Nearly 8 inches of snow falls in Greater Grand Forks; closings and delays announced
Dec. 14—GRAND FORKS — A snowstorm that began with drizzling rain on Monday has brought 7.5 inches of snow to Greater Grand Forks, prompting delays and closing Grand Forks Public Schools.
While school is closed in Grand Forks, classes are expected to start two hours late in East Grand Forks. UND also is closed on Wednesday.
The snow began in Grand Forks late Tuesday morning; by mid-afternoon, accumulation already had begun.
The greatest snowfall in North Dakota came in Fingal, west of Fargo and just a bit south of Valley City. According to reports on WDAY Wednesday morning, Fingal received 14 inches of snow. Also, Lisbon received 13.5 inches, Valley City 12 inches, Bismarck 9 inches and Fargo 5 inches.
"It's a really wet, heavy snow," WDAY meteorologist Lydia Blume said during the station's Wednesday morning broadcast.
She said the nature of the snow is plugging roads throughout the region, but it also means area residents should use caution and pace themselves when shoveling it.
Interstate 94 is closed from Dickinson to Fargo, while the North Dakota Department of Transportation is advising no travel on roads throughout North Dakota, including — but certainly not limited to — Interstate 29 and Highway 2.
North Dakota remains in a winter storm warning. It's the same for counties in western Minnesota, although the Roseau-Warroad area is in a winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service reported early Wednesday that another 2 to 3 inches of snow could come to Grand Forks, Grafton, Thief River Falls and Langdon. Devils Lake could get another 1 to 3 inches.
"Difficult travel conditions remain possible through midday, with a lull in impacts arriving later this afternoon through tonight," the NWS reported.
High winds are expected Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will fall by the weekend, with highs around 10 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. It'll be colder next week, with highs below zero early in the week.
Following are closings, delays and other weather notes for Wednesday, Dec. 14, submitted to the Grand Forks Herald, or reported by the Herald's sister station, WDAY. Since some of these announcements were sent Tuesday evening, be aware that things could change as the day progresses:
* Grand Forks School District is closed.
* East Grand Forks School District is running two hours late.
* Delivery of print editions of the Grand Forks Herald is delayed. The editions likely will not arrive until Thursday. Subscribers have access to the Wednesday e-edition — a replica of the print edition.
* The University of Minnesota Crookston will be on reduced operations until 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 14 (classes moved online) and the children's center will be closed until 10 a.m. Normal operations will resume beginning at 10 a.m. Students should refer to Canvas course sites for expectations of their 8 a.m.-10 a.m. classes. Please continue to monitor the weather and campus announcements for any changes. If you need emergency assistance call campus security at 218-280-4240.
* The Grand Forks County Office Building and Courthouse are closed on Wednesday.
* The UND main campus will be closed all day on Wednesday. Nonessential personnel should not report to work during the closure. A UND weather team will reconvene at 7 p.m. Wednesday to reassess the situation and to determine a new campus reopening time. More information will be sent following that meeting.
* The city of East Grand Forks is declaring a snow emergency, which shall remain in effect until all streets have been cleared to their full width. During a snow emergency there is no parking allowed on city streets. Vehicles parked on the street during a snow emergency are subject to ticketing and towing.
* Grand Forks Cities Area Transit will be delaying bus service on Wednesday until 10 a.m. due to the weather. This includes both fixed route and Dial-A-Ride services. Cities Area Transit will resume service after 10 a.m. as weather allows. WDAY also reported that city offices are opening two hours late.
* The East Grand Forks Senior Center will not be open on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Because the Senior Center is not open there will not be meal service and there won't be home-delivered meals.
* Wednesday's Grand Forks residential garbage and recycling pickup is canceled. Crews will pick up Wednesday's residential garbage with Thursday's and Friday's route. Recycling for the rest of the week will be pushed back one day. Wednesday's recycling will be picked up on Thursday. Thursday's recycling will be picked up on Friday and Friday's recycling will be picked up on Saturday.
* The North Dakota Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area are closed on Wednesday. State government agency operations continue, and state team members are asked to work with their agency leaders to ensure continuity of government, including their ability to work remotely, with safety being the top priority.
