228 FXUS63 KBIS 260906 AFDBISArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 406 AM CDT Fri Sep 26 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Above average temperatures continue through the middle of next week, with mostly dry conditions expected through this weekend. Low chances of rain return by the middle of next week.
- Breezy and dry conditions today will lead to near critical fire weather conditions over parts of far southwestern North Dakota.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 406 AM CDT Fri Sep 26 2025
Surface low pressure over south central Canada will propagate from southwest to northeast today. Associated warm frontal boundary will pass through the forecast area this morning, along with a trailing cold frontal boundary not far behind. This will produce breezy conditions, especially in western ND this afternoon. A few models simulate isolated showers mainly over northern ND. However, based on how dry forecast soundings appear, and the isolated nature of these simulated returns, believe most anything that develops will either be virga or a few sprinkles, therefore left out mentionable PoPs for now. That said, it`s not impossible that a few more organized returns could develop and produce a few legitimate showers.
High temperatures today will remain above average (mid 70s to low 80s), especially in southern and north central parts of the state. With minimum relative humidity values dropping down to around 20 to 25 percent, breezy conditions, and fuels beginning to cure; a few hours of near-critical fire weather conditions are expected in the far southwest this afternoon. These conditions should be limited in duration due to temperatures in the southwest starting to cool by the mid-afternoon, and winds rapidly diminishing as the sun sets. Should smoke become thick enough, which is very uncertain, it too could help limit the duration a skosh by hindering temperatures a degree or two.
For Saturday, high pressure is progged to scoot across South Dakota. The associated tightening of the pressure gradient may produce breezy weeds once again in western and northern parts of the state. However, they should be weaker overall than this afternoon. Highs Saturday will be a bit cooler, albeit still slightly above average, and mostly in the 70s.
Beyond Saturday, expect a ridging pattern to prevail through the middle of next week, with the ridge amplifying over the Great Lakes Region Tuesday or Wednesday. This will maintain southerly to southwesterly flow over the Northern Plains through mid-week resulting in the continuation of mostly dry conditions and well above average temperatures. Or rather, highs mostly in the upper 70s to mid 80s through Wednesday. Despite the expectation of mostly dry conditions prevailing, embedded shortwaves along the western ridge could bring a few showers to the forecast area by the middle of the week.
One final note as alluded to while speaking of fire weather, is that Smoke models suggest low concentrations of near-surface smoke may pass through the state today with the aforementioned cold frontal boundary. Based on the progged low smoke concentrations; left out mentions for now. However, the HRRRSmoke is more bullish than RAP smoke and especially targets the far southwest. So wouldn`t be completely surprised if there isn`t some noticeable smoke near the surface when all is said and done.
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.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1243 AM CDT Fri Sep 26 2025
VFR ceilings and visibility will prevail, though breezy winds are also expected throughout much of the period. Initially this will be with a southerly component ahead of a warm frontal boundary. After which, a passing cold frontal boundary will cause a rapid transition to a westerly and finally a northwesterly direction. There could be a few isolated showers in the north with the passing cold frontal boundary. However, with very dry air in place, these would most likely be in the form of sprinkles or virga. A few hours of LLWS is possible in the northwest and then north central early Friday morning, including at the terminals of KXWA and KMOT.
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.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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DISCUSSION...Telken AVIATION...Telken
NWS BIS Office Area Forecast Discussion