A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through the area until 6:00 pm Wednesday before a Blizzard Warning goes into effect at 6:00 pm Wednesday until noon Thursday. It is possible the Blizzard Warning may go into effect sooner as blizzard-like to near blizzard conditions will be possible through the afternoon of Wednesday. Additionally, dangerous wind chills will accompany this storm system between -25 and -45 over the next couple of days, so Windchill warnings and advisories have been issued as well. To get the latest warning and advisories for our area, check here. or head over to the NWS KGFK website here.
Through this remainder of the afternoon and this evening, light to moderate snow will wind down with around 1-3 inches of snow in the F/M area and amounts between 2-5 possible through the southern valley. Wind will remain fairly light around 10-15 mph from the NNE until tonight when winds will pick up between 15-30 mph producing blowing and drifting snow. Winds will continue through the day of Wednesday gusting as high as 45 mph around the area causing blizzard-like to near-blizzard conditions through the afternoon. As we head into Wednesday night the main storm system begins to track to our south, bringing another round of snow to North Dakota, this will wind down by Thursday afternoon here in ND, and Thursday night in Southern Minnesota. Wind will remain windy on Thursday but lighten up through Thursday evening. Expect rough conditions the first half of the day with improving conditions later in the afternoon and evening. The good news is the core of the storm will remain south, through most of South Dakota into the southern half of Minnesota. A wide swath of nearly 12, up to 24 inches of snow is expected to fall through that area. 8-12+ in far southern North Dakota, 2-5/3-6 inches in Fargo, and a dusting to 2 inches around Grand Forks. It is a very sharp cut-off in snow amounts north and south, a slight shift could alter snow amounts forecasted into Wednesday afternoon.
See attached images below of expected snowfall (including the snow from Tuesday afternoon) by the end of the day on Thursday. Attached is the short-range HRRR and European model.
Also attached is the size of this storm with the affected areas across the United States, warnings, and advisories via NWS.
WHAT A BEAST!
Meteorologist,
Justin Storm
