textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry conditions with above normal temperatures through Thursday.

UPDATE

Issued at 623 AM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

Temperatures this morning are in the upper 20s and low 30s across much of the area, with low 40s in portions of west central Minnesota. Today brings minimal cloud cover and mild afternoon highs in the 60s.

..Synopsis

Surface cold front/wind shift has moved through most of the CWA, and high pressure should move in behind it for tonight. With fairly light winds and only a few cirrus clouds, radiational cooling will be good, with the northern counties dropping into the mid 30s and a 50 percent chance for below 32 degrees around Towner county. However, temps in that area have already dipped into the upper 20s, so no freeze headlines are needed at this point. Temps will recover quickly as we head into the work week and upper ridging builds into the Plains and Upper Midwest. A weak shortwave moving over the top of the ridge through Canada will again bring a weak frontal boundary/wind shift through on Wednesday, but not much impact expected. Temperatures will remain above seasonal averages throughout the period with the ECMWF EFI showing only more of a warm signal as we head into next weekend and flow turns southwesterly.

Pattern starts to turn more active towards the end of the work week as flow becomes more southwesterly and a lead shortwave and warm air advection come into the region. Exact timing of the upper trough coming out into the Plains is all over the place with several clusters keeping the main troughing off to our west while others bring lower heights into the upper midwest/Great Lakes. The ensembles do have a signal for at least some precipitation and warmer than average temperatures. The ECMWF EFI even has some unusual for the season CAPE in portions of our area. Thus, a few rumbles of thunder seem more likely during this active pattern than any snow.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 623 AM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

VFR conditions prevail through the period at all TAF sites. Light and variable winds this morning will increase slightly out of the southeast this afternoon, generally in the range of 6-10 knots. Overall, minimal impact potential to aviation through the TAF period.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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