Thu, Oct 5th, 2023 - 9:43am
October 11, 2019 - 5:20pm | By Chris Larson
The National Weather Service says the ‘crippling winter storm’ is anticipated to last through the day on Saturday.
The latest situation report, released by the National Weather Service on Friday afternoon just before 2 p.m., calls for upwards of more than two feet of snow to hit the north-central part of North Dakota, with Langdon anticipating reaching the 30-inch mark. In the Red River Valley, lighter snowfall is anticipated, with areas near Grand Forks and south anticipating eight to 12 inches, and the F-M metro receiving six to eight inches in the storm.
The ‘crippling’ part of the storm is when the winds are factored in. Much of the Devils Lake basin is anticipating winds gusts between 45 and 60 miles per hour, while the Red River Valley will have wind gusts between 30 and 45 miles per hour.
Earlier Friday afternoon, Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner told WZFG News that the bridge decks within Cass County were beginning to get slippery, and that he advised drivers to use caution when driving.
North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind also told WZFG News that North Dakota state highways north of Jamestown and west of Grand Forks are closed. Early Friday afternoon, Niewind said 50 vehicles had to be stranded east of Jamestown.
In the Northern Valley, Walsh County Sheriff Ron Jurgens said the Park River area has received approximately 18 inches of snow through late Friday afternoon, while residents in the Grafton area reported approximately a foot of snow through the same time period.
Jurgens said roads are becoming impassable in the county.
On the Minnesota side of the river, Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting told WZFG earlier this afternoon that roads were in good condition, but were wet.
I-94 westbound, from Fargo to Bismarck; I-94 eastbound, from Bismarck to Valley City; I-29 from Grand Forks to the Canadian Border; and US Highway 2 from Rugby to Larimore were all closed late Friday morning by the North Dakota Department of Transportation and North Dakota Highway Patrol.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Highway 220, in the northern Valley, is completely covered with slush and is slippery. Drivers are cautioned to expect blowing snow and the D-O-T says visibility is reduced.
Stay tuned to AM 1100 The Flag on the air and online at am1100theflag.com for updates on this developing news story.
