National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Fire Weather Concerns for Southern California; Wind and Snow for the Northern Plains and Rockies

An upper level trough will impact the central and northern Rockies including the Great Basin today with moderate to locally heavy snow showers and gusty winds. This system then moves out onto the northern Plains and upper Midwest into Sunday. In its wake, high pressure will move across the Great Basin on Sunday into early next week. This will increase winds and fire weather concerns for California 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.