move out by 8pm CT.

Tonight very cold air will move in with northwest flow and the
surface high pressure. Lows will drop to 15 below zero in the
north and near zero in the south. Wind Chills will be around 25
below. Sunday the train of snow systems will continue with
another low moving in and pushing the high pressure out. There
is forecast to be less QPF with this Northern Rockies low,
making snow amounts between a trace and 2 inches.

Monday much warmer air moves in as the cold air moves east.
Highs are expected to be in the 30s and near 40 in the south.
Monday night a much more dynamic Alberta Clipper moves in. We
will still be in the northwest flow, so warmer air will get
wrapped into the system. This means in the warm sector of the
system mainly rain will fall, this looks to be most of western
and southern ND. There will then be a transition zone somewhere
in central ND where freezing rain could fall with the warmer
temperatures aloft, but cooler surface temps. As of now, most of
the snow accumulation will be in the northern tier of counties,
the James River Valley, and Devils Lake basin. Northeast ND will
see much more snow. A very tight pressure gradient in the
surface low will create very strong winds in western and
southern ND. 850mb winds are forecast to be near 65kts with a
high chance of mixing down to the surface. This will likely
require a High Wind Warning, because it will be in an area of
rain not snow.

Wednesday yet another Northern Rockies low will form and impact
the Northern Plains. Another trace to 3 inches could be
possible and likely another frontogenesis setup. Temperatures
will drastically drop on the backside. There are model hints of
a very strong push of Arctic air. NBM forecast highs are in the
single digits above zero only by next weekend. Lows look to be
below zero in the entire CWA.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1220 PM CST Sat Dec 6 2025

Mostly MVFR CIGS with IFR VIS in the falling snow. Heavy snow is
occurring in western and southern North Dakota. Snow will
continue falling through the evening, before ending around or
after sunset. Winds will remain northeasterly and calm after
sunset.

&&

.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 8 PM CST /7 PM MST/ this evening
for NDZ017>020-031>036-040>047-050.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Smith
AVIATION...Smith