Weather Story

Hazardous Travel - Northern Red River Valley

Blowing Snow Impacts - Potential Scenarios

Blowing Snow Impacts - Onset Timing

What is a Snow Squall?

A very heavy snow shower moving through the northern Red River Valley and northwestern Minnesota will bring a brief period of low visibility and hazardous travel conditions this afternoon. The poor conditions are not expected to last long in any one area as the snow shower travels southeastward, but will make the afternoon commute hazardous for a time.

Confidence has increased in blowing snow impacting travel conditions tonight through Friday. Expect scattered / intermittent whiteout conditions to impact the Friday morning and afternoon commutes. However, there is still potential for blizzard conditions (40% chance) to develop within the Red River Valley into eastern North Dakota, significantly impacting travel conditions and the Friday morning and evening commutes. Prepare for difficult to very difficult travel conditions, especially in open country within the Red River Valley into eastern North Dakota starting tonight, lasting throughout Friday.

Here is the general expectation of when greatest impacts from blowing snow will start. Note that there is some uncertainty in these times, which may be off by 1 or 2 hours, due to uncertainty how fast a strong cold front will sweep through the area. Once impacts start, they should last through much of the day Friday, potentially lingering into Friday night and Saturday in some locations like the Red River Valley. Regardless of these uncertainties - if you have travel plans on Friday, pay attention to the forecast as confidence may not increase until as late as Friday morning. Consider alternate travel plans. Prepare for difficult to very difficult travel conditions Friday.

Snow squalls will be moving through northwestern Minnesota this evening. This explains what a snow squall is and what to expect when a warning is issued.