Severe thunderstorms are forecast for Wednesday, June 17, in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe storm threat for 4 p.m. Wednesday through 3 a.m. Thursday. The main threats from the storm will be hail and wind, though a tornado can't be ruled out, and slow-moving storms may lead to isolated flooding. Impacted areas could receive hail up to 2 inches and wind gusts up to 75 mph.
Thunderstorms are expected to last until Thursday morning in North Dakota and Thursday afternoon in Minnesota. Once storms dissipate, there will be a return to cooler weather. Friday is expected to be mostly sunny before a return to stormy weather, which is expected to last through the weekend.
The NWS recommends Grand Forks area residents have a way to receive weather warnings and, in case of localized flooding, reminds residents to never drive through pooled or running water.
Also in northwestern Minnesota, including East Grand Forks, near critical fire weather conditions are in effect through early evening, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. Outdoor burning is discouraged as any fires during this period may get out of control quickly.
