Snow. Blowing and drifting snow after midnight. Snow accumulation of 2 to 3 inches. Lows 10 to 15. Windy. Northwest winds around 15 mph increasing to north around 25 mph after midnight. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
Christmas Day
Snow. Blowing and drifting snow with visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow may be heavy at times. Snow accumulation of 5 to 7 inches. Highs 15 to 20. Windy. North winds 25 to 35 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
Friday Night
Snow. Blowing and drifting snow with visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Windy. Snow may be heavy at times. Lows 5 to 10. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
Saturday
Snow likely. Blowing and drifting snow. Windy. Highs 10 to 15. Chance of snow 70 percent.
... Winter Storm Warning now in effect until noon CST Saturday...
The Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow and blowing snow is now in effect until noon CST Saturday.
* Periods of light snow will fall today and tonight. Snow heavy at times along with considerable blowing snow will occur Christmas day through Saturday morning.
* Total snowfall amounts from Wednesday night through Saturday of 12 to 18 inches are likely with higher amounts possible closer to the South Dakota border.
* Winds will become northwest and increase to 20 to 30 mph tonight and Christmas day causing near blizzard conditions in blowing and drifting snow. Strong winds combined with heavy snow may create snow drifts that may cause some roads to become impassable.
* Anyone with travel plans for Christmas eve and Christmas day should monitor later forecasts for updates.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel... keep an extra flashlight... food... and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 9:14 am CST on December 24, 2009
Heavy snow reports
Location snow fall time/date (inches) of observation lat Lon North Dakota
... Cass County... 2 NE Fargo 6.0 M 832 am 12/24 46.90n 96.79w
Snow reports
Location snow fall time/date (inches) of observation lat Lon Minnesota
... Becker County... 14 NE Detroit Lakes 3.0 M 857 am 12/24 46.96n 95.63w
... Clay County... Sabin 4.2 M 700 am 12/24 46.78n 96.65w
... Clearwater County... Lake Itasca 2.0 M 857 am 12/24 47.25n 95.21w Long Lost Lake 3.5 M 857 am 12/24 47.19n 95.42w
... Norman County... Halstad 4.0 M 842 am 12/24 47.35n 96.82w
... Otter Tail County... Ottertail 3.0 M 540 am 12/24 46.43n 95.56w 3 S Dalton 3.3 M 857 am 12/24 46.13n 95.92w
... Red Lake County... Red Lake Falls 2.7 M 857 am 12/24 47.89n 96.27w
... Wadena County... 2 S Wadena 4.5 M 857 am 12/24 46.41n 95.13w
... Wilkin County... Breckenridge 2.6 M 832 am 12/24 46.26n 96.59w Rothsay 3.0 M 515 am 12/24 46.47n 96.29w
Location snow fall time/date (inches) of observation lat Lon North Dakota
... Cass County... Fargo 5.3 M 700 am 12/24 46.88n 96.82w West Fargo 5.5 M 405 am 12/24 46.87n 96.90w
... Grand Forks County... Grand Forks 3.4 M 600 am 12/24 47.92n 97.07w
... Pembina County... Pembina 2.0 M 645 am 12/24 48.97n 97.25w 7 NW Cavalier 3.0 M 857 am 12/24 48.87n 97.73w
... Ramsey County... Devils Lake 2.0 M 832 am 12/24 48.11n 98.87w Starkweather 3.0 M 730 am 12/24 48.45n 98.88w
... Richland County... Lidgerwood 2.5 M 648 am 12/24 46.07n 97.15w
... Sargent County... Forman 2.0 M 725 am 12/24 46.11n 97.64w Havana 3.3 M 748 am 12/24 45.95n 97.62w
... Traill County... Mayville 4.4 M 700 am 12/24 47.50n 97.33w
... Walsh County... Lankin 3.5 E 640 am 12/24 48.31n 97.92w