


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND
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054 FXUS63 KFGF 300007 AFDFGF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 707 PM CDT Sun Jun 29 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered thunderstorms are expected Monday afternoon. Lightning and hail to the size of nickels would be the main threats with stronger storms. - Severe thunderstorm chances return Independence Day (Friday) into next weekend to parts of the region. && .UPDATE... Issued at 701 PM CDT Sun Jun 29 2025 Isolated weak thunderstorm has develop recently south of the Fargo metro area. This will continue to trek eastward until around 8 or 9 PM before dissipating. This could produce some gusty winds to 45 mph. Otherwise, the area remains dry and breezy. Winds are anticipated to lessen around sunset through the night. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 358 PM CDT Sun Jun 29 2025 ...Synopsis... Mid level troughing continues to move from northwest to southeast this afternoon. Northwest flow prevails at the H5 level, with a slightly drier airmass settling into the region. For Monday, another chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms is possible along the trailing side of the departing trough. There could be just enough instability to allow a mention of small hail; however, most activity will be on the weaker side. Ridging builds into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest starting late Tuesday, with the axis centered over the area by early Thursday. This will allow at least some moisture return into the area ahead of another mid level trough that is expected to traverse the region over the July 4th weekend. As the ridge flattens and the trough deepens, we could see an opportunity for strong thunderstorms as well as the potential for heat impacts. ...Isolated Strong Storms Possible Monday Afternoon... There is a low chance for the development of a few stronger storms Monday afternoon as a mid level shortwave continues to work eastward into the Upper Midwest. Low level lapse rates will be favorable for convective activity, but lose intensity in the mid levels. MLCAPE is showing in the range of 900-1500 J/Kg, with shear profiles only marginally supportive of organized convection. The primary risk will be lightning, but a few stronger cells could produce near-severe hail during peak afternoon heating. Atmospheric support for thunderstorm activity falls significantly as sunset approaches and the mid levels decouple from the better lapse rates near the surface. ...Severe T-Storm Potential for Independence Day Weekend... H5 ridging weakens late this week and into the weekend, giving way to a more active pattern out of the west to southwest. Moisture return increases Thursday into Friday with dew points climbing into the upper 60s to near 70 degrees by Friday afternoon. This return flow will be ahead of a cold front and relatively sharp theta-e gradient. While timing is still uncertain, this setup certainly supports the potential for severe thunderstorm development during the afternoon and evening of July 4th and into Saturday as well. Ensembles show an 80 percent chance for CAPE values greater than 2000 J/Kg and a 50 percent chance for CAPE values in excess of 3000 J/Kg. At this distance, confidence in thunderstorm mode is somewhat low, with soundings suggesting support for all modes, but favoring hybrid clusters and linear line segments. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 701 PM CDT Sun Jun 29 2025 Isolated thunderstorms remain possible in southeast ND into west-central MN before 02Z - added VCTS to KFAR as it will stay just to the south of the site. Breezy winds out of the northwest lessen around sunset for the night, between 5 and 10kt. Sunday will see MVFR ceilings along with an increase in northwest winds again gusting to around 20kt. There is around a 50% chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms within Minnesota between 17Z-03Z tomorrow. This may impact sites like KTVF and KBJI during this period - added VCTS to note this. Not anticipating significantly gusty winds with these, with main hazard remaining lightning. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...CJ DISCUSSION...Lynch AVIATION...CJ