Moorhead, Minnesota 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

174
FXUS63 KFGF 200605
AFDFGF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1205 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Blowing snow will impact travel conditions into Saturday
  morning across portions of the Devils Lake basin and far
  western Red River Valley in northeast North Dakota.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1159 PM CST Fri Dec 19 2025

Gusty winds behind the cold front is causing blowing snow,
particularly within the Devils Lake basin. Reduced visibilities
below half a mile are being observed, with traffic data
suggesting impacts to travel conditions within eastern Devils
Lake basin.

There continues to be no indication of freezing rain in
southeast ND and west-central MN, however, there is some light
snow being reported in west-central MN. This is not anticipated
to impact travel conditions.

No changes to the forecast were made as things are panning out
as previously discussed.

UPDATE
Issued at 908 PM CST Fri Dec 19 2025

Lingering area of blowing snow has since ceased within the
east-central and northeast Red River Valley in Minnesota.

A cold front is sweeping through our area from the west,
bringing gusty west-northwest winds. Strongest winds gusting to
50 mph are forecast to be in an area of eastern Devils Lake
basin near the far western edge of the Red River Valley. This is
where blowing snow is expected to produce occasional whiteout
conditions, impacting travel conditions tonight into Saturday
morning. Icy roads presently reported in this area may linger
through this period of impactful blowing snow, further degrading
travel conditions. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued in
this area for this hazard/impact. Other locations within
northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota will see drifting
snow and patchy blowing snow through Saturday.

Elsewhere tonight, patchy freezing rain remains possible along
and south of I-94 before 3AM. Confidence in this resulting in
impacts remains low due to uncertainty in coverage due to dry
low levels preventing much precipitation aloft from reaching the
ground. Perhaps the area favored the most for actually having
precipitation reach the ground in a more steady-rate is the
higher elevations of west-central Minnesota. Should this hazard
come to fruition, it will be relatively brief as the cold front
quickly overcomes this area by 3AM, ending chance for freezing
rain and resultant light icing.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1204 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

...Synopsis...

An active weather pattern continues to bring shortwaves into the
Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Thermal gradients remain very
strong from north to south along a baroclinic zone, where these
shortwaves are able to strengthen and bring winter impacts to the
region. Today`s impacts include light snow, blowing snow, and the
potential for freezing rain and wintry mix. Travel impacts are
possible this afternoon through early Saturday morning. Cold air
advection prevails along northwest winds through much of the day,
keeping temps in the single digits to low teens for most areas. A
few highs near 20 degrees are possible along the South Dakota
border. Heading into Sunday morning, temps start out in the teens
below zero in the north to near zero in the south, with wind chills
as low as 30 below zero. Highs will reach the single digits to mid
20s from north to south as warm air advection prevails along south
winds. Highs on Monday could climb well into the 20s to low 30s;
however, a cold front brings highs back down into the single digits
to low 20s on Tuesday. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day look slightly
warmer; however, ensembles show the possibility of another cold
front and additional snow chances across parts of the area.
Confidence and details remain minimal at this time, but it is worth
keeping an eye on if you have travel plans over the holiday.

...Travel Impacts Possible This Afternoon and Tonight...

Light to moderate snow will continue lifting northward this
afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. Wind gusts this
afternoon have generally ranged from 25-35 mph, which is lofting
freshly fallen snow and leading to visibility reductions as low as
1/4 mile at times. Brief whiteout conditions remain possible in open
country through late afternoon. As the main cold front pushes
southeast this evening, a wintry mix is possible for parts of
southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. Soundings show
good saturation in the DGZ; however, a warm nose at around 800 mb
will serve to melt at least some of the falling snow. Surface temps
at the time are expected to be in the mid to upper 20s, which could
lead to travel impacts in response to light ice formation. Behind
the front, strong CAA prevails, with potential momentum transfer up
to around 800 mb, where winds are upwards of 50 knots. There is some
uncertainty regarding how much mixing is supported; however, given
the strong CAA and pressure rises, a mention of wind gusts to 45 mph
is supported. As such, areas of blowing snow are expected across
parts of the Devils Lake Basin, which could bring additional travel
impacts due to sharply reduced visibility.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1159 PM CST Fri Dec 19 2025

Aviation impacts are forecast at TAF sites due to reduced
visibility, lowered ceilings, and gusty winds leading to blowing
snow.

Cold front sweeps through the area tonight, turning winds west-
northwest between 20-30 mph, gusting 35-50 mph, highest in
northeast North Dakota. These gusty winds will create blowing
snow, reducing visibility generally between 2-5SM. The exception
to this will be within northeast North Dakota (including KDVL),
where visibilities may dip 1SM or less before 15Z.

MVFR ceilings are also forecast at several TAF sites throughout
the TAF period. Confidence is this, however, is low to medium.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM CST this morning for NDZ007-
     015-026-028-029-054.
MN...None.

&&

$$

UPDATE...CJ
DISCUSSION...Lynch
AVIATION...CJ