Weather
Red River Valley Weather Oct. 16–20: Cold Gives Way to Warmth
GRAND FORKS, ND — A chilly Friday night will give way to a noticeably warmer weekend in the Grand Forks area, with temperatures climbing from the lower 50s Friday afternoon to nearly 70 degrees Sunday
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-10-14T10:54:10.424Z
GRAND FORKS, ND — A chilly Friday night will give way to a noticeably warmer weekend in the Grand Forks area, with temperatures climbing from the lower 50s Friday afternoon to nearly 70 degrees Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, the coldest temperatures of the upcoming five day period are expected Friday night, when readings in nearby East Grand Forks, Minnesota, could fall to around 33 degrees.
The colder conditions follow a breezy Thursday, when southwest winds shift northwest and gusts could reach 40 mph Thursday night in East Grand Forks.
By Friday, sunshine returns, although afternoon temperatures will remain in the lower 50s.
Cold Friday Night Before Weekend Warmup Friday's forecast calls for sunny skies and a high near 53 degrees in East Grand Forks, immediately across the Red River from Grand Forks.
Northwest winds will gradually shift southwest during the afternoon, with gusts potentially reaching 28 mph.
Temperatures are expected to fall sharply after sunset, reaching approximately 33 degrees overnight.
That reading would place temperatures close to freezing, making it worth monitoring conditions for sensitive outdoor plants.
However, the supplied National Weather Service forecast does not explicitly call for frost or indicate an active freeze warning.
Temperatures Jump Into the Upper 60s The chilly conditions will not last long.
Saturday brings abundant sunshine and a substantial temperature rebound, with afternoon highs reaching approximately 66 degrees.
South winds could gust to 28 mph during the day, adding some breeziness to otherwise favorable outdoor conditions.
Sunday looks even warmer, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures approaching 69 degrees.
The warming trend represents a 16 degree increase between Friday and Sunday, offering a noticeably milder finish to the weekend.
Monday and Tuesday should maintain the warmer pattern, with daytime temperatures holding in the upper 60s.
The National Weather Service outlook indicates predominantly dry conditions throughout the five day period, with no precipitation forecast for East Grand Forks from Friday through Tuesday.
For residents planning weekend travel, yard work or other outdoor activities, Saturday and Sunday offer the warmest conditions following Friday night's near freezing temperatures.
Five Day Weather Outlook: Oct. 16–20 Temperatures below represent National Weather Service forecasts for East Grand Forks, Minnesota, immediately adjacent to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Local conditions may vary across the northern Red River Valley.
Friday, Oct. 16: Sunny and cool, with a high near 53°. Northwest winds shifting southwest, with gusts up to 28 mph. Clear overnight, with a low around 33°. Saturday, Oct. 17: Sunny and noticeably warmer, with a high near 66°. South winds gusting up to 28 mph. Mostly clear overnight, with a low around 43°. Sunday, Oct. 18: Mostly sunny and mild, with a high near 69°. Winds gusting up to 25 mph. Mostly clear overnight, with a low around 36°. Monday, Oct. 19: Sunny, with a high near 67°. Mostly clear overnight, with a low around 41°. Tuesday, Oct. 20: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68°. Southeast winds gusting up to 28 mph. Overnight forecast details unavailable.