


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND
Issued by NWS Grand Forks, ND
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511 FXUS63 KFGF 141130 AFDFGF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 630 AM CDT Sat Jun 14 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is a risk for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms Monday, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary hazards. - Active pattern keeps daily thunderstorm chances in the forecast nearly each day next week. Strong to severe storms are possible. && .UPDATE... Issued at 630 AM CDT Sat Jun 14 2025 Showers with isolated thunderstorms are currently in south central ND this morning moving toward the east. Indications are these showers and isolated storms hold together as they approach the southeastern portion of ND this morning. We will continue to monitor this area of precipitation as it moves east. Otherwise, stratus is backing off in the northern Red River Valley allowing for sunshine this morning. Clouds will start to fill by in by mid to late morning. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 322 AM CDT Sat Jun 14 2025 ...Synopsis... Current satellite has an area of stratus across the southern forecast area this morning, with dew point depressions near zero and wind speeds light and variable. This brings the slight chance of patchy dense fog this morning mainly along the I94 corridor points south. Currently a few locations in west central Minnesota (Douglas and Todd counties) are reporting visibility reductions due to fog. We will continue to watch the patchy dense fog chances through the morning hours. Otherwise, temperatures across the area are in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Zonal flow continues across the northern plains this weekend and into next week, with multiple chances for thunderstorms nearly each day. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible. Our flow has a slight SW component to it which will help fuel moisture and instability into the Dakotas and Minnesota for thunderstorms. Forcing from upper level waves moving along the flow will help initiate the thunderstorms. The first wave moves through this afternoon and evening bringing thunderstorms chances to the region. The peak instability axis and moisture advection remains further toward western North Dakota. None the less, thunderstorms are expected across portions of the area, with a few stronger storms possible in the Sheyenne River Valley. This area is closest to the higher instability, moisture, and lift. Any strong storm that develops should remain below severe limits, but still have the potential to produce gusty winds, small hail, and frequent lightning. The stronger instability starts to shift further eastward Sunday and Monday as another wave shifts through the region. The forcing, instability, and moisture is more robust across the area Sunday night into Monday. The best parameters will be south of the region, but enough instability, moisture, and lift will be present to spark isolated strong to severe thunderstorms across the area late Sunday through Monday. Main hazards would be large hail and damaging winds. The week ahead will be active with multiple chances for thunderstorms nearly each day of the week. A few of these storms have the potential to be strong or even severe. Have a way to receive alerts this weekend and the coming week. Otherwise, temperatures will be near seasonal throughout the week with highs in the 70s to lower 80s. ...Severe Threat Monday... An upper level wave moves through the region Sunday night through Monday bringing the chance for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms to the area. A boundary sets up along the SD/ND border late Sunday through Monday, with a trailing cold front through South Dakota. Guidance continues to track the system through SD, with a few members of ensembles tracking it through southern ND and others through Nebraska. Only a few members show these tracks through either ND or NE. Any deviation to the north would increase chances for strong to severe thunderstorms while a further southerly track would decrease chances. Along and north of the boundary temperatures will reach into the 70s, with dew points in the 60s. Thunderstorms are expected to develop along the boundary and ahead of the cold front, and start out as discrete with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threats. Atmospheric soundings show strong lapse rates of 7-8 C/km, 0-6km shear of 25-35kts, and MUCAPE around 2500 J/kg. As the upper level wave shifts eastward thunderstorms will become more linear and organized as mid level flow becomes parallel to the boundary. This would unfold during the day on Monday and into the evening hours. Primary hazards will transition from a hail and wind threat to a damaging wind threat as the complex becomes linear. Right now, guidance indicates areas in SD and southern MN as having the best chances for strong to severe thunderstorms Monday. None the less, with the strong instability, moisture, shear, and lift across our forecast area there is a chance for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms late Sunday through Monday. Have a way to receive alerts this weekend and into Monday for the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms. ...Active Pattern Next Week... As the zonal flow continues across the northern plains, we see multiple chances for thunderstorms across multiple days. Several waves move through during the work week bringing thunderstorm chances, with a few strong to potential severe thunderstorms possible. The southwesterly component in the zonal flow helps to push moisture and instability through the area. This will help fuel thunderstorms, and any wave moving through will help initiate the forcing necessary for the development of those storms. The potential is there for the zonal flow to continue post work week and into the following weekend across the area furthering our chances for thunderstorms within the northern plains. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 630 AM CDT Sat Jun 14 2025 Stratus continues to affect FAR this morning with MVFR conditions. Ceilings improve for FAR by the mid afternoon, but go back to MVFR near the end of the TAF period. This is associated with a large area of clouds moving in from the southwest. Rain will move in from the west by the afternoon hours for each location, with the potential for a few isolated thunderstorms for DVL, GFK, TVF, and FAR later this evening and into the overnight hours. Otherwise, winds are light and variable and will go southeasterly at 10kts by mid morning. Ceilings go MVFR for DVL and BJI near the end of the TAF period. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...Spender DISCUSSION...Spender AVIATION...Spender