Minneapolis, MN – A dangerous winter storm is set to sweep across the Upper Midwest late Wednesday through Thursday, bringing blizzard conditions, strong winds, blowing snow, and hazardous travel from eastern Montana to North Dakota and northern Minnesota.
According to multiple National Weather Service offices, Blizzard Warnings are in effect across northeast Montana, including Glasgow, Wolf Point, Scobey, Sidney, and Glendive, where 60–70 mph wind gusts and 1–3 inches of new snow are expected from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. Whiteout conditions are likely, especially in exposed terrain.
Farther east, the Bismarck office continues Winter Storm Watches for much of central and northern North Dakota. Sheridan, Wells, Foster, Stutsman, Ward, Bottineau, and Rolette counties could see 1–4 inches of snow with 55–65 mph gusts. A brief period of freezing rain is possible early Wednesday evening across the Turtle Mountains, followed by wind chills that may fall to 35 below zero Thursday morning.
In Minnesota, Winter Storm Watches stretch from Moorhead and Crookston to Roseau, Baudette, International Falls, and the North Shore. Forecasts call for 1–4 inches of snow, gusts up to 50 mph, and periods of visibility below a quarter-mile. Northern Cook and Lake counties may see 4–8 inches and a light glaze of ice Thursday into Thursday night, affecting travel through the Boundary Waters and Grand Marais area.
The storm is expected to significantly impact both the Thursday morning and Thursday evening commutes across parts of North Dakota and Minnesota. Forecasters urge residents to prepare for dangerous travel, potential power outages, and rapidly deteriorating visibility.
