Snow, wind expected to make travel difficult Thursday

Dec. 15—JAMESTOWN — A winter storm dropped another 2 inches of snow Wednesday into Thursday morning, Dec. 14-15, and expected snowfall mixed with wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph could affect travel.

The Jamestown area could get another 3 to 6 inches of snow Thursday into Friday morning, said Todd Hamilton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck.

The North Dakota State Hospital reported 2 inches of snow Wednesday into Thursday morning. Jamestown received 9 inches of snow Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

Hamilton said the winds Thursday will be around 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 to 50 mph.

"We are expecting possibly near-blizzard conditions at times," he said. "Before today, I think the main impacts were the heavy snow. Today we are going to see the winds added to that. It's only going to make travel hazards worse than they have been."

A winter storm warning remains in effect for Foster, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, Stutsman and Wells counties until 6 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16.

Hamilton said at about 9:40 a.m. Thursday the winter storm is coming from the east and getting close to Jamestown.

"If it hasn't started to snow moderately in Jamestown right now, it probably will here pretty soon and continue at least for the next few hours for sure probably through the morning and possibly even into the afternoon," he said.

A no-travel advisory was issued for Barnes, Dickey, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Sheridan and Stutsman counties shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday. A no-travel advisory means conditions are such that motorists should not travel in these areas due to hazardous winter weather driving conditions.

A travel alert was issued for Eddy, Foster and Wells counties earlier Thursday morning. A travel alert means conditions are such that motorists can still travel in these areas but should be advised of rapidly changing winter driving conditions.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol opened U.S. Highway 52 from Minot to Jamestown. Interstate 94 remains closed from Dickinson to Jamestown.

Currently, motorists could encounter blowing snow, reduced visibility and compacted snow and ice on the highways, said Sgt. Evan Savageau with the patrol.

"So, they are slick," he said.

Savageau said high wind speeds will make travel extremely difficult as the wind picks up mixed with the snow.

"We just ask people to stay in tune with what the weather is doing and then follow our travel information map and use really sound judgment if you think travel is necessary today," he said. "If it's not an emergency or an absolutely necessity to travel, use your best decision making on that."