398 FXUS63 KBIS 161354 AFDBISArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 854 AM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- On and off showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast through the remainder of the workweek. The highest chances (40 to 60 percent) are Thursday through Friday.
- Seasonable temperatures are expected this week, with warmer temperatures today and cooler temperatures to finish out the second half of the week.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 852 AM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
Limited updates needed this morning. Showers and thunderstorm chances look to be later this evening now, based on the latest CAMS. The latest observations were blended in.
UPDATE Issued at 636 AM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
Other than a few lingering returns in the northern James River Valley, the cluster of showers and thunderstorms from the main discussion has pretty much dissipated. Otherwise, a weak surface trough has produced a very isolated line of showers, or more so sprinkles for the most part, in northwestern ND. These will likely dissipate as the sun rises.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 302 AM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
A cluster of showers and thunderstorms, mainly over south central parts of the state, continues to gradually move northeastward early this morning. CAMs generally suggest they should dissipate before reaching the James River Valley. However, dewpoints and PWATs remain elevated, so wouldn`t be surprised if they don`t make it a bit further north and east than CAMs currently suggest. With a loss of effective shear and a decrease in elevated instability, any further strong storms seem unlikely.
Once these showers and thunderstorms dissipate, a mostly dry day is on tap for the forecast area, though the far southwest may see a few showers and thunderstorms later this afternoon. As upper low pressure begins to set-up over the Central Plains, shower and thunderstorm chances then return to most of southern ND tonight. Model agreement remains fairly high that this upper low will become quasi-stationary over the Central and then the Northern Plains to finish out the week. As a result, expect periodic shower and thunderstorm chances, especially Thursday and Friday, and especially for south central and southeastern portions of the state. With generally low instability progged, no particular day stands out as a severe weather threat at this time.
Seasonably warm temperatures are expected for today with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s. A cooling trend is then on track to finish out the workweek with highs mostly in the 60s to around 70 on Thursday and Friday. A slight warming trend is then favored this weekend and into early next week.
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.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 636 AM CDT Tue Sep 16 2025
VFR ceilings and visibility are expected to prevail overall through the period. However, shower and thunderstorm chances return to the far southwest this afternoon, and to all of southern ND tonight. Confidence is highest at KDIK, so used a PROB30 group to cover that possibility. Confidence is too low elsewhere to include in any other TAFs at this time.
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.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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UPDATE...Smith DISCUSSION...Telken AVIATION...Telken
NWS BIS Office Area Forecast Discussion