Winter storm watches issued for North Dakota

"The upper level portion of the storm system to bring winter impacts still has many miles to travel. Heavy snowfall threat for eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota is Friday and Saturday. Rain is expected for most Wednesday night and Thursday with some snow possible Thursday in the Devils Lake basin. Still too early for snowfall total maps..." - NWS Grand Forks, ND

Situation report from the NWS Grand Forks, ND at 7:33am CDT Oct 8th. Click image for the latest information.

Wednesday through Saturday

Threat level: MODERATE

Impacts: MODERATE to HIGH (based time of year, travel impacts, public awareness, etc)

Confidence: MODERATE (based on model agreements)

Expected hazards: WINTER STORM // STRONG WINDS // BLOWING SNOW

Expected snowfall: 10-15cm

Locations impacted: extreme southeastern Manitoba // North Dakota

Expected watch: special weather statements (already issued), snowfall warnings and/or winter storm watches (already issued)

Most likely areas impacted: Trans-Canada Highway from Steinbach, MB to Kenora, ON and possibly highway 75 from Morris to US border.

Our forecast valid from Wednesday through Saturday

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 10 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Towner, Cavalier, Benson, Ramsey and Eddy Counties. * WHEN...From late Wednesday night through Friday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

"Colder air will move in behind a cold front Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. Moisture will increase northward Wednesday night with rain and snow developing in central North Dakota Wednesday overnight with rain developing in the Red River valley into Minnesota. Thursday and Thursday night will see the rain turn to snow over much of northeastern North Dakota while rain continues over much of southeastern North Dakota into Minnesota. A very narrow transition zone will occur from rain to snow and snow amounts near this zone will be extremely variable. It is important to understand this graphic only covers through Thursday night. A second system will arrive Friday into Saturday. There remains more uncertainty with that so specific snow amounts are not yet being forecasted for this second system." - NWS Grand Forks, ND