textproduct: Grand Forks

KEY MESSAGES

- Drying fuels may intermittently support low end fire danger this weekend, mainly in west central Minnesota.

- A more active pattern may bring the possibility of impacts next week, but details are uncertain at this point.

..Fire weather concerns this weekend

With most of the snow gone except across parts of our far northern counties, fuels will continue to dry out into this weekend. Warm air pushes back up from the south Friday night into Saturday, although models have been trending in the cold front coming back down a bit faster Saturday afternoon. Portions of west central MN look to be still ahead of the front Saturday afternoon, and with temperatures rising into the 50s and dew points in the teens and low 20s, afternoon RH values should drop to the 25 to 30 percent range. Winds will be borderline but some speeds over 20 mph are not completely out of the question. Area of lowest RH isn't exactly lining up with the highest winds at this point, and our chances of getting below 25 percent RH are only around 20 percent in a few spots. Could get close to near critical fire weather conditions, but not confident enough for a watch at this point. Winds on Sunday do not look as strong as Saturday, but could still see a few locations drop to near 25 percent RH in west central Minnesota.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1131 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

VFR conditions are in place across much of eastern ND and northwest MN, with MVFR ceilings arriving over north central ND towards KDVL. MVFR stratus is expected to overspread eastern ND and northwest MN during the first 6hr of the TAF period west to to east, with improvement to VFR as daytime mixing and drier air arrive 12-18Z. There are also pockets of light snow early in the TAF period near KDVL with MVFR vis at times that will tend to break up as it moves east. There is still a chance for a few flurries/very light snow showers during the first 6hr of the TAF period at other TAF sites, but chances are too low for TAF inclusion at this time.

Northerly winds increase from the west-northwest Friday gusting once again in the 20-30kt range during peak daytime mixing, decreasing below 12kt during the late afternoon as surface gradient begins to weaken in response to low pressure building east. This will also result in an eventual shift in winds speeds to the south-southeast through Friday evening.

FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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