GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Streetlights flicker through a rush of fast-moving clouds this morning as the first strong fall winds roar across the Red River Valley. South winds are already picking up in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, with gusts near 40 mph — and they’ll only grow stronger through the day.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, a Wind Advisory remains in effect through 5 p.m. today for eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Gusts could reach 50 mph in open areas, especially west of I-29 and along Highway 2. Loose outdoor items should be secured, and drivers of high-profile vehicles are advised to use extra caution on rural stretches.
The wind ushers in a milder air mass, with highs near 64°F Sunday. Clouds build later, and a few showers are possible late tonight, mainly north toward Crookston and Grafton. Monday brings steadier rain chances — about 70 to 80 percent — as a front pushes across the region, delivering another breezy day with highs in the low 50s.
By Tuesday, lingering light rain may give way to drier but cooler air. Temperatures will fall into the 40s for highs midweek, with clear, frosty mornings likely by Thursday.
For now, it’s a blustery stretch across the upper plains — a reminder that late fall is here to stay. Looking ahead, long-range models suggest a colder northwest flow to open November, hinting at the season’s first flurries for northern Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Five-Day Forecast for Grand Forks, ND:
Sun: 64/49 – Windy; gusts up to 50 mph.
Mon: 51/42 – Breezy; steady rain developing.
Tue: 48/34 – Showers taper; cooler air returns.
Wed: 47/32 – Partly sunny; brisk and dry.
Thu: 49/33 – Clear; cold morning frost possible.
