Another blizzard is working its way into North Dakota – this time, exclusively through the Red River Valley.
Greg Gust is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. He says the blizzard warning will go into effect at about midnight tonight and end at 9am tomorrow morning for the Red River Valley. Areas west of the valley in North Dakota will be under a winter weather advisory, as well as east of the valley into Minnesota. He says this system is following behind a warmer storm that’s been dropping precipitation throughout the area today, and while it won’t be bringing much snow – it will be very windy.
"Not a lot of additional snow is expected this evening and overnight, but just enough to refresh what's come in. But what you also see, is you have southerly winds that are going to go neutral and then start turning out of the west and then the northwest this evening. So by 8, 9 o'clock up in Pembina, we're going to start seeing winds at 25, gusting to 40 plus miles per hour, and then as we get closer into midnight and beyond - up into the 30 miles an hour, gusting to 40, 45, 50 miles an hour or more."
Gust says wind chills could reach anywhere from -15 to -35 below, and travel will be difficult overnight into the morning drive time hours tomorrow. Gust says if you must travel, pay attention to weather reports and be prepared with winter survival gear.