textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- A major winter storm will impact the Northern Plains this weekend. Accumulating snow will begin Saturday afternoon, lasting through Sunday. Total snowfall accumulations will be 4-6 inches, with localized totals approaching a foot, mainly along the Dakota state line.

- Blowing snow will increase Sunday. Widespread blowing snow will periodically reduce visibility to whiteout in the southern Red River Valley.

- Freezing rain and accumulating snow may bring travel impacts Tuesday into Wednesday. The probability for advisory level impacts is 40%.

..WINTER PRECIPITATION TUESDAY

Another swath of precipitation is expected to dive down Tuesday. However, mean temperature profiles increase as a building ridge upstream begins to take hold. This brings a nice temperature gradient and zone of higher forcing to our area, with precipitation expected Tuesday afternoon/evening. Temperature profiles will be variable with a potential range of scenarios from rain, freezing rain, and snow. Still, QPF signals are fairly light and generally a few tenths, so the greatest impacts will likely have to come from any freezing rain or all snow. The probability of advisory impacts is 40% because any freezing rain is enough to generate impacts, while a combo of freezing rain/snow appears to be a more likely scenario. Regardless, this carries a shorter predictability horizon, so stay tuned for further updates as we get closer.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1145 PM CDT Fri Mar 13 2026

VFR conditions expected through the morning hours for most locations in eastern ND and northwest MN, with VFR more likely to prevail during this TAF period at KGFK, KTVF, and KBJI. After 12Z MVFR stratus (already in southern Canada) is expected to build into KDVL and is likely to prevail.

A strong low pressure system is expected to pass to the south of the region, and should result in increasing winds through the evening hours Saturday. This also brings increasing moisture and snow (moderate to heavy across southeast ND and far west central MN). Drier air to the north may limit the northern extent of impacts (more likely to remain south of KGFK), however KFAR is in line for degrading aviation conditions from this snow and blowing snow. MVFR ceilings are expected at KFAR during that period, with LIFR conditions as moderate snow and blowing snow reduce visibilities. Brief heavier pockets could result in VLIFR conditions during the late evening/overnight period Saturday night as winds continue to increase across the southern Red River Valley (strongest winds are after 06Z).

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ND...Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for NDZ038-039. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for NDZ049-052-053. MN...Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for MNZ003. Winter Weather Advisory from 7 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for MNZ024-027-028. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for MNZ029. Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for MNZ030>032-040.