Could Be A Stormy Cinco De Mayo For Parts Of North Dakota

Did you know that Cinco De Mayo celebrates the Mexican army's victory over French forces back on May 5th, 1862?

I can't believe I still remember something from history class in high school. And you thought it was just a day of drinking tequila. True, that's what it has become in America. A wider celebration of Mexican culture, heritage with food, music, and parties.

Well, this Cinco De Mayo has the potential to deliver some fireworks in the sky, as in potential severe weather.

The Storm Prediction Center with the National Weather Service has put parts of south central and southwest North Dakota in a Level 1 potential for severe weather late this afternoon and evening.

This does include the Bismarck-Mandan area and most of our listening area.

Impacts from these storms include locally strong thunderstorms with damaging winds and possibly some hail.

Our news partner, KX News, says Burleigh, Morton, and Oliver Counties all could see storms on the stronger side.

In the meantime, you can enjoy a beautiful day in the Capital Region with high temperatures soaring into the low 80s with gusty south winds that could add the fuel needed to fire up these storms.

As much of North Dakota is still abnormally dry or in drought conditions, I guess we will take whatever precipitation we can get.

If we do get under a thunderstorm, we could see between a quarter to a half of an inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

After today, the rest of the week looks dry. Temps will be warm starting Wednesday through the weekend with upper 70s to low 80s.

Long-range forecasts show May will likely be on the dry side.