FXUS63 KFGF 191955 AFDFGF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 255 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible through the weekend and into next week. Severe impacts are unlikely. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 255 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 ...Synopsis... Shortwave rotating down into the Red River Valley producing not too much in the way of convection so far, but there are some glaciated clouds entering our far northern counties. Still some decent instability and not much shear, so 20 to 30 percent chances for garden variety showers and thunderstorms seems reasonable. Most activity will taper off after sunset as we lose heating and the main shortwave pushes off to the southeast, although some of the CAMs keep some showers around Lake of the Woods throughout the night. There has been some haze in the upper levels on satellite and in the smoke models, so kept the cloud cover no lower than 30 percent. At this point the near surface concentrations look low so will keep out low level mentions for now. Not much changes with the overall pattern for the next few days as north to northwest flow with several weak shortwaves coming through. Diurnal shower and thunderstorm chances, with weak shear limiting severe potential to less than 5 percent. Temperatures should be fairly seasonal, building to above average values towards the end of the period as ridging arrives for Friday and Saturday. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1242 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2024 Some towering cumulus clouds could bring some scattered showers or even some thunderstorms, mainly to the MN airports mainly this afternoon. Not ruling out the ND side, but confidence is lower so will leave VCSH out of the TAFs for now. Convective activity in the area will dissipate after sunset leaving light and variable winds and VFR conditions. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...JR AVIATION...JR