Dakotas Get Winter Thaw

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Arctic air that has enveloped the Northern Plains for a week and half is on its way out, with a warm-up in store for the rest of the week.

Temperatures Monday morning in the Dakotas were in the single digits and teens below zero — with wind chills dropping into the minus 20s.

But National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Heinert says the jet stream will be moving to the north and pushing the Arctic air out, allowing some warmer weather in. The forecast calls for highs Tuesday from the teens to the mid-30s in North Dakota, and from the 20s to the lower 40s in South Dakota.

Heinert says the balmier weather also could bring strong winds as well as a mix of precipitation. Major storms are unlikely, though.