River Flood Watch 9, NWS Grand Forks, ND

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
946 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

.UPDATE...
Issued at 946 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

Visible satellite imagery shows gradual dissipation of the area
of upper clouds over the northern and central valley. Expect this
trend of gradual clearing to continue late this morning.

UPDATE Issued at 636 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

Increased cloud cover over the northern Red River Valley as there
has been quite a bit more mid level clouds than expected.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 257 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

Temperatures and relative humidity values will be the main issues
for the period.

The main upper low remains well to our south over the Central
Plains, with shortwave ridging in the northern branch of the split
flow in our region. Surface high pressure will pull further to the
east with a trough to the west, allowing south winds to pick up a
bit more today. Warm air advection isn't too impressive but there
will be plenty of sun and more wind for mixing today. Think that
highs will be a degree or so warmer than yesterday, ranging from
near 50 over lingering snowpack to low 60s in the northern RRV and
northwestern MN. Dewpoints in NW MN will be in the 20s this
afternoon, and afternoon RH values could drop down to near 20
percent in some areas. However, winds look like they will stay
fairly light in that area so fire weather will not be too much of
a concern until tomorrow.

Tonight, the surface trough will move into the western Dakotas and
winds will become southwesterly and pick up a bit. Good mixing
should keep lows in the 30s with some spots near 40 overnight.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 257 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

Sunday will see windy and warm conditions as a upper level trough
and attendant surface low move through central Canada. Southerly
winds will pick up during the afternoon hours to 10 to 15 mph across
eastern ND and the River Valley with winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts
up to 30 mph possible across northwestern and north central MN.
Combined with warm afternoon temperatures in the low to mid 60s and
relative humidity values in the low to mid 30s, near critical fire
weather conditions will be a concern across the northwest portion of
MN.

A weak trough/cold front trailing southward from the Canadian
surface low will bring light rain chances and slightly cooler
temperatures overnight Sunday into Monday morning. Rain chances
return late Monday night into Tuesday as a weak upper level trough
moves through the north central CONUS. After a slightly cooler
Tuesday a warm up is anticipated for Wednesday with highs in the low
60s.

As a northwesterly flow regime sets up for the second half of the
week, a shortwave trough and associated surface low will bring a
cold front through the northern Plains. This will allow for
scattered light rain and cooler temperatures for Thursday. A return
to mild and calm weather is expected for the end of the work week
and beginning of the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning)
Issued at 636 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

VFR conditions with some mid level clouds rolling through. A few
spots have been dropping to 4-6SM vis on the edge of the cloud
deck, but so far TAF sites have been staying up so will monitor
and amend as needed this morning. VFR conditions for rest of the
day. South winds picking up into the 5 to 15 kt range.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 257 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

Moderate flooding is currently ongoing along the Snake River above
the Warren Diversion in Marshall country MN. Most recent
observations place the current water level at 71.3 ft. The water
level is currently forecast to recede to minor stage by mid day
Saturday. Additionally, the Snake River at Alvarago is forecast to
enter moderate flood stage by Saturday afternoon, though is expected
to drop back to minor flood stage by Sunday.

Recent observations show the Red River at Oslo quickly approaching
moderate flood stage over the past 12 hours. This is a slightly
quicker rise than initially forecast, though the river rise is
expected to slow over the next few days. A peak water level of 35
feet is expected by mid week.

The Two Rivers near Hallock is currently in minor flood stage, but a
quick rise in water level has been noted over the past 12 hours,
due to reservoir releases. This location is currently forecast to
remain in minor flood stage, but should be monitored for a brief
climb into moderate.

Elsewhere, all other forecast points along the Red River and its
tributaries, including Grand Forks, are either at or below minor
flood stage and are forecast to remain below moderate levels through
the weekend.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.
&&

UPDATE...BP
SHORT TERM...JR
LONG TERM...AM
AVIATION...JR
HYDROLOGY...AM

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
357 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-220900-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-
West Marshall-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Towner-Cavalier-
Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh County-Eddy-Nelson-
Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-
Richland-Western Walsh County-
357 AM CDT Sat Apr 21 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Increasing winds and low relative humidity values in portions of
northwestern Minnesota could bring near critical fire weather
conditions for Sunday afternoon.

Lingering snowmelt will continue to move into the river systems,
as overnight lows will be near or above freezing. Please refer to
the latest hydrologic and flood statements for the latest
information on river flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.