North Dakota – The sharp edge of winter has arrived across the Northern Plains, with Grand Forks waking to air that bites exposed skin within minutes. Frost clings to windshields, snow squeaks underfoot, and a relentless Arctic chill grips both sides of the Red River Valley.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, temperatures will stay locked in the single digits through Friday, with wind chills plunging to 25 below zero by early Thursday. That kind of cold can freeze exposed skin in under 15 minutes, and drivers should prepare for icy roads and reduced traction as melted snow refreezes through the day.
Residents across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota should bundle up, limit outdoor exposure, and keep vehicles stocked with winter emergency supplies. While skies stay mostly clear through Friday, forecasters note a 20–30% chance of light snow Saturday, possibly bringing a dusting up to an inch—just enough to make roadways slick again.
The deep freeze lingers into early next week, though a slight warming trend could push highs into the mid-20s by Monday before another front dips temperatures again mid-December.
Five-Day Outlook (Grand Forks, ND / East Grand Forks, MN):
- Today: Mostly sunny, high near 9°F. Wind chills around -20°F.
- Thursday: Breezy, chance of light snow, high near 24°F.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 24°F, low near 0°F.
- Saturday: 20% chance of snow, high 8°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high near 9°F.
