Much of the northern Red River region is under a winter weather advisory that begins at noon today and is set to end six hours later, the National Weather Service said.
Blame a combination of fresh snow overnight and some forecast snow showers this afternoon with strong winds that will create blowing snow, the weather service said.
Northwest winds are expected to increase around noon from 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 40 mph in the northern Red River Valley and the Devils Lake basin.
That could lead to visibility being reduced to one-half mile at times this afternoon in open country, according to the weather service.
Winds are expected to subside quickly tonight as high pressure builds into the region, the weather service said in a statement.
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Until then, the snow blown onto roads will create slick driving conditions, so caution is advised.
Extended forecast
Here's the extended forecast for Grand Forks from the National Weather Service:
Today: A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Windy, with a west northwest wind 11 to 14 mph increasing to between 28 and 31 mph. Winds could gust as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around -5. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 22 and 25 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Wind chill values as low as -20. Breezy, with a south wind 6 to 9 mph increasing to between 21 and 24 mph. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 13 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 44. West southwest wind around 11 mph.
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Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Monday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
