Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND

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525 FXUS63 KFGF 190607 AFDFGF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 107 AM CDT Thu Sep 19 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms this evening across the area, and a level 2 out of 5 risk for far southern portions of the valley. Main impacts would be hail up to ping pongs, winds to 60mph, and possible tornadoes. && .UPDATE...
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Issued at 107 AM CDT Thu Sep 19 2024 The thunderstorms near Bemidji and Park Rapids are still moving north and will likely persist for the next few hours. Heavy rain and lightning are the still the primary threats. Not anticipatingany severe development as the low level jet keeps these storms alive. The storms near Park Rapids are strong enough to produce 30mph winds so a few trash cans may be moved into the neighbors area or knocked over. UPDATE Issued at 1122 PM CDT Wed Sep 18 2024 Low level jet is starting to increase this evening for areas east of the valley. Scattered thunderstorms continue to develop in west central to central Minnesota. These storms may be strong at times, with brief heavy rainfall, small hail, and gusty winds. They are moving toward the northeast into Beltrami county. Activity that occurred earlier has continued to shift further into Canada and doesn`t pose an impact to Devils Lake Basin anymore. We will continue to monitor the environment through the overnight period as the LLJ continues to increase. UPDATE Issued at 957 PM CDT Wed Sep 18 2024 A few strong to severe thunderstorms developed in the Devils Lake region this evening, but since have moved north of the border into Canada. Watching a secondary area in Otter tail, Becker, Wadena, and Hubbard counties where we have some remaining instability. The frontal boundary associated with the low pressure system out west is currently in central ND and slowly working its way eastward. There continues to be a chance for isolated strong to severe storms through the 6z timeframe. We will continue to monitor through the evening and into the overnight period. UPDATE Issued at 622 PM CDT Wed Sep 18 2024 We continue to monitor the latest conditions across the area, as a few isolated storms have developed in Eddy county and within Trail county this hour. The chance for a few isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this evening, but as we continue on through the evening we start to decrease that possibility. Otherwise, the main low pressure is still out in western ND as indicated on satellite, with a boundary approaching the Devils Lake Basin.
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&& .DISCUSSION... Issued at 310 PM CDT Wed Sep 18 2024 ...Synopsis... Strong, wrapped up upper low continues near the MT/ND border, with the center of the surface low still well stacked and out west. The upper system will push off into Canada tonight, with the trailing surface boundary moving into the Red River Valley. Some wrap around into Thursday as the upper system continues to lift northeast, but then flow transitions more towards a more split pattern with the northern branch bringing some weak waves by our CWA. A few of the deterministic models bring the southern branch cut off into MN near our counties. However, there is not a lot of ensemble agreement on this solution and there does not seem to be much of a wet signal in the R or M climate. Temps do seem like they will be trending more towards seasonal averages up until Wednesday when ridging builds back in. ...Severe potential this afternoon and tonight... Clouds and shower activity continue to slowly diminish across our forecast area. SPC mesoanalysis has 1000-1500 J/kg of ML CAPE across eastern ND and effective bulk shear of 35 to 40 kts. There has not been much in the way of forcing, but there is a boundary/dryline and one of the vort lobes currently over western ND could skirt our CWA. Can`t completely rule out severe thunderstorm development, but given weak forcing the marginal/small slight risk continues to seem reasonable. If anything does fire, supercells will be possible, with the possibility of a tornado, along with ping pong ball sized hail and 60 mph winds. Several of the CAMs runs are not very impressive with storm development this evening, but do break out some elevated activity later tonight along the boundary as it moves through western MN thanks to the low level jet. SSCRAM guidance isn`t too bullish on severe impacts and HREF just has a few updraft helicity paintballs above 75 m2/s2. Will continue to monitor how things evolve this evening. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1122 PM CDT Wed Sep 18 2024 Isolated thunderstorm chances will be possible in BJI through 08-09z as a boundary shifts east of the area. Otherwise, LLWS will be possible for all TAF locations overnight as a low level jet sets up aloft. Winds will be breezy overnight, with sustained winds 10-15kts. Winds increase tomorrow mid morning through the early evening, with gusts reaching 30kts for areas along and west of the valley. Another chance for precipitation tomorrow afternoon for DVL, with isolated chance for thunderstorms. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...MM DISCUSSION...Godon AVIATION...Spender