textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- At times near critical fire weather this week.

- Warming up this weekend with potential for heat impacts.

UPDATE

Issued at 1135 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The forecast remains on track this evening with mid level cloud cover across southeast North Dakota and otherwise clear skies. Cooler temperatures prevail this evening as observations show widespread 50s to low 60s. Low temps could fall into the upper 40s across parts of northwest Minnesota, with low 50s expected elsewhere.

..Heat this Weekend

As ridging builds east, another period of 90+ degree temperatures is forecasted. The highest heat indices will be in southeastern ND, where highs are expected to be in the upper 90s. While humidity will not be as high as with the previous heat wave (we do not have a good source of richer dew point air to advect northward), local ET contribution will likely keep dew points in the upper 50s to 60s. This should maintain heat indices values a couple of degrees above the air temperature.

To put into context recent heat here are a few quick statistics. Digging into climate records a bit, Fargo's average temperatures from July 1 to 20 ranks 3rd, behind 1936 and 2012. Grand Forks WFO site ranks 2nd, behind only 1936. With today and tomorrow being the only days of the next 7 forecasted to have temperatures near average, it appears these records will continue to hold about steady into the end of the month - and depending how stubborn ridging is into next week, our monthly average temperature may even climb slightly. This goes to show that while we have not set a single daily high temperature record this month, the duration of heat (which will continue with the upcoming stretch this weekend) has been impressive for our region.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1135 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

VFR conditions prevail at all sites through the period. Winds remain light and variable across much of the area tonight into Wednesday morning. High clouds are moving across southeast North Dakota tonight, which could spread into the remainder of the region by sunrise. There is a low chance for patchy and shallow fog early Wednesday morning. Winds increase slightly after sunrise, shifting to the west by mid morning.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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