textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong winds are expected along and north of I-94 on Friday. Near the International Border, these strong winds will result in blowing snow.

..Winds and Blowing Snow on Friday

A strong cold front will push from northwest to southeast after sunrise on Friday. The strongest cold air advection will be across the north during the late morning hours. A deep mixed layer with momentum transfer values of up to 45 knots near the International Border and 40 knots as far south as I-94 should promote wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph over much of the FA. As the initial surge of CAA passes through the far north, there is a brief period where momentum transfer values approach 50 knots. While the probability is low, a stray 55 to 60 mph gust is possible in the Langdon - Pembina - Roseau corridor. However, for the vast majority of the event, gusts should top out around 55 mph. Winds will die down considerably into the evening hours as the pressure gradient weakens and high pressure begins to gain control.

While warm temperatures today into tonight are working hard to create a crust on the snow, areas near the International Border will not experience as much time above freezing. In addition, this is the area the highest winds are forecast. Its not quite that simple though, as several other factors are working against blowing snow. For example, we start off very warm ahead of the cold front (near/above freezing). This means it will take several hours to get temperatures into the teens/single digits - which is when snow typically responds better to the wind, and lofts. By the time these colder temperatures work in, the best CAA bubble will be to the east, meaning winds will be beginning to die down. On top of that, if we get a bit warmer tonight ahead of the cold front from compressional heating, we could see a thicker crust form on the snowpack, ending any real chances for blowing snow. Even with these remaining uncertainties, the strength of the wind makes it hard to imagine that there will be absolutely no blowing snow across the far north. Therefore, while most of the FA has been placed under a wind advisory, four counties along the International Border are instead under a winter weather advisory for reductions in visibility from blowing snow.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1127 AM CST Thu Feb 26 2026

VFR throughout the TAF period. No aviation impacts are expected today. As we go into tonight, aviation impacts will increase as LLWS effects all terminals from west to east. Thereafter, on Friday morning, a cold front will swing through. This will bring strong west to northwest winds. The highest winds should occur near the end of the TAF period, but sustained winds of over 20 knots with gusts up to around 40 knots should continue through Friday afternoon.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ND...Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 7 PM CST Friday for NDZ006-014>016- 024-026>030-038-039-054. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 AM to 7 PM CST Friday for NDZ007-008. MN...Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 7 PM CST Friday for MNZ001>003- 006>009-013>017-022-023. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 AM to 7 PM CST Friday for MNZ004-005.