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Storm Bringing ‘Historic’ Snowfall to Northern Plains Storm Bringing ‘Historic’ Snowfall to Northern Plains
(about 1 hour later)
An unusually early snowstorm is crippling parts of the Northern Plains, bringing heavy gusts of wet snow and plummeting temperatures across the central United States, according to the National Weather Service.An unusually early snowstorm is crippling parts of the Northern Plains, bringing heavy gusts of wet snow and plummeting temperatures across the central United States, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters were calling the expected October snowfall across parts of North Dakota “historic,” and predicted that the storm could deliver as much as three feet of snow to parts of north central North Dakota, where blizzard warnings were in effect.Forecasters were calling the expected October snowfall across parts of North Dakota “historic,” and predicted that the storm could deliver as much as three feet of snow to parts of north central North Dakota, where blizzard warnings were in effect.
On Friday morning, as areas of the state were blanketed in more than a foot of snow, Amanda Lee, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D., said winds were gusting at about 40 to 45 miles per hour, and were expected to increase throughout the day.On Friday morning, as areas of the state were blanketed in more than a foot of snow, Amanda Lee, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D., said winds were gusting at about 40 to 45 miles per hour, and were expected to increase throughout the day.
There had not yet been any reports of power outages, she said, but it was “highly possible” because leaves were still clinging to the trees.There had not yet been any reports of power outages, she said, but it was “highly possible” because leaves were still clinging to the trees.
The storm was also packing heavy moisture, Ms. Lee said, which will make snow removal challenging.The storm was also packing heavy moisture, Ms. Lee said, which will make snow removal challenging.
“We get snow here,” she said. But, “we don’t usually talk in feet of snow.”“We get snow here,” she said. But, “we don’t usually talk in feet of snow.”
Another meteorologist for the service said Thursday that it was “the most difficult snow forecast and highest snowfall forecast of my 30 year career.”Another meteorologist for the service said Thursday that it was “the most difficult snow forecast and highest snowfall forecast of my 30 year career.”
The large storm is mixing with an “anomalously cold air mass,” which has caused temperatures to drop across the central part of the country, according to the Weather Service, which predicted “widespread” record lows from the Southern and Central Plains to the Great Basin.The large storm is mixing with an “anomalously cold air mass,” which has caused temperatures to drop across the central part of the country, according to the Weather Service, which predicted “widespread” record lows from the Southern and Central Plains to the Great Basin.
Ahead of Denver’s first snowfall of the season, the city had been basking in 80-degree weather. But on Friday, temperatures were at a record low, according to the weather service. Ahead of Denver’s first snowfall of the season, the city had been basking in 83-degree weather. But in the span of about 30 hours, the temperature dropped 70 degrees, a fluctuation that was the city’s second-largest since 1872, according to Jim Kalina, a meteorologist with the service in Denver.
Billings, Mont., also felt the quick frost, and some parts of the state reported up to 16 inches of snow, according to the Weather Service. The cold front howled through with 50- to 60-mile-per-hour winds.
As of Friday, portions of north-central North Dakota braced for the brunt, where blizzard warnings went into effect through early Saturday afternoon. “You could feel it,” Mr. Kalina said.
Billings, Mont., also felt the quick freeze, and some parts of the state reported up to 16 inches of snow, according to the Weather Service.
On Friday morning, portions of north-central North Dakota braced for the brunt, where blizzard warnings went into effect through early Saturday afternoon.
As heavy snow and high winds reduced visibility to near zero, and icy roads became treacherous for drivers, the North Dakota Department of Transportation issued a “no travel” advisory Friday morning to the central region and northeastern portions of the state.As heavy snow and high winds reduced visibility to near zero, and icy roads became treacherous for drivers, the North Dakota Department of Transportation issued a “no travel” advisory Friday morning to the central region and northeastern portions of the state.
Dozens of schools and businesses in the state were also closed.Dozens of schools and businesses in the state were also closed.
In a Facebook Live video , Carl Jones, a meteorologist with the service in Grand Forks, cautioned residents not to let their guards down.
“The worst is yet to come,” he said.