textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Near record highs in some locations today. Near critial fire weather conditions this afternoon parts of southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota.

- A strong cold front on Sunday. Rain chances are in the forecast Sunday into Monday, with additional chances later next week.

UPDATE

Issued at 442 AM CDT Sat Oct 10 2026

Discussion among the NWS offices in regards to fire weather concerns in parts of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Apparently Travis at MIFC would like SPS for near critical fire weather conditions today due to RH values less than 35 pct and wind gusts 25 mph or higher. So SPS was done roughly Park Rapids to Moorhead and south. In North Dakota, the state fire weather office prefers no SPS, but instead make mention of near critical fire weather conditions in the HWO and fire weather discussion. That was done.

..Synopsis

Troughing continues to develop across the Pacific Northwest this evening and overnight, along with a strengthening ridge across the eastern CONUS. As we head into Saturday and Sunday, this pattern amplifies, bringing continued strong warm air advection into the area tonight into Saturday. Temperatures could approach records across the southern Red River Valley, with afternoon highs in the mid to upper 80s. Further north, widespread 70s to low 80s are likely. An H5 trough will shift east late Saturday into Sunday morning, ushering a cold front into the area. Rain chances are in the forecast Sunday into Monday as this front traverses the region, which will accompany much cooler temperatures. Highs on Sunday are most likely to occur at midnight for areas in eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, with temperatures falling as the day progresses. Locations in west central Minnesota should see another relatively warm day before the front pushes through heading into Sunday evening.

Rain chances will increase once more heading into mid week as another system brings moisture into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Ensemble spread is still somewhat large at this time, with a wide range of potential QPF Wednesday through Friday. There is, however, relatively good agreement that most of the area will see measurable precipitation.

AVIATION /05Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1123 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

Skies remaining VFR tonight with lower clouds now looking to hold off for BJI when previously MVFR was looking likely. LLWS remaining for FAR, TVF, BJI through the overnight despite the gusts persisting at FAR still. Uncertain as to if gusts remain at fargo through the night as the forecast would have had them dropping off around sunset yet somehow they are still ongoing. Otherwise the rest of the sites remain 10-15kts overnight and through the early afternoon will minimal gusts, maybe up to 20kts occasionally. Overall LLWS is the biggest impact with occasional gusts creating problems through the early afternoon on Saturday.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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