Winter’s First Real Chill: A Snowy Weekend Ahead for Parts of North Dakota

Winter officially kicked off on December 21, and so far, it’s been playing nice here in western North Dakota. The Christmas holiday delivered mild temps and festive cheer without the usual snow shovel drama. But as we flip the calendar to 2025, winter is finally ready to flex its muscles.

This first official weekend of the year is shaping up to be a chilly one according to the National Weather Service in Bismarck. A developing clipper system is heading toward Montana and southwestern North Dakota, bringing a decent chance of snow starting Saturday morning and lasting through Sunday morning.

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Now, why is this clipper taking aim at just the southwest corner of the state? You can thank a nosy Arctic high-pressure system sitting to our north. Acting like a weather bouncer, it’s steering the clipper southward, leaving the rest of us with colder temperatures but less of the fluffy white stuff.

Snowfall estimates suggest southwestern North Dakota could see a manageable 1-3 inches of snow. While it’s not exactly a snowpocalypse, it’s enough to get your windshield scraper back in action and maybe provide a scenic backdrop for your weekend plans.

For everyone else in western North Dakota, brace yourselves for a cold snap. Tonight through Friday looks cold! The Arctic high is poised to deliver some teeth-chattering temperatures to go along with the snow-free skies. It will remain extremely cold through the weekend, and the extended outlook into next week looks cold as well.

So, whether you’re in the snowy zone or just freezing your toes off, this weekend is shaping up to be a textbook North Dakota winter experience. Layer up, keep the cocoa handy, and maybe double-check your snow boots—because even winter likes to remind us who’s boss every now and then!