419 FXUS63 KBIS 210537 AFDBISArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 1237 AM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Patchy to areas of fog tonight into Sunday morning.
- Temperatures warm back into the 70s and low 80s through the weekend, then remain mostly in the 70s next week.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 1237 AM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025
Quiet conditions persist. In regard to fog, models have backed off quite a bit overall, which includes unfavorable model forecast soundings that suggest little near-surface saturation, and breezy near-surface winds. So while fog may still develop across parts of southwestern/central ND, it will likely be low- lying and patchy in nature. The main exception is the northern James River Valley up through the Turtle Mountains, where soundings are more favorable to areas of fog developing.
UPDATE Issued at 945 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025
Conditions remain the same across western and central North Dakota at the time of this update, with mid level clouds lingering across the eastern half of state, including the James River Valley. Overall, the forecast remains on track.
UPDATE Issued at 620 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025
Quiet weather continues at the time of this early evening update. Skies remain mostly clear west to cloudy east as mid level clouds wrap around a upper level low analyzed over Minnesota. A small band of weak reflectivities is found over northcentral North Dakota where mid level lapse rates are a little steep, though dry near surface conditions are expected to limit any precipitation to virga at this time. Have made some slight adjustments to the sky grids this evening and have blended in the latest model guidance into the potential fog across southern North Dakota tonight, but otherwise the forecast remains on track.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 225 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025
Currently the stacked low that gave North Dakota all the rain this week, is now sitting over southwestern Wisconsin. The other low that was mentioned yesterday is sitting over the North Dakota and Canadian Border. This low however does not translate to the surface. At the surface, a high pressure sits in that same spot. At the mid-levels the western CONUS is a weak ridge the extends to western North Dakota where the backside of that upper level low sits. Clouds across the state continue to erode as the surface low moves east away from the Northern Plains, and the surface high exist in the state.
Tonight, with that surface high, calm winds and clear skis will lead to another morning of patchy to areas of fog. Sunday will be the warmest day of the forecast period as a shortwave ridge will be influencing the state. The far west will likely see highs in the low 80s. Away from the thermal ridge, in the east, temperatures will warm into the low 70s.
Monday another low could influence North Dakota as it dives south from Canada into Montana. The CAMs and the NBM have been taming down the rain chances however the last 36 hours. The actual low itself will miss the Dakotas, but far southwest North Dakota will be in positive vorticity for a few hours, so a few showers could form. The rest of the week looks to be in a Omega blocking pattern that slowly moves east. So temperatures will remain in the 70s without any rain chances.
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.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1237 AM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025
Models have backed off on potential fog development for tonight into Sunday morning for most of western through central ND. The exception is the northern James River Valley through the Turtle Mountains where conditions remain more favorable. Patchy fog development (likely low-level field fog) is still possible elsewhere, but confidence in location or timing impacting any terminals is low. Therefore, used VCFG at KJMS, where confidence is a bit higher, but left fog mentions out of all other TAFs at this time. Other than any fog development, VFR ceilings and visibility are expected through the period.
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.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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UPDATE...Telken DISCUSSION...Smith AVIATION...Telken
NWS BIS Office Area Forecast Discussion