Blizzard Warning for Most of North Dakota

Not only are North Dakotans struggling with area floods, we are now experiencing additional precipitation in the form of a massive blizzard. Snowfall from this blizzard in some areas is expected to reach 18 inches. What makes this a blizzard, versus regular snow fall, is the 50 mph wind gusts accompanying the snow. The blizzard warning is scheduled to expire at 7 p.m. central time.

Wells County, North Dakota: Rain, then snow, then wind

This past weekend, we experienced beautiful spring temperatures in the upper 30s and 40s. Yesterday, the snow was melting, we could see the streets again, and the grass was beginning to show. The smell of dirt, as the snow melted, was in the air, signaling spring was here.

Then, what started out as a thunderstorm last night turned to snow overnight. City streets are again covered with snow atop slush, making streets very slippery. Due to the wind, visibility has seriously deteriorated in just an hour.

Cancellations today in North Dakota

School closings in the area include Harvey, Fessenden/Bowdon, Drake, and Anamoose due to the winter conditions and travel advisories.

Minot Catholic Schools will be closing immediately; all MSU Classes are closed as of 11 a.m.; Fort Berthold Community College classes after 3 p.m. are cancelled; Sylvan Learning Center classes cancelled in Bismarck for tonight; no parent-teacher conferences Tuesday for South Prairie School, Fessenden/Bowdon School, or Nedrose School; classes are cancelled at University of Mary. Sitting Bull College and the Anne Carlson School in Jamestown is closed. West River Head Start in New Salem will have no classes the rest of this week.

Schools with no bus service today include Strasburg, Minot Catholic Schools, Wilton, Ashley, and Wishek. Bell Elementary in Minot and Napoleon schools will have bus service where possible.

Travel Conditions for North Dakota

According to the Department of Transportation website, Interstate-94 is closed from Dickinson to Bismarck, and again from Valley City to just outside West Fargo. Drivers, be advised: when the interstate is closed, it is illegal to travel on those roads.

The rest of Interstate-94 is showing no travel advised due to visibility and road conditions, with the exception of the Fargo area, where the Interstate is open and clear.

Roads are closed in the entire middle one-third of North Dakota, north and south from Bottineau to Fort Yates, and east and west from Manning to Fessenden. Roads further east of Fessenden are wet or slushy, but travel is allowed.

There are flooded roads south of Jamestown, east of Valley City, and around the Grafton area. Travel is still allowed on these roads, but the Department of Transportation advises motorists to be alert to changing road conditions.

Sources:

KXnet.com

North Dakota Department of Transportation