textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong low pressure will track thru the area this afternoon and evening. A band of snow will occur, heaviest just north of the low track. Locally 4 to 8 inch snowfall near the Minnesota and Manitoba border.

- Gusty winds of at least 50 mph will impact the area Thursday evening into early Friday morning. There is a 50 percent chance for blizzard conditions, especially the northern Red River Valley and parts of northwest Minnesota.

- Another system moves through the Northern Plains this weekend, bringing accumulating snow to areas near the South Dakota border. At this time, there is a 30 percent chance for Advisory impacts for far southeast North Dakota and parts of west central Minnesota.

UPDATE

Issued at 650 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

Updated key messages

UPDATE Issued at 640 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

During the overnight not much change in the forecast messaging. Converted most of the winter storm watch area to advisory, except Pembina to Roseau which did warnings. The interesting part about today will be watching current weather and pressure fall fields to see if the global models are handling low better vs HRRR, RAP and the national model blend. Global models have low farther south toward Fargo by 00z Fri vs NBM, HRRR, RAP have low just north of Grand Forks. This will make a difference in snowfall and south extent of it. Plus wind impacts.

..Another Winter System Possible this Weekend

A strong, Arctic front will bring another chance for accumulating snow late Saturday into Sunday. At this time, there are still some differences in the potential track, with several solutions favoring southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. There is a 30 percent chance of Advisory level impacts Saturday night through midday Sunday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 640 AM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

Starting off the day with a general south-southeast wind 10-20 kts. Will need to watch the advance of a band of snow or mixed rain/snow or just rain depending on temperature as it moves into E ND and the RRV midday and afternoon and into MN late aftn/eve. Big challenges await for winds late today and tonight as position of surface low will greatly affect wind direction and speed at each TAF site as it progresses east. Wind fields are very strong with this with indications of wind gusts 50 kts into Fargo and 35-45 kts other locations, except BJI this evening.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ND...Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM CDT Friday for NDZ006-007-014>016-026-027-054. High Wind Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 AM CDT Friday for NDZ029-030-039-053. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM CDT Friday for NDZ008. High Wind Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM CDT Friday for NDZ024-028-038-049-052. MN...Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM CDT Friday for MNZ001-007-013>015-022>024-028. High Wind Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 AM CDT Friday for MNZ002-003-027-029>032-040. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM CDT Friday for MNZ004-005-008. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM CDT Friday for MNZ006-009-016-017.