


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
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652 FXUS63 KBIS 120503 AFDBIS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 1203 AM CDT Sat Jul 12 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... -Areas of smoke return to much of the area this evening, and will gradually depart west to east Saturday. -Dry with a warming trend through the weekend. -Medium chances (30 to 60 percent) for showers and thunderstorms return to the forecast Monday night. -Notably cooler mid-week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 1148 PM CDT Fri Jul 11 2025 Other than some reduced visibilities due to smoke, quiet weather is expected through the overnight hours. No changes to the going forecast. UPDATE Issued at 949 PM CDT Fri Jul 11 2025 There are no weather updates with this recent product issuance. Smoke continues to filter south-southeast across the region. Will increase the aerial coverage and messaging in the forecast. UPDATE Issued at 617 PM CDT Fri Jul 11 2025 Main edit to the forecast was to refine POPs a bit, removing southeast where nothing is occurring, and tweaking north central/northeast where isolated convection continues near the upper low. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 244 PM CDT Fri Jul 11 2025 Current surface analysis places trough from western Ontario into the upper midwest and central plains, while high remains over central into eastern Montana. Upper level analysis places low along the southern Manitoba/Saskatchewan border with cyclonic flow stretching into our area. This is resulting in some isolated to scattered rain showers, mainly along our northern tier. Otherwise, smoke is starting to make its way into northwest North Dakota again as seen on latest satellite depiction, and noted on upstream observations. For the rest of this afternoon into tonight, isolated to scattered showers with possibly a few thunderstorms will continue over northwest into north central North Dakota before diminishing towards evening. Otherwise, the main concern switches to smoke. Latest guidance brings the smoke into much of western and central North Dakota through this evening into the overnight hours, with the possible exception of the far southwest. On Saturday, the day starts out with areas of smoke lingering in the early morning, but expect this to gradually clear out from west to east with increasing westerly winds. Broad upper ridge over the western CONUS should keep conditions dry for us, with temperatures warming into the 80s. Dry conditions continue into Sunday as ridge remains the dominating feature in the area. Again, widespread 80s with possibly a few 90s in the southwest expected. Changes come Monday as ridge starts to break down and a variety of upper waves make their way towards the area. The first round of waves will pass over northern portions of the area during the day bringing chances for showers and storms, with temperatures cooling. Over the south, warm temperatures remain through the day. Changes come Monday night as the flow dips southward, resulting moderate chances (30-60 percent) for showers and thunderstorms. Latest CSU machine learning guidance keeps a modest severe threat over the south, but will see how this evolves over time. Chances for precipitation continue into Tuesday with notably cooler temperatures. Cooling trend continues into Wednesday with chances for precipitation continuing. Temperatures then may recover some to end the week. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1148 PM CDT Fri Jul 11 2025 Areas of smoke have returned tonight to western and central North Dakota. Visibilities are currently in the 2-4SM range over western and north central ND, with no current reductions south central into the JRV. This will change as smoke spreads into central ND overnight. Smoke is expected to exit from west to east during the day. At this time will drop vsbys in smoke down to MVFR category. Light northwest to west surface flow overnight then mostly southwest to west on Saturday. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ UPDATE...TWH DISCUSSION...JJS AVIATION...TWH