Grand Forks, North Dakota – Drivers across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota face slick roads and sudden drops in visibility during the Tuesday morning commute as freezing rain and powerful wind gusts sweep the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. CST for Cass and Barnes counties in North Dakota and Clay and West Becker counties in Minnesota, including Fargo, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes and Valley City. Patchy freezing rain early Tuesday is leaving a thin glaze of ice on untreated roads, bridges and overpasses.
Farther north, another advisory continues until 6 p.m. CST for communities including Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Crookston, Thief River Falls and Grafton. Winds shifting to the northwest are expected to gust between 40 and 50 mph, producing blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility along I-29, Highway 2 and rural county roads.
The strongest gusts could create brief whiteout conditions in open areas, especially across the Red River Valley. Morning and evening commutes will likely see the worst impacts as snow already on the ground is lofted into the air.
Motorists should slow down, increase following distance and check 511 road conditions before departure. Conditions are expected to gradually improve after sunset, but additional travel alerts could follow if winds remain elevated into the evening hours.
