Autumn on it’s way
Posted by Ryan
The forecast for Grand Forks was notable for one good reason. Low temperatures were supposed to dip to the low 40s, a downright autumnal feel. They did just that, but summer had a last gasp. getting temperatures up to the mid 80s on Tuesday. Victoria-Weather was the warmest forecaster on Tuesday, and carried through to the end result, where we were the tops in Grand Forks.
Actuals: Tuesday - Trace of precip, High 84, Low 43
Wednesday - .03 inches of rain in thunderstorms, High 71, Low 49
Grade: B
Grand Forks, North Dakota to Ames Iowa
Posted by Ryan
Today's trip will cover exactly 8 hours. Right on the nose. How about that. It's a 528 mile journey, so if you do the math, that means we'll average about 66mph, thanks to driving that will exclusively cover interstates. Let's just hope that Ames isn't underwater when we arrive. For once, Grand Forks isn't.
The trip will get off to a somewhat rocky start with a cold front sweeping into northern Minnesota. Overnight, there could be a little bit of severe weather in eastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota. The boundary isn't moving terribly quickly, and we'll be able to sink south of and shower or thunderstorm activity tomorrow after we have reached the Alexandria, Minnesota area. Since it's still early in the morning, I don't think we're going to be in for any huge thunderstorms, just some nagging rain and thunder. South of the front, everything looks good. Look for the typically clear and warmer weather ahead of a front, which will envelope us all the way into Ames.
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Posted by Ryan
It's been a long stretch for residents of Grand Forks, along the Red River bordering Minnesota. Flooding seems to be a seasonal affair and lately the entire area has been raked by strong and severe thunderstorms. That seems to be at it's end at long last. Let's see if it lasts.
At 1253PM, CT, Grand Forks was reporting a temperature of 66 degrees and clear skies with gusty west-northwest winds. A broad area of low pressure over Ontario was reminiscent of a typically autumnal pattern and was pumping in the cool crisp air to much of the Upper Midwest and keeping things decidedly stable.
A steady northwesterly breeze is likely to persist thanks to the strong area of low pressure and it's associated dominant jet pattern which will keep things cool for the next 24-36 hours. An undercutting jet will develop south of North Dakota by the end of the day tomorrow, which will aid in the generation of a weak wave that will ripple along the Canadian border by Wednesday morning. Some light showers will be possible Wednesday morning followed by some reinforcing cool air during the day as the weaker low gets absorbed by the stronger system to the north.
Tomorrow - Partly cloudy (Late PM rain), High 80, Low 41
Wednesday - Morning showers, then becoming mostly cloudy, High 72, Low 50
TWC: Tomorrow - Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78, Low 44
Wednesday - Isolated thunderstorms. High 76, Low 53
AW: Tomorrow - Partly sunny and breezy (rain after 9) High 76, Low 42
Wednesday - Times of clouds and sun with a shower or thunderstorm around High 74, Low 46
NWS: Tomorrow - Partly sunny (rain after 7pm) High 76, Low 44
Wednesday - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy High 74, Low 52
WB: Tomorrow - Partly Sunny, High 76, Low 44
Wednesday - Partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, High 74, Low 52
I almost went with Weatherbug and said no rain in Grand Forks for Tuesday night, but I eventually relented. I should note that one model is putting Grand Forks at a low of 38 night tonight. That's awful. Here is the clear skies radar.
