Grand Forks, ND – A narrow zone of instability could bring isolated severe thunderstorms to parts of North Dakota and South Dakota Wednesday evening, with the greatest risk concentrated between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service Grand Forks, low pressure will develop over south-central North Dakota and move east through central and eastern South Dakota late Wednesday afternoon. Thunderstorms, potentially severe, may form and shift northeast toward southeast North Dakota and the southern Red River Valley (RRV) during the evening hours.
While the highest local risk remains low—rated a Level 1 on the five-point scale—weather officials caution residents in areas such as Valley City, Fargo, and Devils Lake to stay alert. Threats include wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of quarters. Tornado development is considered unlikely at this time.
The storms are expected to weaken by late Wednesday night. Officials urge residents to have multiple methods of receiving warnings and to review their shelter plans in advance.
This weather system follows a pattern of late-spring instability common to the northern Plains. Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware and monitor updates via weather.gov or local alerts.
