Grand Forks, North Dakota – Sudden bursts of snow and strong wind gusts are creating dangerous travel conditions across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota Tuesday, with visibility dropping to a quarter mile along key Northern Plains highways.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, bands of light to moderate snow are sweeping west to east across the Minnesota–North Dakota border through Tuesday afternoon. Winds gusting up to 30 mph are blowing snow across open areas, sharply reducing visibility at times along Interstate 29, U.S. Highway 2, and stretches of Highway 75.
In Fargo, Grand Forks, and into Crookston and Thief River Falls, drivers may encounter rapidly changing conditions, where clear stretches quickly turn into near-whiteout visibility. Rural roads and open farmland areas face the highest risk as wind-driven snow crosses roadways.
Transportation officials in both states urge drivers to check conditions on 511 services before traveling and to delay non-essential trips if possible. If travel is necessary, slow down, keep headlights on, and allow extra distance between vehicles.
Snow bands will shift into northwest Minnesota later Tuesday, but gusty winds may continue to cause patchy blowing snow into the evening commute. Additional travel advisories remain possible if visibility worsens.
