textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong winds gusting to 55 mph are expected through this evening in the Red River Valley and eastern North Dakota, and a wind advisory remains in effect. Additional strong winds are expected again on Thursday and Friday.

- A Red Flag warning continues through the evening for eastern North Dakota and portions of western Minnesota. Near critical to critical fire weather conditions are again expected over parts of the region each afternoon tomorrow into Saturday.

UPDATE

Issued at 629 PM CDT Tue May 12 2026

Gusty northwest winds remain persistent across much of the area with gusts still reaching upwards of 40 mph. Blowing dust is being observed across much of the central and southern Red River Valley, as well as portions of northwest Minnesota. Visibility reductions as low as 1/2 mile have been reported at times. Winds will slowly taper off after sunset, eventually becoming light and variable overnight.

..Fire weather concerns through the week

RH values have fallen to 30 percent just east of the Red River, and will continue to see humidity drop off in the next few hours before starting to recover. See little reason to make changes to the current Red Flag warning. Tomorrow the winds will be much lower, but still could get some good mixing and RH values down to the 20 to 30 percent range. Will have to watch out for any SPS/HWO needed for near critical messaging. Winds return out of the south Thursday, but dew points will also be rising, so at this point it seems afternoon RH values will stay around 30 to 40 percent. Winds shifting to the west behind the trough axis on Friday will bring drier RHs and strong winds back, so will monitor for future fire headlines.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 629 PM CDT Tue May 12 2026

MVFR ceilings prevail at KBJI, with mostly VFR conditions elsewhere. There could occasionally be visibility reductions at KGFK, KFAR, and KTVF through the remainder of the evening as winds slowly taper off and gusts diminish. Winds become light and variable overnight. There is the potential for LLWS later this evening and overnight, especially from the Red River Valley eastward. Any LLWS issues should be somewhat brief, however, as high pressure moves into the area from the northwest during the late overnight period. Will continue to monitor and amend as needed.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ND...Wind Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for NDZ006>008- 014>016-024-026>030-038-039-049-052>054. Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for NDZ006>008- 014>016-024-026>030-038-039-049-052>054. Blowing Dust Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for NDZ008- 016-027-030. MN...Wind Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MNZ001>004-007- 027-029-030-040. Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for MNZ001>003- 007-029-030-040. Blowing Dust Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MNZ001>004-007-027-029-030-040.