Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND

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426 FXUS63 KFGF 210846 AFDFGF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 346 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2024 .KEY MESSAGES...
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- Isolated strong to severe storms possible in Devils Lake region Saturday late afternoon. - Potentially strong to severe storms on Monday afternoon.
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&& .DISCUSSION...
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Issued at 329 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2024 ...Synopsis... The jet stream pattern into next week will feature a 500 mb ridge spreading west-southwest over Texas from its position over Kentucky currently. Expect several 500 mb short waves to move through the southern Canadian prairies the next 5 days with each one potentially bringing a period of strong or severe storms. For today into tonight, the axis of strong storms and heavy rainfall has remained well to our south in southeast SD and moving into southern MN. Northern edge of showers with this feature look to brush far southeast fcst area today. There is an additional short wave over Wyoming generating a few storms in SE Montana and NE Wyoming. This wave may bring a few scattered storms into Devils Lake basin or parts of E ND late this aftn/eve. Instability is weak with this so no impacts are anticipated, other than lightning which would occur from any thunderstorm. Heavy rainfall is no longer a threat over the forecast area with rainfall forecasts thru the weekend under one half inch, most under one quarter inch. ...Isolated strong to severe storms possible in Devils Lake region Saturday late afternoon... A separate 500 mb short wave will move from southern Alberta into SW Manitoba by Saturday afternoon. The southern edge of height falls and cooler air aloft with this feature will brush north central ND 21z-00z and CAMS indicate development of a few storms with this, with higher coverage farther north in western Manitoba. Instability is present, with MU CAPES up to 1000 j/kg 21z-00z period in the area east of Minot to the Devils Lake area. ...Potential for strong to severe storms Monday afternoon... A stronger 500 mb short wave will move in a similar fashion from southern Alberta into southwest Manitoba by Monday aftn. This time though the rain and storms will not be present to our south and thus better return flow with SE wind bringing up 60+ dew pts into the high plains Sunday aftn/night. Monday will see upper wave in Manitoba with an eastward progressing cold front that will work into eastern ND 21z-00z time period. Dew pts progged to be 65-70 and MU CAPE values potentially in the 3000-4000 j/kg range due to forecast sfc temps in the 80s to around 90. Warmest and most unstable airmass in SE ND. Capping issues with warming 850-700 mb layer do look to be present and may play a role in potential for thunderstorm development. Bulk shear will be sufficient with values 45-55 kts. Something to monitor the next few days. Supercell composite values forecast from GFS would support supercell discrete cells mid to late aftn that may turn into a larger cluster in the evening.
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&& .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1026 PM CDT Thu Jun 20 2024 Winds will continue to be light and variable into Friday morning. RA will slowly work north, in addition to MVFR and IFR ceilings. As winds steady themselves in the easterly direction around 5 - 10 knots, RA and TSRA and the low ceilings will be more of a concern for aviation through early Saturday morning. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Riddle AVIATION...AH