North Dakota — The cold bites instantly this morning in Grand Forks, where exposed skin stings within seconds and breath crystallizes in the air. This is the kind of cold that forces plans to change fast.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through midday, with wind chills ranging from 30 to 40 below zero. Actual air temperatures hover near 8 below, but steady northwest winds drive the danger higher. Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes.
Conditions remain harsh through the day. Afternoon highs struggle to reach 1 degree, and even brief trips outside require full winter protection. Vehicles may hesitate to start, and untreated surfaces remain slick. Drivers along I-29 and Highway 2 should expect slow travel and limited room for error.
Tonight stays brutally cold. Temperatures fall near 18 below under mostly clear skies, allowing rapid heat loss. Any exposed moisture freezes instantly, raising black ice concerns on side streets and parking lots.
Tuesday offers little relief. Highs reach only the single digits, with wind chills again plunging below 30 under zero during the morning. Clouds increase late, and light snow becomes possible Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Wednesday brings a change in the pattern. Light snow and patchy blowing snow may impact travel, especially during midday and afternoon hours. Winds increase, and while highs climb into the teens, it still feels sharply cold.
Thursday turns colder again, with highs near 2 below and nighttime lows dropping toward 25 below. To be fair, sunshine helps briefly, but the cold remains relentless.
Longer-range outlooks show below-normal temperatures holding firm across North Dakota, even as warmer air expands in the Southwest. Winter remains firmly in control of the northern Plains.
Limit outdoor exposure, check on vulnerable neighbors, and keep emergency supplies ready.
How long did you last outside this morning before the cold chased you back in?
Five-Day Outlook for Grand Forks, ND
Today: Partly sunny, extreme cold, high near 1
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 5
Wednesday: Snow chance and blowing snow, high near 14
Thursday: Partly sunny, bitter cold, high near -2
Friday: Sunny and cold, high near -15
