Bismarck, North Dakota – Snow will spread across nearly all of North Dakota tonight, coating highways with up to 5 inches by sunrise Saturday and setting up slick travel for the morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Bismarck, a Winter Weather Advisory begins at 9 p.m. CST in western and southwestern counties including Williams, McKenzie, Stark and Morton, then expands east at midnight to include Bismarck, Jamestown, Oakes and surrounding communities. Advisories remain in effect until 9 a.m. CST in the west and noon CST farther east. Snow totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected statewide.
Snow will first impact Williston, Dickinson and Watford City late this evening before reaching Mandan and Bismarck overnight. By early Saturday, accumulating snow will extend into Jamestown, Edgeley and Ellendale. I-94 from Dickinson to Jamestown, Highway 83 through Bismarck, and U.S. 85 in the northwest may turn snow-packed before daybreak.
North Dakota DOT urges drivers to check 511 road conditions and allow extra stopping distance. Even 2 inches of fresh snow can quickly cover treated pavement overnight.
Snow tapers from west to east late Saturday morning, but slippery stretches could linger into early afternoon. Additional advisories remain possible if bands intensify overnight.
