The deep freeze gripping the northern Plains tightens its hold this Sunday as Grand Forks wakes under a pale, brittle sky. The air is razor-sharp, the kind that makes each breath sting and every step crunch. It’s the kind of cold that silences neighborhoods — a full arrival of early December winter.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, temperatures will remain locked in the teens through early week, with wind chills as low as -15°F Monday morning. Northwest winds will ease slightly this afternoon, but any calm will be short-lived — a fresh surge of Arctic air returns midweek.
Meteorologists note that while the region will stay mostly dry through Tuesday, a 20–30% chance of snow returns Thursday into Friday as another low pushes east from the Rockies. Any accumulations look light for now, but with highs only near 19°F, even a dusting could turn roads slick as snow melts and refreezes during the day.
Drivers along I-29 and rural routes east of the Red River Valley should prepare for icy spots, especially during early morning commutes. Pets and livestock will also need protection from the dangerous cold; frostbite can occur in less than 30 minutes under current conditions.
As December begins, long-range patterns continue to favor colder-than-normal temperatures and intermittent snow chances — signaling that the Upper Midwest is firmly shifting into a true winter regime.
Five-Day Outlook (Grand Forks, ND / East Grand Forks, MN):
- Monday: Mostly sunny, high 16°F, low 3°F (wind chill -15°F).
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high 21°F, low 3°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 19°F, low -6°F.
- Thursday: 20% snow chance, high 19°F, low 8°F.
- Friday: 30% snow chance, high 24°F, low 17°F.
