textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Much warmer temperatures are forecasted over the weekend. A more unsettled weather pattern develops late weekend into early next week.

UPDATE

Issued at 311 AM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Large area of clouds over the area and upstream into southeast and south central Manitoba. These clouds will continue to advect south and southeast today, with clearing likely to work in from the northwest as we get into the afternoon with clearing all areas tonight. Winds diminishing as high pressure moves from southern Saskatchewan into south central ND this aftn. There is a mid level wave that will spread mid level moisture east along the ND/SD border this afternoon. Main area of 850-700 mb frontogenesis is in northern SD into central MN with this system so far southern fcst area on north edge of some light precipitation. No impacts from this system.

UPDATE Issued at 655 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

The wind advisory has been allowed to expire on time at 7PM. Snow showers continue, with a report earlier from the Bemidji area of half mile, briefly lower, visibility. These showers will continue for a few more hours, but slowly wane in coverage and intensity.

..SNOW AND WIND THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING

A pressure trough over eastern North Dakota has fueled some convective snow showers bringing brief bursts of heavy snowfall rates. This has contributed to whiteout conditions at times but only for brief periods with limited accumulations. Behind this, more broad synoptic ascent with some convective elements has contributed to light to moderate snowfall with brief periods of heavy snowfall. Additional snowfall accumulations with this have potential but is highly dependent on longer duration of snowfall rates which appears to have a low probability. In any case, hazardous travel conditions will arise this afternoon and evening where snowfall is heavy enough.

Associated with this system is a broad swath of wind gusts approaching 40-50 mph at times. A wind max is still working its way eastward this afternoon bringing sustained winds between 20-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected through this afternoon in eastern North Dakota. Despite deep vertical mixing, winds aloft don't intensify to 50+ knots until well above the mixed layer, so high winds are not expected to develop across our region this afternoon. However, with the further south track of the surface low, the Wind Advisory has been expanded to include all of southeast North Dakota.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1238 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

MVFR ceilings are in place across eastern ND and northwest MN, with clearing trends to the northwest of the region that should continue through the afternoon/early evening eventually bringing VFR conditions. Northerly winds should also shift to the west then southwest as low pressure passes to the the south. This system is responsible for areas of light snow near the ND/SD state line and there are low chances (less than 30%) at KFAR through the afternoon/early evening. If this were to impact the terminal, visibilities may drop to 3-6sm, but it is more likely to remain south based on current trends.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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