102 FXUS63 KFGF 090410 AFDFGFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 1110 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.
&&
.UPDATE... Issued at 949 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
Quiet weather persists this evening. Some mid-level clouds are working their way through southeast North Dakota, but other than that skies remain mostly clear. Impacts will remain limited overnight from weather.
UPDATE Issued at 629 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
Clear skies continue this afternoon with warmer temperatures in the 60s. With dry air lingering over the region, no weather impacts are expected overnight, especially as winds diminish.
&&
.DISCUSSION... Issued at 336 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
...Synopsis...
Current water vapor imagery this afternoon shows large upper ridging over the central CONUS/CAN, with highly amplified upper troughing in western CAN into the PacNW oriented in a positively tilted fashion. Dry conditions and gusty winds are driving near critical fire weather conditions this afternoon (more details below). Winds will lessen as we enter the evening, but a breeze still lingers through the overnight. This along with increasing temperatures aloft will keep temperatures above freezing tonight.
Ensemble guidance strongly suggests a branch of the western upper trough breaks away Thu/Fri moving through SK, southern MB, and into western ON while strengthening. This will allow a cold front to move through the region briefly decreasing temperatures, and ushering in breezy winds. A lack of moisture content will keep this cold frontal passage dry.
Quickly behind the now departing upper trough, upper ridging builds into the central CONUS as the southern branch of the upper trough stalls and gradually deepens near the PacNW. This promotes southwest flow aloft while driving the redevelopment of upper ridging over the Northern Plains/Upper Midwest, in turn promoting warming trend in temperatures and breezy conditions early this weekend.
Getting into late weekend and early next week, ensemble guidance then strongly suggests the PacNW upper trough breaks east/northeast perhaps in a rather stout and progressive fashion. This in turn will increase chance for precipitation, as well as gusty winds. Overall moisture content/instability will be lacking for robust thunderstorm development, however sufficient moisture and strong forcing should still promote areas of showers and perhaps weak thunderstorms. While temperatures on the western flanks of this trough will be cold enough to promote snow, nearly all guidance keeps the track of associated low pressure far enough west to keep snow chances into MT and perhaps western ND.
While this is forecast to be a stout shortwave trough passage, ensemble guidance also strongly suggests upper ridging redevelops behind this wave into next week. While predictability degrades thereafter, this type of pattern would still promote near to above average temperatures.
...Near critical fire weather conditions this afternoon...
Relative humidity values are dipping into the low 20s and even upper teens are occurring within portions of the Red River Valley into northwest and west-central Minnesota. This along with winds 10-20 mph, gusting to 30 mph (highest in Red River Valley) for the afternoon will promote increased potential for rapid spread of wildfires. While fuels are not overly conducive for rapid wildfire movement, they are starting to cure to a point where messaging is prudent.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1108 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
For the remainder of the overnight hours, elevated winds will continue with wind shear aloft remaining until sunrise. Wind speed magnitudes will range between 40 and 45 knots, potentially exceeding 50 knots in some locations.
The main story for the TAF period will be a front that pushes through the area tomorrow afternoon, shifting winds from southerly to westerly then eventually settling on northwesterly by the end of the TAF period. Wind speeds will not change too much in magnitude behind the front compared to in front of the front.
VFR conditions will continue for the entire TAF period.
&&
.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None.
&&
$$
UPDATE...Perroux DISCUSSION...CJ AVIATION...Perroux
NWS FGF Office Area Forecast Discussion