The snow took longer to melt across the eastern edge of the northern Red River Valley, although it did melt earlier along the western edge of the valley. At the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks, the snow depth fell to zero on April 6th.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS FGF wrote it up.
The snow took longer to melt across the eastern edge of the northern Red River Valley, although it did melt earlier along the western edge of the valley. At the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks, the snow depth fell to zero on April 6th. However, a blizzard from April 10th to 12th brought more snow to the area. This snow finally melted by April 15th. As the snow melted, it flooded low lying areas and roads. Some sections of land pooled with water from the snow melt, but more so closer to the Red River. High resolution satellite imagery showed a lake of water where the Red River normally would be, from northern Grand Forks County to Pembina County. In the city of Grand Forks, the point bridge and the Sorlie bridge were closed due to high water in the Red River.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 18, 11:37 AM CST, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 1237 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 .UPDATE... Issued at 1237 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 Pretty minimal shower activity still looks to remain in the Devils Lake region this afternoon. Elsewhere, there is a lot less cloud cover than anticipated. Even though temperatures aloft are very cold, models show sinking motion over the Red River Valley. For this reason, anticipate much less cumulus formation this afternoon than at this time yesterday. Temperatures are responding nicely too, with some locations already above 50 degrees. Overall, a great afternoon expected. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 340 AM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 Some rain showers may persist this morning, but most have ended. With moist air and light winds fog is expected this morning across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Much of the fog is expected to be patchy, but areas of dense fog are likely around North Dakota and Minnesota this morning. Some rain chances return this afternoon west of the Red River Valley with favorable lapse rates. Little shear and weak instability will limit chances for thunderstorm development. Some CAMs, like the HRRR, do suggest the chance for thunderstorm development in the Devils Lake Basin as it has more CAPE around 500 J/kg. Other CAMs have lower CAPE and keep the development limited to showers. Will need to monitor instability throughout the day to determine the chances for thunderstorm development. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 340 AM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 The extended forecast features seasonal temperatures and low chances for precip through the period. Ahead of a weak cold front drifting south during the day Saturday temperatures will range from south to north greatly as clouds and precip keep temps in the 50s north and will see near 70 in the south. The front will also bring shower chances primarily across the northern tier of counties along the International border with a tenth or two of rain possible. For Easter Sunday expecting dry conditions with a north breeze and temps in the 50s around 60 as weak sfc high pressure approaches from the west in zonal flow aloft. For the rest of the period temps to range from daytime highs in the mid 50s to low 60s and lows in the mid 30s to low 40s which are normal for the latter half of April. Slight showers chances will depend on timing and placement of weak wave with limited moisture depicted at differing times moving across the area Tuesday or Wednesday. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1237 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 There may still be some cumulus development this afternoon, so threw in a FEW040 layer for now. Otherwise anticipate light winds tonight, which may result in some patchy fog again. Will not mention any fog at this point, but it is possible toward morning. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 340 AM CDT Wed Apr 18 2019 Major to moderate flooding continues on the main stem Red River with the first snowmelt crest currently in the Drayton area working north to Pembina over the next week. A second crest from recent rain and snowmelt is working into the system with stages rising back into the major category at Fargo, Abercrombie and Grand Forks. Minor to moderate flooding continues on the tributaries on the MN side and with less rain and snow less pronounced rises on the ND side with basins in NE ND seeing rivers levels at or less than bankfull. The next chance for rain will come this weekend with the best chances along and north of Highway 2 with generally a quarter inch or less expected. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. Areal and river point flood warnings continue across portions of the region. Refer to the latest flood warnings and statements for detailed information on specific locations. && UPDATE...Godon SHORT TERM...NC LONG TERM...JK AVIATION...Godon HYDROLOGY...JK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 405 AM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 MNZ001>004-007-027-029-NDZ008-016-027-029-030-039-053-190915- West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-West Marshall-West Becker-Wilkin- Pembina-Eastern Walsh County-Grand Forks-Steele-Traill-Cass- Richland- 405 AM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Widespread spring snow melt areal and riverine flooding continues along the Red River and its tributaries. Refer to the latest flood warnings and statements for detailed information on specific locations. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Widespread spring snow melt areal and riverine flooding continues along the Red River and its tributaries. Refer to the latest flood warnings and statements for detailed information on specific locations. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. MNZ005-006-008-009-013>017-022>024-028-030>032-040-NDZ006-007-014- 015-024-026-028-038-049-052-054-190915- Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington- Red Lake-East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen- South Clearwater-Hubbard-East Becker-West Otter Tail- East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Towner-Cavalier-Benson-Ramsey-Eddy- Nelson-Griggs-Barnes-Ransom-Sargent-Western Walsh County- 405 AM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Areas of fog this morning, with some patchy dense fog. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, April 2019
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 809062, 809064, 809065.