Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
213 FXUS63 KBIS 162124 AFDBIS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 324 PM CST Sun Nov 16 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Patchy fog lingering over parts of northwest North Dakota into this evening. This could be occasionally dense. - Low to medium precipitation chances (20 to 40 percent)over various parts of the area Monday evening, and Tuesday evening through Wednesday night. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 156 PM CST Sun Nov 16 2025 Current surface analysis places lee side trough to the east of the central Rockies, with high stretching from northern Saskatchewan southward into the Midwest. Upper level analysis places low over Nevada, while ridge stretches from the lee of the northern Rockies southeastward into southern plains. Over our area, story of the day has been persistant fog lingering over parts of northwest North Dakota, but over the past couple of hours notable improvement has occurred, though a few dense spots linger over parts of Divide, Williams and McKenzie Counties. For tonight, compact upper low over Nevada lifts over the Rockies along the Colorado/Wyoming border, while aforementioned lee trough pushes a bit east. This should keep a modest east/southeast wind going over our area tonight. Although this is not significant by any means, this may keep widespread dense fog from re-developing over the northwest. With that said, some patchy fog remains a concern so will keep the mention of that through the evening and re-evaluate. Otherwise, weather remains quiet. On Monday, upper low pushes east eventually sliding over Nebraska. This should be far enough south to keep most precipitation south of our border, but do have some low precipitation chances along our southern tier in case some makes its way a bit further to the north. If precipitation does develop, it should be mainly rain in the late afternoon/evening hours, though can not rule out a few flakes later in the evening. On Tuesday ridge passes over the region in the wake of the departing system while another compact low slides down along the west coast. This should keep conditions quiet through the day though a weak impulse sliding through brings a slight chance of light rain Tuesday night. Flow then ends up splitting with the aforementioned upper low, with a northern stream trough pushing into our area bringing low precipitation chances Wednesday night. NBM then suggests dry weather going into next weekend with west to northwest flow, but would not be surprised if a stray impulse pushing through the flow could lead to a little precipitation. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1117 AM CST Sun Nov 16 2025 Over far northwest North Dakota including the KXWA terminal, dense fog producing LIFR ceilings and visibility has been reluctant to dissipate, thus expect it to linger into the early afternoon, with improvement after 19Z. Conditions will then gradually improve becoming VFR by late afternoon. Further east over north central North Dakota into south central and parts of southeast North Dakota, lower clouds will linger through much of the afternoon, but overall look to hold just above MVFR levels, though localized spots of MVFR ceilings remain possible. Most locations are expected to be VFR tonight. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...JJS AVIATION...JJS