Winter Storm Warning: Now Through Wednesday Morning

A winter storm warning has been issued through most of North Dakota into Minnesota tonight until noon on Wednesday. Additional advisories may be warranted Thursday into Friday with a potential second burst of snow and increasing wind into Friday afternoon.

Through tonight areas of a freezing drizzle and wintery mix will track up from the SW into eastern North Dakota and continue into Tuesday morning as it turns entirely over to snow showers. Some "Minor" patchy accumulation of ice is expected through the southern and central valley with .05 to a little more than .1 inches. Higher amounts upwards of .25 are possible in the far southern valley into NE SD. I expect some slipper roads Tuesday morning commute timeframe but not widespread icy roads. By mid-afternoon about 4:00 pm, widespread heavy wet snow looks to overspread the southern valley and flood northward into Tuesday evening into the northern valley. This will create difficult traveling conditions for the evening commute and traveling plans overnight Tuesday. Tuesday will be mild temperature-wise and breezy with an ESE wind between 15-30 mph. I don't expect much for blowing and drifting snow outside from while it's snowing (which will create reduced visibility) the snow will just be too heavy in my opinion to blow around once it falls Tuesday night.

Dry air looks to punch into the system for Wednesday tapering off most of the snow showers Wednesday afternoon within the Fargo area. Still some scattered snow showers around with heavier snow remaining west in the central portion of the state. Temperatures will remain near freezing Wednesday with a ENE wind 10-25 mph. By Thursday afternoon a second bust of wrap-around snow looks likely, a north wind will begin to pick up between 10-25 mph but that should pose too much of a threat for widespread blowing snow, again mainly just while snowing do I expect areas of reduced visibility. Friday however as temperatures fall closer to 20 degrees for a high I expect scattered snow showers to continue and be more light and fluffy, this with an expected NW wind between 20-40 mph will likely cause blowing snow depending on exactly how much falls... stay tuned for a later update. Snow showers look to wind down by Friday night leaving just a slight chance for some flurries or stray snow showers Saturday. Cold air will soon barrel into the valley starting next week after this storm system exits our area.

As for snow totals, ill add a map below on expect totals based on the NWS Blend of Models by Saturday. I expect around 4-7 inches overnight Tuesday here in Fargo and an additional 1-3 inches or so on Wednesday afternoon and overnight Wednesday. Thursday and Friday remain a bit unclear but another 2-4 inches look possible. Bringing a total of about 8-14 inches of snow, most of the valley and surrounding area will fall close to a foot of snow with lesser amounts east, and higher amounts possible west of the valley upwards of 16+ depending on banding and how much dry air is pulled into the system on Wednesday.

Meteorologist,

Justin Storm