BISMARCK, N.D. — A rapidly developing winter storm has swept through a significant part of the upper Midwest, bringing heavy snow, ice, strong winds, and frigid temperatures. This severe weather has disrupted travel in the Twin Cities and led to the closure of an interstate highway in North Dakota.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings across vast regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. Many interstate highways experienced hazardous conditions as they became covered with snow, resulting in numerous minor collisions and vehicles sliding off the roads, though injuries have been reported without any fatalities at this time. In Minnesota, up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of snow were anticipated, particularly affecting the Twin Cities, where the morning rush hour was significantly delayed due to increased snowfall and various accidents.
North Dakota appears to be facing the brunt of the storm. Winds gusting up to 50 mph (80 kilometers per hour) were recorded from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Although accumulations were mostly below 6 inches (15 centimeters)—considered manageable by North Dakota’s standards—the road conditions were still perilous.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol reported that 15 individuals were injured early Thursday after a truck skidded on an icy roadway in the state’s southwest region, colliding with a van and an SUV. This incident took place amidst harsh winds and blowing snow near Reeder, approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers) from Bismarck. Among those injured were young people aged between 8 and 18, with five sustaining serious injuries, as stated by the highway patrol.
Freezing rain exacerbated conditions on the roads. In response, the North Dakota Highway Patrol issued a travel advisory, urging citizens to avoid using the roads. Large vehicles in the northwestern area were particularly affected, with a halt on oversize loads imposed indefinitely.
A section of Interstate 94 in North Dakota, measuring 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Montana state line, was temporarily closed for about 90 minutes Thursday morning due to poor conditions caused by snow and ice, leading to trucks becoming stuck on the roadway.
“It’s a section of the Badlands that goes through that area, so there are quite a few hills,” noted highway patrol Sgt. Coby Hubble, mentioning that several commercial vehicles were unable to navigate the terrain and were consequently immobilized.
In parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota, an additional 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 centimeters) of snow are expected, with forecasters warning of gusty winds that may result in whiteout conditions throughout the day.
Flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport faced disruptions due to the inclement weather, with the airport reporting delays for 63 incoming flights and 89 departures by early afternoon.
Phil Helfrich, who was filling up his vehicle in the windy and sparse terrain of Bismarck, expressed his determination to travel to Denver for a visit with his grandchildren. He was prepared for the journey, equipped with snow tires and a winter survival kit. “I’m excited and my grandboys are excited,” he shared.
In some respects, this snowfall was eagerly awaited, as the Twin Cities had received less than 3 inches (8 centimeters) of snow leading up to this week, despite typically accumulating over a foot (30 centimeters) by mid-December. However, it remains uncertain if the snow will persist long enough to create a white Christmas, as forecasts indicate a snow-free period for much of the upper Midwest, with temperatures expected to rise above freezing early next week.
