textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- A thermal boundary will remain near the forecast area into next week, moving a bit north and south as systems move thru southern Canada. Cooler north and much milder south. Light precipitation chances this evening with impacts being very low.

..Fog, Warmth and Wintry mix on Saturday

A weak wave passing through tonight will spark off light precipitation near the International Border. Soundings show a deep warm layer, which should keep most precipitation as rain. The one caveat is surface temperatures, which may briefly be near freezing around the Lake of the Woods. If temperatures are slightly below freezing, an extremely brief period of freezing rain would occur. However, this looks more and more unlikely with each passing model run. Further to the south and west, a still moist boundary layer and light winds up to 900 mb should promote at least pockets of fog tonight into Saturday morning. The most likely areas are along US Highway 2 north to the International Border, west of the forests of MN. Areas in southeastern ND and west central MN do not look to have as much moisture within the boundary layer, along with a touch higher winds overnight, which should limit fog development.

Temperatures on Saturday will vary widely from south to north. 925 mb temperatures of 15C and 850 mb values around 13C gives surface high temperatures in the low to mid 70s across southeastern ND. Soundings show good mixing, up to 850 mb or even a little higher. Added together, southern areas are likely to see their first 70 degree readings of the year. Further north, temperatures will be warm, but remnant snowpack and a little CAA behind the overnight wave will promote highs generally in the 30s. Between the warmth in the south and cold in the north, a massive temperature gradient will exist between US Highway 2 and I-94. Along Highway 2, temperatures will be near 50. Along I-94, temperatures will be well into the mid to upper 60s. While warm for mid March, record high temperatures are still 5 to 10 degrees warmer then forecasted afternoon highs.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1233 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026

IFR to LIFR ceilings prevail at KDVL, KGFK, and KTVF this afternoon as a cold front slowly moves southward. These lower ceilings will eventually move into KFAR and KBJI later this afternoon. There is a chance for a light rain/snow mix as the front moves through; however, accumulation potential is very low. Winds have already shifted to the north everywhere except KBJI and KTVF, which will see this shift during the early afternoon. Wind gust potential will be around 25-30 knots, mainly just after the frontal passage.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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