Impactful Winter Weather Event Tuesday Night In NoDak?

For those of you hoping for a white Christmas in Bismarck Mandan, there might be a shot coming your way.  In fact, Winter Storm Warnings have been posted over much of eastern North Dakota.  Including the cities of Grand Forks, Fargo and Wahpeton.  Also, from the Devils Lake basin down to Valley City and south to the South Dakota line.  Anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of snow is expected to fall in this area, along with winds gusting to 50 miles per hour.  If the winds and snow happen at the same time, look for very difficult driving conditions in this area.

For the Bismarck Mandan area, a strong low pressure system will move into the Northern Plains on Tuesday.  Light snow will be possible during the day, mainly north of highway 2.  Snow is then expected to spread across much western and central North Dakota Tuesday evening through the overnight.  Accumulations are expected to range from around one half inch in southwestern North Dakota, to as much as 3 inches in the Turtle Mountains south through the James River Valley.  Bismarck is looking at anywhere from a 1/2 of an inch to up to 2.

In addition to the chance of falling snow, strong northwest  winds will increase across western and central North Dakota Tuesday evening and overnight, with gusts as high as 50 mph.  This will lead to blowing snow late Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon, especially along and east of highway 83.  Winds will gradually diminish from northwest to southeast Wednesday afternoon.

Very cold wind chills are also expected across parts of North Dakota Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.  Values as low as 30 below are possible over northern North Dakota.

Good travel weather is expected for the Christmas holiday.