Grand Forks, N.D. – Residents across northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota should prepare for the potential of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening as a cold front moves through during the hottest part of the day. While storm development remains uncertain, any storms that form could quickly become severe.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, a weak cold front will move east across the region Friday, with thunderstorms expected to develop between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of northeast North Dakota and portions of northwest Minnesota under a Level 2 of 5 (Slight Risk) for severe weather.
Forecasters say the primary threats include wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail up to the size of golf balls. An isolated tornado also cannot be ruled out. However, a warm layer of air aloft, known as a cap, may limit how many storms develop. If that cap weakens, storms could intensify rapidly.
Communities including Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Grafton, Cavalier, Langdon, Hallock and Thief River Falls should closely monitor forecast updates through Friday. The exact timing and coverage of storms will depend on whether the atmosphere becomes unstable enough to overcome the cap.
Now is the time to review severe weather safety plans and ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, including Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio and trusted weather apps. Additional watches or warnings may be issued Friday as confidence in storm development increases.
