121 FXUS63 KFGF 281724 AFDFGFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 1224 PM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Near critical fire weather is expected across portions of northwest and west central Minnesota Sunday afternoon.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 1225 PM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
South to southwest winds prevail this afternoon across much of the area. A few gusts to near 20 mph are evident in west central Minnesota and the southern Red River Valley in response to a slightly stronger pressure gradient to our east. Temperatures are in the low to mid 70s and are on track to reach the lower 80s this afternoon.
UPDATE Issued at 640 AM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
We remain cloud free this morning, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Refreshed grids a bit, otherwise no changes are needed to the going forecast at this time.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 347 AM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
...Synopsis...
Clear, quiet and calm early this morning when looking at radar and satellite. Persistent ridging will keep this period of calm over our region through the early workweek. A fast hitting shortwave will pass through late Tuesday into Wednesday. Showers look to be limited in areal coverage to near the International Border as the wave quickly propagates to the north and east. Troughing over the western US will set up southwesterly flow over the Northern Plains by late week. This will increase precipitation chances towards next weekend, but right now guidance gives the idea of "waves" of systems that cause occasional chances for rain with breaks in between, not one larger system that would provide more persistent and widespread precipitation.
...Near Critical Fire Weather...
Another afternoon of above average temperatures, low dewpoints and a well mixed boundary layer will combine to create near critical fire weather across portions of northwest and west central MN. Looking upstream in SD/central ND, dewpoints are higher, and these values will be advecting into our region due to a south/southwest wind by this afternoon. Winds will be stronger then yesterday due to a tighter pressure gradient, with gusts topping out around 20 knots. All told, decided to issue an SPS for the forested areas of MN where the lower RH values look to reside. If higher dewpoints fail to advect as far east as currently forecasted, another tier of counties to the west of the current SPS will likely see near critical fire weather conditions as well for a few hours this afternoon. Near critical fire weather will continue to be a concern through midweek. The lowest RH and highest winds still look to not overlap though on any one given day, which should alleviate critical fire weather concerns.
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.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1225 PM CDT Sun Sep 28 2025
VFR conditions prevail through the period at all TAF sites. South to southwest winds are expected to continue this afternoon, with KDVL seeing a slow shift to the east to northeast overnight. A few wind gusts to near 20 knots are possible this afternoon at KBJI and KTVF before diminishing this evening.
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.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None.
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UPDATE...Lynch/Rafferty DISCUSSION...Rafferty AVIATION...Lynch
NWS FGF Office Area Forecast Discussion