FARGO — Saturday, April 1, 2:30 p.m.: Most of the roads across the area have re-opened after being shut down by blowing and drifting snow last night. The snow has since left the region completely, and mostly clear skies have been the theme throughout the day. The heaviest of the snow in our region fell around Aberdeen and Wahpeton. Total snowfall totals around the southern portion of our region:
Faukton, SD: 14.0"
Aberdeen, SD: 7.5"
Milbank, SD: 7.0"
Roy Lake St. Park, SD: 6.5"
Hankinson, ND: 5.3"
Campbell, MN: 4.0"
Snow is likely in our region on Tuesday and Wednesday. A strong area of low pressure will develop in the central Plains during the early work week and then quickly move northeastwards into southern Minnesota. At this time, it is still too early to go into much detail about this system.
FARGO — Friday, March 31, 9:00 p.m.: Winds are gusting to 40 mph across much of southeastern North Dakota, resulting in areas of blowing snow and icy roads. Although there is no falling snow along the route, the North Dakota Department of Transportation has closed I-94 between Fargo and Bismarck until this situation improves. Wind is expected to diminish considerably overnight. I-29 is closed from the Fargo line to Watertown due to drifting snow and, further south, blizzard conditions. Travel along I-94 through west-central Minnesota is being hampered by freezing rain turning to blizzard conditions. Conditions are likely to change during the night but will be much better all over tomorrow.
Friday, March 31, 5:15 p.m.: The blizzard has fully developed across northeastern South Dakota late this afternoon, and will spread across central and southern Minnesota this evening with heavy snow and fierce winds. The storm will have moved on by morning.
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Snow forecast for Friday and Friday night.
Friday, March 31, 10:30 a.m.: Snow continues to develop in South Dakota, just barely scraping the ND/SD border with a few flurries. The heaviest of the snow will continue to move eastward as the day goes on, with the majority of the heavy snowfall staying in South Dakota and west-central Minnesota. The snow is just an addition to the very slippery roads that we have had reports on this morning. South of I-94, there have been multiple reports of very slippery roads due to a light ice accumulation.
With the majority of the storm missing most of us, the wind is a side effect we are all feeling. The north wind will stay strong through the day, with gusts as high as 40mph to the south. The wind may cause blow ice or drifting snow in open areas.
Friday, March 31, 7:00 a.m.: Very light freezing drizzle has been reported near the ND/SD border, with a few light flurries recorded in many other spots of the area. This is the very far outer band of the storm, and for most of us, is all we will get precipitation wise from the system. The main impacts will be mainly south of the I-94 and Highway 10 corridor, where the heaviest snow is still expected to fall. The snowfall cut-off will be very sharp due on the to a strong NNE wind injecting dry air into the storm.
Not only will the wind cause a sharp cut-off of snow totals, but it will also cause blowing and drifting snow, with the worst being where the most snow falls. The wind combined with the snowfall will make travel very difficult if not impossible near the tri-state area. If you have any travel plans to the south this weekend, you may want to reconsider them and allow the storm to pass.
Thursday, March 30, 9:45 p.m.: As of mid-evening tonight, there are a few minor updates. Patches of light freezing rain and light snow are beginning to cause concern that some roads will become very slippery by morning. No significant accumulations are expected tonight, however. The National Weather Service has now changed the Watch into a Winter Storm Warning for the Alexandria and Twin Cities area for Friday and Friday night. Finally, we have tightened up our snow forecast for Friday to lower the expectations of anything more than light snow anywhere except the far southern portions of our area.
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Thursday, March 30, 7:00 p.m.: As March turns into April, two more winter storms are threatening to bring significant snow to some parts of our area. The first of these is marked by a Blizzard Warning Friday for most of central and eastern South Dakota and a small part of west-central Minnesota. Five to ten inches of snow and winds gusting over 50 mph is expected. Just north of the blizzard-warned area, a Winter Storm Warning covers the southeast corner of North Dakota, including the Wahpeton area, as well as Wilkin and Ottertail counties in Minnesota. Less snow and less wind is expected here but enough for more travel problems. Only light snow is anticipated for the I-94 - U.S. 10 corridor, but it will still be a blustery day.
Preceding this storm tonight, a few patches of light snow or even scattered freezing drizzle will be possible.
This Friday storm will be gathering strength during the day Friday, with conditions worsening during the day. Some road closures appear likely, especially in eastern South Dakota. The storm will move away Friday night and the weekend looks quiet.
This storm will also be responsible for a tornado outbreak in the Mississippi River Valley Friday from western Illinois southward to the St. Louis and Memphis areas.
Another storm, presently out in the Pacific Ocean, is poised to threaten our area with snow and wind again next week around the Tuesday to Wednesday time frame. The only forecast possible with this storm as of now is from computer models, which are certain to look differently when the storm actually arrives. The path of the low and the structure, including the possibility of dry air reducing precipitation for some areas within the storm, cannot be known for a few more days. However, this storm certainly presents a chance of significant moisture. A very heavy snowfall or heavy rain would surely make our flood situation worse, so this second storm bears watching.
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