Hubbard County is truly a winter wonderland. We've had 22 inches of snowfall this season - maybe 23, depending on who's counting.
The National Weather Service extrapolates snowfall totals in the area and takes reports from cooperating weather observers in the region, meteorologists say.
Totals called in for Tuesday ranged between five and six inches of new snow, so that accounts for the variation in year-to-date amounts.
Travel for today and Christmas day is expected to be good.
"We'll have a southerly flow developing, a low pressure system developing east of the Rockies," said meteorologist Geoffrey Grochocinski of the NWS office in Grand Forks.
ADVERTISEMENT
"And that'll result in southerly winds all across the Midwest and the Plains," he said. "That'll juice up some warmer air up north. Temps will be in the upper teens to maybe over 20 and a little bit of sun."
But beyond the holiday, the forecast is uncertain.
"Now the question is after Christmas Day where this low pressure system is going to go," Grochocinski said.
"We do expect some snow in the area but the models - and we use three major models - are kind of chaotic so we don't have a good feel of where it's going to go and how fast this thing's going to move and where most of the snow's going to fall.
"I'd say at this point my gut tells me your area will see some snow Friday into Friday night. And that will probably be a few inches or so."
Fargo has recorded 24 inches of snow to date while Grand Forks counts 23 inches. Both cities are already concerned about spring flooding along the Red River Valley.
By mid-morning Wednesday, numerous cars were reported in Hubbard County ditches; law enforcement authorities once again urged holiday travelers to slow down and use caution and common sense.
The Forest Riders Snowmobile Club groomed all of the trails in and around Hubbard County, including those in Itasca State park. The club issued a caution about driving on area lakes, because snow cover hides thin ice.
ADVERTISEMENT
A community of fish houses, some with Christmas lights, has sprung up on some area lakes. Ice fishers were in a festive mood. Some decorated their humble abodes inside and out.
