textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Gusty north winds and patchy blowing snow could lead to visibility reductions late this evening and overnight, with the highest chances in the southern Red River Valley.

- Intervals of below average temperatures through the rest of the week, along with snow chances from Thursday into the weekend.

UPDATE

Issued at 1000 PM CST Tue Dec 2 2025

After the initial period of stronger wind gusts as 925MB CAA moved down the valley, winds have somewhat leveled off in our north, though stronger 925MB winds (30kt) are still in place overnight and with falling temperatures snow pack may become easier to drift/blow (particularly south), so we'll have to continue to monitor trends through the overnight/early morning hours. Most current visibility impacts in the near term are driven by lingering light snow shower that are developing due to the steeper low level lapse rates in place and low level shear leading to some HCR type shower activity. Adjustments were made to linger mention of snow and to adjust for potential stratocumulus lingering longer Wednesday.

UPDATE Issued at 703 PM CST Tue Dec 2 2025

Winds have picked up in northeast ND as CAA and northerly BL flow is aligned with our valley, with flurries lingering behind the main area of light snow (ahead of the cold front). There is a small window in southeast ND/west central MN for freezing drizzle right ahead of the cold front before wetbulb temps rapidly drop behind the cold front as ice aloft is limited. That window may already be closing as temperatures at the surface are -10C (14F) and falling (north to south). Visibility reductions (3-6sm) appear to be related to flurries and limited blowing snow where winds are picking up. This will be monitored, but it appears impacts may be limited in our CWA from icing.

The impacts from blowing snow and any potential for localized whiteout conditions will continue to be dependent on the nature of snow pack in the southern RRV as the stronger winds arrive and temperatures drop closer to 10 or less later tonight.

..Gusty Winds and Patchy Blowing Snow Tonight

North winds prevail following today's cold front. The combination of these winds, along with light snow, and a favorable wind direction, could bring periods of low visibility overnight. Upstream observations in Pembina County, as well as webcams in southern Manitoba, show visibility as low as 1-2 miles this afternoon over a relatively low snow pack. As the front passes through the southern Red River Valley this evening, over the deeper snow pack, we could see sharply reduced visibility, especially in open areas.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1133 PM CST Tue Dec 2 2025

Widespread MVFR stratus is in place across eastern ND and northwest MN behind a cold front that pushed through the region earlier. Light snow showers are lingering early in the TAF period, however only localized visibility reductions below 6sm have been reported. There is a low chance for blowing snow impacts as well, mainly in southeast ND early in the TAF period, but so far this has yet to show impact impacts near KFAR. Northwest winds will decrease some with the loss of higher mixed layer winds Wednesday morning, but likely won't decrease below 12kt until late afternoon/evening.

There are some clearing regions upstream in northerly flow that may allow for VFR to return during the first 6hr of the TAF period, however this is also the type of pattern that new stratocumulus may reform which may not be well reflected in current guidance. Whether this amounts to lingering MVFR ceilings or just a scattered layer is hard to say as drier air will be arriving that may limit coverage Wednesday in ND. The best chance for MVFR to linger into Wednesday afternoon remains in northwest MN.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ND...None. MN...None.