Powerful Pacific System Impacting the West; First Significant Snow for Portions of the East

Power Pacific system will continue to bring significant impacts for Pacific Northwest into northern California the remainder of the week. Dangerous coastal affects, heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow continues. Meanwhile, a storm across the east is set to bring the first accumulating snow to many higher elevations of the Catskills into the central Appalachians. Read More >

Communicating Hazards and Impacts

Click on each day for more information:

Monday: Stay Informed With The NWS!
Tuesday: Be Prepared When Outdoors!
Wednesday: Stay Safe and Healthy This Winter!
Thursday: Be Vigilant to Indoor Dangers!
Friday: Travel Safe This Winter!

Your National Weather Service Forecast Offices in Bismarck and Grand Forks provide forecast and warning services for the state of North Dakota.

The National Weather Service communicates the potential for severe winter weather using three tiers, first in the Hazardous Weather Outlook, followed by a Watch and then an Advisory or Warning.

Product Type	Description	When Issued
Hazardous Weather Outlook	Designed to outline anticipated weather hazards for the next seven days and provide the first heads up to any possible severe winter weather.	At least twice per day
Watch	Issued when the confidence level for severe winter weather is at least 50% (uncertainty remains in exact timing and location of the storm).	Normally issued 36-48 hours prior to the event
Warning	Issued when there is a direct threat to life and property from severe winter weather that has a high probability of occurrence (80% or higher), or is imminent or occurring.	Normally issued 12-24 hours prior to the event
Advisory	Issued for winter weather conditions that have a high probabilty of occurrence, are imminent or already occurring, that may cause an inconvenience. If precautions are NOT taken, a situation may develop that may threaten life.	Normally issued 12-24 hours prior to the event

Product Type	Description
Blizzard Warning	When sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or greater with visibilities of less than one quarter mile for at least three hours are expected.
Winter Storm Warning	When six inches of snow in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours are expected and/or 1/2 inch of sleet accumulation (mixed precipitation and blowing snow may also be possible).
Ice Storm Warning	When 1/4 inches or more of ice accumulation is expected.
Extreme Cold Warning	When wind chill values of -40 F or colder are expected.

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Powerful Pacific System Impacting the West; First Significant Snow for Portions of the East

North Dakota Winter Weather Awareness Week