490 FXUS63 KBIS 081438 AFDBISArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 938 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Areas of smoke return to parts of western and south central North Dakota today into this evening.
- Warm and mainly dry to start the week.
- Low to medium chances for showers and thunderstorms return for the second half of the week through the upcoming weekend.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 932 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
A shortwave continues to traverse across the state this morning which has lead to showers and even a few rumbles of thunder in the southwest. A very dry layer at the surface will likely evaporate majority of rain from showers before it reaches the surface. Quiet weather continues across the state this morning, thus no updates are needed at this time.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 233 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
Current surface analysis places high over the Midwest into the Great Lakes region while modest low stretches from the Canadian Prairies into the Northern Plains. Upper level analysis places broad ridge over much of the western CONUS, with low noted off the Pacific Coast. Over our area, a few light showers noted over eastern Montana nudging into southwest North Dakota affiliated with a weak short wave moving through the ridge, but these continue to be very light and have been dissipating over the past few hours.
With the exception of a few light morning rain showers over the southwest, a quiet day is expected with upper level ridge over region. With warmer air moving in, expect high temperatures to climb into the upper 70s to mid 80s over most locations, which is about 5 to 10 degrees above average. Some smoke tries to make its return to western and south central North Dakota as the aforementioned modest surface low/front passes over our area.
On Tuesday, ridge amplifies over the region in response to the aforementioned Pacific low moving onshore. With that said, a modest wave drops down the front of the ridge which looks to cool temperatures a few degrees, mainly over the west. Any precpitation from this wave should remain well to our east/southeast.
Wednesday will be a day of transition as ridge gets pushed to the east gradually passing over our area as western CONUS low meanders east a bit but broadens out. Various short waves ejecting from the low will lift up the backside of the ridge, bringing chances for precipitation to our area overnight.
Thursday through Sunday active pattern remains in place as initial upper low meanders its way towards the northeast before opening up as it passes just to our west, while in the meantime gets replaced by another western CONUS upper low. This will lead to ongoing low to medium chances (mainly medium, especially west) for showers and some thunderstorms.
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.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 642 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
Areas of smoke may move into southwest and parts of south central North Dakota today into this evening, which could bring reduced visibility. Over southwest North Dakota, isolated thunderstorms are possible this morning, though ceilings should remain rather high. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail.
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.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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UPDATE...Johnson DISCUSSION...JJS AVIATION...JJS
NWS BIS Office Area Forecast Discussion