NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) – Very warm temperatures are expected over the weekend. A heat advisory is in effect for Dickey and Lamoure counties today from 1 to 8 p.m. Scattered severe storms are possible tonight and overnight, with tennis ball-sized hail and winds up to 70 mph being the main hazards. These storms could return late Sunday afternoon and evening, this time with hail the size of golf balls and similar winds.
The scattered storms have now moved out of the vicinity of Rugby, so the chance of rain has decreased. There is a low surface in the central part of the state that affects the movement of clouds. There are still a few storms lingering north of Minot Air Force Base this morning with some strong gusts being recorded. When these storms subside, considerable winds are still possible.
Weather patterns are affected by several short waves moving through the area. The strongest storms moved across northern North Dakota, producing storms primarily along and north of Highway 2. Another wave is producing isolated storms in the South Central, with less severe hail and frequent lightning.
Later today, high pressure will keep things dry for much of the afternoon. Moisture will increase, causing dew points to be in the upper 60s to lower 70s. High temperatures range from the 80s in the Northwest to the 90s in the James Valley. A heat warning is in effect for eastern Lamoure and Dickey counties as temperatures reach triple digits.
Severe weather may return tonight into the night as the next wave approaches. . These storms should clear up early Sunday morning.
Sunday will start off mostly dry, but another round of severe storms is possible later in the afternoon and evening. The best chance for severe weather is along and east of a line from the northwest corner of the state east of Bismarck all the way to the South Dakota border. Sunday will also be hot and humid, with temperatures in the 80s at Turtle Mountain and 90s in the Southwest.
Most of the precipitation will dissipate on Monday, but some lingering showers or storms are possible in the Northeast. Temperatures will drop slightly, with highs reaching the mid-70s at Turtle Mountain and dropping into the mid-80s in the Southwest. These cooler temperatures will continue into the midweek before warming back into the upper 80s to lower 90s this weekend and next weekend.
