825 FXUS63 KFGF 082357 AFDFGFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 657 PM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- There is a 1 of 5 risk for isolated severe thunderstorms through late evening across portions of west central Minnesota. Large hail, up to 1 inch, will be the primary hazard.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 657 PM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
Still getting showers and a few weak thunderstorms developing over the southern Red River Valley into western MN as shortwave moves through. Not a lot of ML CAPE to work with but elevated CAPE is around 2500 J/kg and effective shear around 30 kts so can`t completely rule out some cells strong enough for elevated hail in the next few hours. Risk still looks marginal so messaging 1 out of 5 seems reasonable. Made some minor tweaks to POPs for timing and placement as we head into the overnight, but no major changes to our messaging.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 328 PM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
...Synopsis...
Showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, evening, and early overnight hours. H5 shortwave continues southeastward along the downstream side of an approaching ridge. This ridge is expected to move very slowly to the east, displaying characteristics of a standing wave or weak blocking pattern. This is due to deep, H5 troughs on either side of the ridge, with slow movement to the east. Warmer temperatures build into the ridge today through Friday, allowing afternoon highs to climb well into the 70s to low 80s each afternoon. Mid 80s become possible heading into Friday and Saturday before the ridge pushes to the east, giving way to southwest H5 flow. The oncoming flow pattern shows support for showers and thunderstorms as early as Thursday afternoon, with additional precip chances each day through Sunday. While it remains too early to gather exact details, strong storms could be possible late this week and into the weekend due to multiple shortwave passages.
...Isolated Severe Thunderstorms Possible Today...
A weak shortwave is moving across the region this afternoon and evening. A relatively strong 850mb jet is currently moving eastward into west central Minnesota, providing moisture ahead of the shortwave and allowing MUCAPE to climb upwards of 2000 J/Kg. Lapse rates this evening will be high enough to allow a mention of at least a few stronger storms; however, this conditional threat will be somewhat short-lived as the low level jet continues eastward. The primary hazard this evening will be hail up to 1 inch in diameter, with the potential for smaller hail persisting into the early overnight period.
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.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 657 PM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
KTVF has MVFR ceilings right at 3000 ft but every other TAF site currently VFR. Should see showers and possibly a few thunderstorms for the next few hours at KFAR and KBJI as an upper level disturbance passes through the area. Then all sites should become dry with VFR conditions and light and variable winds by late evening. There is some guidance that develops LIFR stratus and brings it as far west as KGFK and KFAR tomorrow morning. However, other model runs keep us VFR and probability of less than 1000 ft ceilings is less than 40 percent at the Red River airports. Will keep them out of the stratus for now, but included some 500 ft ceilings at KBJI which has probability over 50 percent. All sites should be VFR by late morning, with winds picking up out of the north at around 7 to 10 kts.
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.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None.
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UPDATE...JR DISCUSSION...Lynch AVIATION...JR
NWS FGF Office Area Forecast Discussion