Severe Winter Storm Hits North Central North Dakota, Causing Travel Disruptions
Minot, ND – A severe winter storm swept through North Central North Dakota this week, bringing low visibility and treacherous road conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that Minot Air Force Base experienced zero visibility late Wednesday morning, a situation seen across the region as gusts of wind reaching 60 mph contributed to widespread blowing snow.
The storm, which extended from Tuesday into Wednesday, has impacted travel significantly, with many roads becoming snow-covered and icy. Austin Kraklau from the North Central Research Extension Center recorded 5 inches of snow along with 0.52 inches of moisture, while Bottineau County reported 4 to 7 inches of accumulation.
Local authorities have responded to numerous accidents as a result of the inclement weather. The Ward County Sheriff’s Office indicated at least ten crashes occurred outside Minot city limits, while city data showed that a total of 22 incidents were reported within Minot since the onset of the storm.
Despite efforts from snowplow operators, many residential streets remained uncleared as of Wednesday afternoon, straining local resources. Utility operators like Tom Rafferty from Verendrye Electric Cooperative warned that the high winds pose a risk to power lines, advising residents to report any downed lines immediately.
As conditions were expected to improve following the storm, local meteorologists urged caution, particularly in open areas where travel could be dangerous or impossible. The NWS anticipates that blowing snow will continue until around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and exercise caution while navigating the aftermath of this winter weather event.
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