Above-normal July temperatures (that means hot) with high dew points (that means very humid) present the possibility of heat indexes near 100 both today and Saturday.
That means be careful; those are potentially dangerous heat index values, according to the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks.
There's even a potential for record or near-record high temperatures today, the weather service says. The low tonight in Grand Forks is forecast to be in the low 70s.
So, the weather service advises, stay well-hydrated during this hot, humid spell.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the temperature was 90 degrees in Grand Forks with the dewpoint at 71 percent and the heat index at 96 percent.
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Expect conditions to remain breezy, even windy today and at least part of Saturday. If it's severe storms you're concerned about, the best chance of thunderstorms - including severe ones that could include large hail, damaging winds and locally heavy rains - will occur Saturday afternoon and night as a cold front passes through.
There is some chance that isolated severe storms could appear tonight in the region.
If you dislike heat like we're experiencing today, good news for you: Cooler and drier weather is expected to push into the Red River region on Sunday, the Fourth of July. Sunday's high in Grand Forks is expected to be around 80 degrees.
The updated weather service forecast for Grand Forks:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Breezy, with a south wind between 18 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 99. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 17 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. West northwest wind between 9 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Independence Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
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Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 80.
