Winter weather headed to the valley

 

The National Weather Service office in Grand Forks has issued Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories for much of the region for a winter storm that is set to hit the region tonight through Friday.

Winter Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the counties of Foster, Kidder, Stutsman, Sioux, Emmons, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh and Dickey.

The weather service says the advisory began around 7 p.m. this evening and is set to expire at 7 a.m. on Friday.

Snow and freezing rain is expected, with total snow accumulations of four to six inches. Ice is also anticipated. The weather service says one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulations are possible for portions of south central and southeastern North Dakota.

Winter Storm Warning

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Cavalier, Pembina, Ramsey, Walsh, Eddy, Nelson, Grand Forks, Griggs, Steele, Traill, Barnes, Cass, Ransom and Sargent counties in North Dakota; and Western Polk, Kittson and Western Marshall counties in Minnesota.

The storm warning went into effect earlier this evening and is in effect until 1 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Snow and a wintry mix is expected, with total snow accumulations of four to six inches expected. Ice accumulations of up to one-tenth of an inch is possible.

In addition to the snow and ice, wind is going to be a concern.

Winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour could cause blowing and drifting snow concerns in open areas on Thursday into Thursday night.

Travel will be very difficult, the weather service says, and will affect morning and evening commutes.

What to expect

Valley News Live Chief Meteorologist Hutch Johnson tells WZFG News that there will be numerous impacts over the next several days.

“Liquid moisture (snow, rain and sleet, all melted into water) will be over one inch in many locations,” he says. “Along with snowfall between five and 10 inches, with isolated amounts up to one foot in northwestern Minnesota.”

There is also a chance of freezing rain in some areas, but Johnson says that will “be difficult to quantify with temperatures in the 40s still tonight (Wednesday).”

“This lasts into Friday morning,” Johnson says. “So, hunker down.”