Fargo, ND – A powerful winter storm is poised to impact North Dakota, northern Minnesota, and northwest Wisconsin early this week, threatening to disrupt Thanksgiving travel across the Upper Midwest with heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous driving conditions, according to the National Weather Service offices in Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Duluth.
Multiple Winter Storm Watches are in effect from Monday night through Wednesday, with snow totals expected to range from 4 to 12 inches, and locally higher amounts possible near Lake Superior and northern Iron County, Wisconsin. Winds could gust up to 45 mph, creating areas of blowing and drifting snow and near-whiteout visibility on major routes including Interstate 94, Highway 2, and U.S. 71.
The storm will move in from the west Monday evening, intensifying overnight across central and southern North Dakota before spreading east into Fargo, Grand Forks, Bemidji, Duluth, and Brainerd through Tuesday and Wednesday. The NWS warns that the Tuesday morning and evening commutes could be especially treacherous due to accumulating snow and rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
Drivers are urged to prepare now, monitor updated forecasts, and consider delaying or rerouting travel ahead of the busy Thanksgiving rush.
