A winter storm is possible across the Devils Lake Basin into parts of the northern Red River Valley, including Grand Forks, by this evening into Friday, the National Weather Service reported late Wednesday.
The storm has moved from Colorado into western South Dakota and is moving northeast into North Dakota. The weather service adjusted its forecast more than once Wednesday to keep ahead of the changing conditions.
The heaviest snow still is expected in central and southern parts of North Dakota -- as many as 8 inches.
Snow amounts in eastern North Dakota are not projected to be as heavy; in fact, the snow may not accumulate, as temperatures should remain near 40 during the day.
But wind speeds will get up to 25 to 30 mph, so there may be travel hazards, the weather service said.
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The exact track of the storm could change quite a bit and will depend on how long it lingers; some areas of northeast North Dakota could get an inch or more of snow.
A winter storm watch will remain over much of east-central and northeastern North Dakota beginning this evening, lasting into Friday morning. A winter storm watch means there is the potential for significant snow, sleet or ice that could affect travel.
The weather service projects the heaviest amount of snow in the Jamestown area and the James River Valley, beginning early today, with a range of 5 inches to 7 inches by Friday. Meteorologist Janine Vining said the moisture might start out as rain and not change to snow until tonight. The light rain is expected to turn to light snow in parts of the Red River Valley, including the Grand Forks area, late Thursday into Friday morning.
Northwest Minnesota is expected to escape the snow.
The far western part of North Dakota could get an inch or two of a rain-snow mix and an area stretching from Grant and Sioux counties to Bismarck could get between 2 inches and 5 inches, according to the latest forecast. Winds are expected to increase by tonight.
The storm was developing Wednesday in Colorado and Wyoming, and forecasters said 8 inches of snow fell in Whiteclay, Neb., near the South Dakota border.
Forecasters say strong winds late tonight are expected to cause hazardous conditions, including some possible blizzard conditions at times, mostly in central and southern North Dakota.
In northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, light rain should continue this morning, with temperatures not getting much above 45 degrees. The light rain will continue into Friday morning when it is likely to start turning into light snow with winds 35 to 40 mph. Through the weekend, conditions will be drier, with cloudy skies, highs in the mid-40s and lows in the low to mid-20s.
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Winter storm conditions late tonight and into Friday will be more serious west of the Devils Lake basin.
