Bismarck, ND 58505 Weather

Key Messages

- Above normal temperatures through the work week, with near record highs possible Thursday and Friday.

- Much cooler temperatures this weekend and into early next week.

- Dry conditions through Thursday, then low to medium chances for showers Friday into Saturday.

- Breezy to windy Friday and Saturday.

Discussion

Issued at 326 AM CDT Wed Oct 21 2026

Currently, mostly clear skies across western and central North Dakota. A weak, dry cold front has pushed through all but the far southeast portion of the state. Temperatures behind the front were in the lower 30s to mid 40s. A few areas of patchy fog were noted where temperature/dew point spread were close.

For today, high pressure slides east across the state. Generally light winds from the north will shift east to southeast through the day. Western ND will see some stronger southeast winds (around 15-20 mph) mid to late afternoon. Highs today will be just a bit cooler than Tuesday for most areas, but still well above normal. Lows tonight will range from the mid 30s to mid 40s.

Thursday and Friday will see the warmest temperatures of the week. Highs each day will range from the mid 70s to lower 80s, with warmest temperatures each day in the southwest. We utilized a blend of NBM and NBM90 for today through Friday. Today was a 50/50 blend with Thursday and Friday each leaning towards the warmer NBM90 temperatures. Near record, to record highs will be possible, especially southwest and south central.

An upper level trough lifts into the Region Friday into Saturday. This will bring an increasing southerly surface flow to western and central ND Friday, with a strong west to northwest surface flow on Saturday.

Friday afternoon and evening will see mainly low chances for showers and possibly an isolated thunderstorm. Moderate to strong shear lifts through the forecast area with some elevated CAPE, as high as around 600 J/kg over western ND around 00Z Saturday. With the warm temperatures expected. Low level CIN will remain and will be hard to overcome. The highest precipitation chances will be Friday night as wrap around moisture lifts through the northwest portion of the state behind the surface low that lifts northward into southern Canada. Much cooler air will also spread into the State on Saturday, ushered in by the strong west to northwest winds. After highs in the 70s and lower 80s Friday. Highs Saturday are forecast to range from the mid 40s northwest to the upper 50s over the southern James River Valley.

Aviation

Issued at 1157 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the 06Z TAF period. Cold front has made it through all TAF sites and most of ND as of 06 UTC. Expect light northerly over night the winds will shift east then southeast during the day, remaining 12 knots or less most areas. The far southwest could see southeast winds up to around 16 knots this afternoon. Surface flow remains southeast, mainly 5 to 15 knots tonight. Only some scattered mid and high clouds expected through the period.

Bis Watches

None.