Fargo, North Dakota – Roads across the Red River Valley could quickly turn icy overnight as freezing rain develops, threatening hazardous travel across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota before the Friday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from midnight tonight through 6 p.m. Friday for much of northwest and west-central Minnesota along with parts of southeast North Dakota. Areas including Fargo, Moorhead, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Thief River Falls, Wahpeton, and Fergus Falls could see up to 0.1 inches of ice with light snow totals near 1 inch.
The icing threat will begin overnight as precipitation transitions to freezing rain and freezing drizzle, creating slick roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. Major travel corridors including Interstate 94 near Fargo and Moorhead, U.S. Highway 2 near Grand Forks, and Highway 10 through Detroit Lakes could become hazardous during the morning commute.
A separate advisory already in place for Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Cavalier, and surrounding northeast North Dakota communities continues until 9 a.m. Friday, where freezing rain may redevelop tonight after a brief lull this afternoon.
Drivers should slow down and check 511 road services for the latest travel conditions before heading out.
Icy roads may persist through Friday evening, especially on untreated bridges and rural highways across the Red River Valley.
