Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
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393 FXUS63 KBIS 020754 AFDBIS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 154 AM CST Mon Nov 2 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Rain will spread from southwest to northeast over North Dakota overnight, with rain continuing through Monday. There are high chances(over 80 percent) for one inch of rainfall or more generally along and south of Interstate 94. - Gusty northerly winds develop on Monday, possibly becoming strong over far southern parts of the area. - Near to above average temperatures and drier weather are favored later in the week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 154 AM CST Mon Nov 2 2026 Parts of far northern North Dakota continue to experience dense fog. The fog should lift once rain begins falling, but the rain is taking its time reaching the Canadian border. A Special Weather Statement has been issued to address this. A Wind Advisory has also been issued for far southwest and far south central North Dakota Monday morning through Monday evening. UPDATE Issued at 948 PM CST Sun Nov 1 2026 Areas of rain continue to push north and east through western and south central ND. Made some minor adjustments to pops based on latest observations. Added some areas of fog in the northwest and patchy fog elsewhere late evening into the early overnight hours, then patchy fog through Monday morning. Nudged temperatures up a bit overnight over central ND, given the southerly surface flow and extensive cloud cover. Overall, only minor changes needed to the going forecast. UPDATE Issued at 553 PM CST Sun Nov 1 2026 No significant updates other than making sure we had 100% sky cover through the day Monday. Widespread stratus and areas of fog will remain tonight with rain chances increasing from southwest to northeast. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 156 PM CST Sun Nov 1 2026 Current surface analysis places deepening low over Colorado into Wyoming, while tilted ridge remains orientated through the Great Lakes into Ontario/central Manitoba. Upper level analysis places deep trough approaching the western fringes of the Rockies, with a low remaining closed off over Nevada. Over our area, moist south/southeast flow continues to keep low cloud cover throughout the state while temperatures remain quite mild. For tonight, surface low will continue to deepen before ejecting out over Nebraska overnight, nudging into central South Dakota, as upper trough slides over the Rockies. Precipitation that is already starting to develop over western South Dakota nudging into southeast Montana will continue to push northeasterly and spread out in coverage. As we go through the night, rain showers will eventually push throughout the state. On Monday, low gradually lifts to the southeast crossing near the intersection of ND/SD/MN late afternoon into the early evening, while upper trough pushes easterly and starts to close off nearly stacking the system. Widespread rain continues through the day before starting to taper off over the west overnight as the low slides into Minnesota. Low then loiters over Minnesota for Tuesday. The overall track of the system is a bit slower and stretching a bit further west. Therefore, rainfall chances have broadened and increased. Latest NBM guidance is now giving about an 80 percent or greater chance of seeing one inch or more of rain along and south of Interstate 94, and a 60 percent or greater chance of seeing two inches or more along and southeast of a line from Jamestown to Wishek. Along with the precipitation, winds will be on the increase later Monday into Monday night as the low lifts on its way. Latest NBM continues to suggest the possibility of advisory criteria wind gusts (45 mph) over mainly the southern 1/3 of our area, but a look at forecast soundings continues to show question as to whether this could be realized given lack of mixing. Therefore, will hold off on any products for now and give it another look overnight. Quieter weather sets up over the area mid-week, though a few rain showers remain possible on Wednesday over our eastern locations given the loitering low over Minnesota. Mainly dry conditions then expected through he remainder of the week, with near to above average temperatures. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 948 PM CST Sun Nov 1 2026 A strong storm system currently over northeast Colorado will track northeast to west central Minnesota by 06 UTC Tuesday. Widespread low clouds and areas of fog will remain across the state with most areas seeing mainly IFR-LIFR ceilings and MVFR to IFR visibilities through the TAF period. Rain will move into southern and western ND tonight spreading northeast, and continuing through the TAF period. Rain will diminish over northwest ND Monday afternoon. Generally southeast to east winds to begin the TAF period 5 to 15 knots. Winds shift from southeast to east to northerly from west to east late tonight into Monday morning and increase to 15 to 25 mph. Monday, winds turn northerly 20 to 30 knots with gust of 35 kts (north) to 45 kts (south) by Monday afternoon. Winds diminish a little and shift more to the northwest, but it remains windy Monday evening, especially over central ND, while winds do begin to drop off in the far west. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 10 AM CST /9 AM MST/ this morning to midnight CST /11 PM MST/ tonight for NDZ040>044-061-062. && $$ UPDATE...Hollan DISCUSSION...JJS AVIATION...TWH