Wintry Weather Moves into the Region with Slick Roads and Blustery Conditions
A mix of wintry precipitation, including snow, made its way into northeastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota throughout the day on Sunday, creating slick road conditions across the region. As moisture continues to push south from Canada, it will impact travel and visibility, particularly on Monday.
Snow and Wind on Monday:
By early Monday morning, wrap-around moisture will push southward from Canada, reaching areas such as the James River and southern Red River Valley around 5 to 6 a.m.
By 8 a.m., snow will fully cover the Lakes Country region. Snow showers will drift eastward after 1 p.m., and expected snowfall totals range from 1-3 inches in northern Lakes Country to less than 1 inch elsewhere.
In addition, wind gusts between 30 and 50 mph will be widespread throughout the region, creating blowing snow, reduced visibility, and dangerous road conditions. Winds could also knock over unsecured outdoor items, so residents should secure their belongings.
Wind gusts are expected to drop below 30 mph by 7 p.m., improving visibility and road conditions. Due to these factors, Monday has been declared a First Alert Weather Day.
The strong northwesterly wind will bring a drop in temperatures through Monday, falling from the low 30s in the morning to the 20s by the afternoon.
Combined with snow and wind, road conditions will be especially treacherous. Drivers should plan extra time for their commutes and stay tuned to Valley News Live for updates.
Tuesday – Wednesday: Snow Showers & Cold Air
Light snow showers are expected again on Tuesday, though winds will be significantly calmer compared to Monday, reducing blowing snow. Temperatures will also take a further dip, with lows reaching the low teens.
By Wednesday, a surge of cold air from northern Canada will push morning lows into the negatives and highs into the single digits. It will be a frigid midweek period, so dressing warmly is highly recommended.
Thursday – Friday: Continued Cold with Sunshine
The cold air from Wednesday will linger into Thursday, with morning temperatures ranging from negative single digits to even negative teens. Afternoon highs will only reach single digits.
However, skies will mostly clear and bring sunshine to the area, providing some relief from the cold. Friday will see similar conditions but will be slightly warmer, with highs in the teens under mostly sunny skies.
Next Weekend: A Return to Average December Temperatures
Temperatures will return to seasonal averages for mid-December by the weekend. Afternoon highs are expected to be in the mid-20s, while morning lows will remain above average in the teens. Partly cloudy skies will allow for some sunshine, contributing to a quiet and calm weekend.
Early Next Week: Seasonably Cool Conditions
Heading into early next week, the mid-December pattern will stay seasonably cool with highs in the teens and low 20s and lows in the low teens. Most of next week will remain dry, aside from isolated flurries on Monday. Skies will largely remain mostly cloudy, but the week will remain cool and uneventful.
Fargo 7-Day Forecast
- Monday: Snow showers, windy, and blustery. Low: 22 (afternoon) | High: 30 (morning)
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with spotty snow showers. Low: 14 | High: 18
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy and very cold. Low: -5 | High: 0
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, cold. Low: -10 | High: 3
- Friday: Mostly sunny with seasonable temperatures. Low: 0 | High: 20
- Saturday: Partly cloudy skies, slightly warmer. Low: 15 | High: 26
- Sunday: Partly cloudy skies. Low: 20 | High: 28
Residents should plan accordingly as roads remain slick and cold temperatures persist through the week.
