textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- A strong, Arctic front arrives tonight into Friday, bringing a period of 20-25 mph winds with gusts ranging from 30-40 mph. This will lead to areas of travel impacts from isolated to scattered whiteout conditions, especially in open country.

- An Arctic air mass, along with breezy northwest winds, will bring dangerously cold wind chills into the region Friday through Sunday. Wind chills Saturday and Sunday mornings could fall as low as -40F.

UPDATE

Issued at 934 PM CST Thu Dec 11 2025

Snow is beginning to slowly push in from the west and is just around the Turtle Mountains on the leading edge. Observations remain above 1 mile in terms of visibility for the most part, but once it reaches our area and combines with winds, we should start to see sub-1 statute mile visibilities.

Ahead of this, freezing drizzle is possible but observations have been scant on if it is there. Regardless, any ice that does develop would create hazardous travel conditions. Any reports of freezing drizzle are always appreciated.

UPDATE Issued at 651 PM CST Thu Dec 11 2025

The main burst of higher winds remains well west of the region currently sitting on a line from northeast to southwest from New Salem to Minot. Blowing snow observations and webcams seem to indicate some visibility obscurations are ongoing and will eventually make it to our region overnight. With the snowpack in our region very blowable plus increasing winds and cold temperatures, expect visibility reductions to become widespread after midnight.

..Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Friday through Sunday

Frigid, Arctic air moves into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest following tonight's cold front. Friday's high temperatures (single digits either side of zero) will most likely occur around midnight tonight, with temps falling throughout much of the day. Lows Friday night into Saturday morning are expected to fall into the teens below zero to near 20 below zero, along with northwest winds ranging from 7 to 12 mph. This brings wind chill values into the range of 30 below zero to 40 below zero as cold air advection begins to taper off heading into Saturday. The coldest temps arrive Saturday evening into the early overnight hours, with many areas seeing air temps in the 20s below zero. Although winds will not be as strong, wind chills will still approach -40F due to the slightly colder air temperatures. Winds shift to the south after sunrise on Sunday, allowing temperatures to gradually climb above zero during the afternoon.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1120 PM CST Thu Dec 11 2025

Ceilings will become MVFR to IFR this evening as a front pushes in and brings a line of snow along with it. As this occurs, winds will increase from the northwest, increasing chances for visibility obscurations due to blowing snow. Generally expect sustained 1-3SM visibility with periodic drops to 1/4-1/2SM with falling snow. Falling snow will end fairly quickly but the winds will remain, allowing for continued impacts due to blowing snow. Visibility obscurations will continue but should be markedly improved from within falling snow. Ceilings should begin to lift to VFR through the afternoon and early evening hours from west to east, eventually becoming VFR with blowing snow conditions improving as winds diminish in intensity after sunset.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ND...Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 3 PM CST Friday for NDZ008-016-027>030-038-039. Cold Weather Advisory from 6 AM Friday to noon CST Sunday for NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030-038-039-049-052>054. Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM CST Friday for NDZ006-007- 014-015-024-026-054. MN...Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 3 PM CST Friday for MNZ001>004-007. Cold Weather Advisory from 6 AM Friday to noon CST Sunday for MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040.