Grand Forks, ND — After days of bitter cold and strong winds, residents in the Grand Forks area can expect a noticeable shift toward calmer and milder winter weather next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, the upcoming week will bring a reprieve from windy and cold conditions, with lighter winds and gradually warming temperatures compared to what the region experienced over the past week.
Forecast data shows daytime high temperatures climbing into the teens and 20s, with some locations approaching the upper 20s by midweek. Overnight lows are also expected to moderate, moving out of the single digits below zero and into the single digits above zero and teens, especially by Wednesday and Thursday.
In Grand Forks, highs are forecast to range from the upper teens to near 20 degrees early in the week, rising into the low to mid-20s by Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25. Similar trends are expected across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, including Fargo, Valley City, Bemidji, and Detroit Lakes.
Winds, which have been a major factor in dangerous wind chills recently, are expected to decrease significantly. Gusts that frequently exceeded 30 to 40 mph are forecast to ease to 10 to 20 mph or less for much of the upcoming week, improving overall comfort and reducing blowing snow concerns.
Forecasters say the quieter pattern will limit additional winter weather impacts, with no major snow systems currently expected through the holiday period. While temperatures will remain below freezing, the combination of lighter winds and milder air will make conditions feel noticeably less harsh.
The National Weather Service cautions that winter conditions can still change quickly, but confidence is growing that next week will be calmer overall.
