An Astonishing 70 Degree Temperature Swing For North Dakota

Well, you won't need sunscreen, a bathing suit, or flip-flops for the next few days in North Dakota.

Nope, we are expected to experience some of the coldest weather I can remember as a lifelong North Dakotan. Overnight lows will approach 30 below zero (air temperature) tonight before we take a crack at all-time records both on Monday and Tuesday overnights.

Overnight lows are expected in the mid-30 below-zero range for Bismarck Mandan, which is insane. 

According to the National Weather Service in North Dakota, the entire state of North Dakota is in an "Extreme Cold Weather Warning" starting at 6 pm Sunday, February 16th until Wednesday, February 19th at 12 noon.

Life-threatening wind chills as low as 55 below zero are expected. Frostbite on exposed skin could happen in as little as 5 minutes. You are advised to dress in layers and use caution while traveling.

That would be the bad news but get ready for a temperature swing that is so uniquely North Dakota following this cold snap.

We are expected to go from the minus 35 air temperature to the mid-40s ABOVE ZERO by Sunday, February 23rd.

A 70-degree temperature swing in less than a week. Take a look at this long-range forecast from the Weather Channel.

The remainder of February looks warm too. Well above normal with high temperatures around 40 and plenty of melting days. Snow chances look to be limited for the rest of February as well.

If we get this snowpack melted, who knows, despite the ground hog's prediction, we might just have an early spring in March.

That will be tough to imagine with overnight lows at 30 below or better the next few nights, however.

At least we will be "swinging" in the right direction. Stay warm my friends.