Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
Issued by NWS Bismarck, ND
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962 FXUS63 KBIS 140255 AFDBIS Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 955 PM CDT Sun Sep 13 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - High chances for rain showers (70-100%) late tonight into Monday. Greatest chances over central and eastern North Dakota. - Becoming windy tonight, with the strongest winds expected on Monday before diminishing Monday night. Gusts around 50 to 60 mph possible over western North Dakota. Wind Advisory in effect for most of the area on Monday. - Occasional rain shower chances mid to late week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 955 PM CDT Sun Sep 13 2026 Quiet weather persists at the time of this mid to late evening update. The strongest winds remain relegated to the far southwest at this time, with gusts up to around 35 MPH observed at Hettinger. Across the northwest, weak radar returns have begun to cross over from northeastern Montana. Saturation profiles across this area indicate that the overall potential for precpitation reaching the ground is very limited (less than 10 percent), as conditions above the surface remain very dry. Overall, the forecast remains in good shape at this time, with no adjustments required at this time. UPDATE Issued at 610 PM CDT Sun Sep 13 2026 Gusty southeast winds, sustained around 25 MPH and gusting as high as 35 MPH, have begun to develop over far southwestern North Dakota at the time of this early evening update. These winds will spread across much of western and central North Dakota overnight as the pressure gradient between the broad high pressure to our east and the approaching low center to our southwest slides across the forecast area. Otherwise, generally quiet weather is found across the forecast area at this time. No major adjustments to the forecast were performed with this update, as it remains broadly on track at this time. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 108 PM CDT Sun Sep 13 2026 Latest water vapor imagery shows a ridge on the east side of the Rockies and moving east into the Northern Great Plains. This will keep much of the area under quiet and pleasant conditions. A change in weather will occur later tonight. A low pressure center, currently located over southeastern Washington, will bring high chances for rain showers and increase winds. Rain: The latest 12Z model convective allowing models have rain starting as early as 1 AM MDT / 2 AM CDT, from the southwest and expanding northeast through the rest of the morning. 12Z HREF has over 75% chances for greater than half inch for the event from Highway 52 and northeast. Chances for a quarter of an inch or greater is 50% or higher from the Bismarck to Williston and northeast. The southwest corner of the state has lowest chances to receive anything above a tenth of inch, but a few model members hint at a rumble or two which can add a little more rain accumulation. Rain chances will diminish by the midday to early afternoon, clearing from west to east. Winds: At first, winds will predominately be from the southeast today (in the southwest) and widespread tonight with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph; the strongest winds will be in the southwest portion of the state. As the low pressure center gets closer, the pressure gradient will increase across much of the state and switching the wind direction from the southeast to more westerly to northwesterly. Winds will gust high as 50 to 60 mph by the afternoon. As result, there is a Wind Advisory in effect starting at 12 PM CDT /11 AM MDT for the western half of the area. The central and east will start 3 PM CDT. Winds will start to relax by late Monday night. Beyond Monday: Models show several weather disturbances passing over the area, bringing chances for rain showers. The synoptic pattern will bring a slight warming due to minor ridging. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 955 PM CDT Sun Sep 13 2026 VFR ceilings and visibility is found at all terminals to begun the 00Z TAF period. Early tonight, likely showers and some isolated thunder will begin to increase from west to east through much of Monday. MVFR to IFR ceilings and some MVFR visibilities are expected to develop when and where showers are most persistant, mostly during Monday morning. Showers are then expected to diminish through the early afternoon, with ceilings improving fairly rapidly as showers cease. Gusty southeast winds, with speeds up to 25 knots and gusts up to 35 knots over southwestern North Dakota will spread across much of the forecast area overnight, before turning to the west to northwest Monday afternoon and becoming strong with sustained speeds up to 35 knots and gusts up to 45 knots over portions of western North Dakota. LLWS will be possible over north central North Dakota early tonight through early Monday morning, mainly at KMOT ahead of the strong winds spreading from the southwest. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ Monday to midnight CDT /11 PM MDT/ Monday night for NDZ001>003-009-010-017>020- 031>033-040>044-055>062. Wind Advisory from 3 PM Monday to 4 AM CDT Tuesday for NDZ004- 005-012-013-022-023-025-035>037-046>048. && $$ UPDATE...Adam DISCUSSION...KJS AVIATION...Adam