Tonight there is a 70 percent chance of snow with widespread blowing snow, mainly before noon in Grand Forks and surrounding communities according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service has canceled a Blizzard Warning for the area. Additional snow accumulation could be about 5 to 9 inches with some areas reporting up to one foot of snow by Friday night.
North winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph today, gusting to 36 mph. Highs will be near 21. Blowing snow across the region through Friday will produce zero visibility especially in rural areas. Blizzard like conditions will likely impact Interstates 29 and 94 and U.S. Highway 2. These conditions are likely to improve Friday evening.
Tonight there will be areas of blowing snow before midnight. It will be mostly clear, with lows near 6 with north northwest winds 17 to 24 mph and gusts as high as 31 mph.
Saturday will be mostly sunny with highs near 20 and northwest winds 9 to 17 mph and gusts as high as 23 mph.
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Saturday night there will be increasing clouds with lows near 8 and west southwest winds 8 to 13 mph.
Road conditions
Driving conditions in northeastern North Dakota are reported to be in difficult condition. In northwestern Minnesota roads are reported to be in difficult condition.
The traffic speeds should be reduced in areas where there is snow and icy conditions, especially when passing on the roadways.
North Dakota highways
-- I-29 Continuous ice from Minto to the Canadian Border. Snow covered from the South Dakota line to Junction 13, and from Christine to 52nd Avenue in Fargo, to the Cass County Interchange and from Main Avenue, Fargo to the Minto Interchange. Compacted snow from Junction 13 to Christine.
-- US-2 Continuous ice from Berthold to Granville, Leeds to Lakota, Niagara to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Snow covered from the White Earth Rest Area to Berthold, Berwick to Leeds, to Lakota to Niagra, Grand Forks Air Force Base to Grand Forks. Scattered snow from the Montana line to Ray, Granville to Berwick. Scattered ice from Ray to the White Earth Rest Area.
-- US-81 Continuous ice from Minto to St. Thomas. Snow covered from Manvel to Minto, St. Thomas to Joliette.
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-- US-281 Continuous ice from New Rockford to Junction 57, north Junction 19 to Junction 2. Snow covered from the South Dakota line to Jamestown, Carrington to New Rockford, Junction 57 to north Junction 19, Churches Ferry to the Canadian Border.
-- ND-5 Continuous ice from Columbus to Lignite, Junction 52 to Renville Corner, Joliette to the Minnesota line. Snow covered from east Junction 83 to Dunseith, Rock Lake to Clyde, west Junction 20 to the Osnabrock Corner turnoff, Cavalier to Hamilton, 10 miles east of Langdon to Cavalier.
-- ND-200 Continuous ice from Mercer to Hurdsfield, Finley to Mayville. Snow covered from Crossroads to Pick City, Hurdsfield to Junction 52, Carrington to Junction 32, Mayville to Interstate 29, to the Minnesota line. Scattered snow from the Montana line to Crossroads. Scattered ice from Turtle Lake to Mercer.
Minnesota highways
-- Northwestern counties of Minnesota report that road conditions are in difficult condition. Use caution when traveling in areas where there is snow and icy patches, especially when passing vehicles.
Road construction/delays
Weather info
The following is a list of contact points for weather information in North Dakota and Minnesota:
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IN NORTH DAKOTA
-- Call 511, a telephone number developed by Meridian Environmental Technologies of Grand Forks that gives comprehensive weather and road information for the state and beyond.
-- Call (866) 696-3511 if your cell phone provider won't allow you to use the 511 system.
-- Call STAR 2121 or (701) 328-8100 with your cell phone to reach North Dakota State Radio, another option to notify authorities of mishaps.
Weather information also can be found online at:
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-- http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf
-- www.dot.nd.gov/road-map/travel.html
IN MINNESOTA
-- Call 511
And online at:
-- http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/mn/mn.html
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Road information
-- North Dakota road information telephone numbers: Call 511, a telephone number developed by Meridian Environmental Technologies of Grand Forks that gives comprehensive weather and road information for the state and beyond. Call (866) 696-3511 if your cell phone provider won't allow you to use the 511 system.
-- Minnesota State Road Information: Dial 511 from any phone in the state, or (800) 542-0220 statewide.
-- National Weather Service in Grand Forks: Web page at www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf offers continuously updated observations, forecasts and warnings.
-- National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minn.: Web page at www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/ provides Minnesota weather.
