Another storm system is expected to bring more snow to the region today, and the National Weather Service said Grand Forks could see up to 2 inches of snow by Sunday.
But senior meteorologist Nancy Godon said the Red River Valley likely will miss the heaviest band of snowfall from this storm. Areas of east central North Dakota, including Devils Lake, Valley City and Jamestown, could get 3 to 5 inches of snow by Sunday.
Even though forecasters don't expect Grand Forks and other areas in eastern North Dakota to get much more than 2 inches of snow, Godon said things could change as the storm system moves into the region from Canada.
"We're going to be right on the edge between significant accumulations and dusting amounts," she said. "If the system shifts a bit we could be on the heavier side, or if it moves west even less for us."
Nearly all of central North Dakota is under a winter weather advisory until early Sunday morning. Early Saturday, the North Dakota Depapartment of Transportation issued a no travel advisory in Wells and Foster counties.
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The winter weather advisory does not include the Red River Valley, and northwest Minnesota should end up with less than 1 inch of new snow over the weekend.
Second wave
Grand Forks is forecast to reach a high of about 18 degrees today, and nighttime winds from 15 to 18 mph, combined with a low of about 2 degrees, will create wind chills as low as 17 degrees below zero.
Godon said the storm's snowfall should taper off early Sunday, but that's when the second part of the system moves in and wind speeds increase, possibly making travel dangerous. She expected the windy conditions to last until Monday.
"They're not extremely strong, but if you have a couple inches of snow, we'll have to see if that causes reduced visibility and travel hazards," she said.
The region is expected to see winds of 15 to 25 mph on Sunday with gusts as high as 30 mph, which will make Grand Forks' high of 11 degrees feel like 19 below. Temperatures will drop to about 4 below for the night.
Once the storm passes through, a high-pressure system will be above the region. Godon said it's a "trade-off" because the system will keep temperatures cooler than average for the week but also result in less precipitation.
Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send e-mail to rjohn-son@gfherald.com .
