Grand Forks, North Dakota – Drivers along I-29 should prepare for sudden drops in visibility to one-half mile or less by Tuesday morning as snow and strong northwest winds combine to create blowing snow across the northern Red River Valley.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, a low-pressure system tracking along the International border will bring accumulating snow between midnight and noon Tuesday, with the highest totals near and north of the low’s path. Parts of far northern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota could see 1 to 2 inches of snowfall, followed by gusty northwest winds that may reach 35 to 40 mph. The combination is expected to produce areas of drifting snow and sharply reduced visibility.
The greatest travel impacts are expected along and east of I-29, including Grand Forks, Grafton and into Thief River Falls, Minnesota. On I-94 near Fargo and U.S. Highway 2 west toward Devils Lake, lighter snowfall amounts are forecast, but wind gusts may still create patchy blowing snow in open country.
North Dakota DOT and Minnesota DOT crews will monitor conditions as visibility fluctuates Tuesday morning. Rural highways such as U.S. 59 and U.S. 281 could see brief whiteout conditions in exposed areas. Motorists should slow down, use low-beam headlights in falling snow and carry a winter emergency kit if traveling outside city limits.
Snow should taper from west to east by early afternoon Tuesday, but gusty winds may continue to loft snow into the evening hours. Additional statements could be issued if bands shift or visibility drops below one-quarter mile at times.
