National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

A Significant Spring Storm Impacting the Central U.S. This Week

A significant late-season winter storm will bring an expanding area of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Further south, severe thunderstorms are expected from the southern Plains into the southern Great Lakes. A multi-day excessive rain and flooding event will impact the Ozarks into the Ohio Valley through Saturday. Read More >

 

20 years ago (April 4-7, 1997) North Dakota was hit with a Major Blizzard, bringing much of the state to a complete halt. Heavy snowfall (as much as 2 feet in some areas), and winds to 65 MPH, resulted in widespread impacts. This included 100,000 head of cattle killed (10% of the state herd), widespread power outages, and stranded numerous motorists. Damages totaled just under 45 million dollars. The additional snow at Bismarck (17.5 inches), brought the season snowfall total to 101.4 inches. This set an all-time seasonal snowfall record for Bismarck, which still stands today.