Early-week snow, blizzard conditions to create difficult travel across north-central US
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The first week of March will roar in with travel-disrupting snow,
strong winds and blizzard conditions across the north-central United
States.
After spreading accumulating snow over the northern and
central Rockies this weekend, snow and wind will ramp up across the
northern Plains Sunday night into Monday.
The winds combining with
the snow will lead to local whiteout and blizzard conditions, according
to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.
The worst of the blizzard is expected across the Dakotas, from Minot and Bismarck, North Dakota, to Pierre, South Dakota.
Snow will blow and drift across roadways and the open landscape,
making driving difficult, if not impossible, along stretches of
interstates 90 and 94.
Anyone who must travel is encouraged to
pack a winter survival kit in the event you become stranded. Officials
may be forced to close some roads.
While the worst conditions rage to the west, windswept snow can still
reduce visibility and create treacherous travel in Fargo, North Dakota;
Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota; and Green Bay, Wisconsin.
There is the potential for many communities to pick up 6 inches or more of snow with this storm across the north-central U.S.
“Bismarck
has only received around 18 inches of snow so far this season and could
receive around a foot or more from this event alone,” Rathbun said.
Precipitation
will start with rain and/or a bit of ice across the Dakotas, Minnesota
and Wisconsin prior to colder air wrapping into the storm.
Snow
may struggle to stick to roads and sidewalks initially in these areas.
However, as the temperature plummets and the ground cools, motorists and
pedestrians will need to be wary of slick travel.
"Commuters in Minneapolis will face worsening conditions through
Monday as the snow continues to pile up with the heaviest snowfall
expected for the afternoon," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina
Pydynowski said.
The heavy burst of snow may cause roads to quickly become covered and treacherous for motorists.
"Flight
delays and cancellations can quickly mount around Minneapolis on Monday
afternoon," Pydynowski said. "Anyone with plans later Monday should
prepare for postponements."
The band of snow will continue to
sweep eastward and create slippery travel for a time over Michigan and
surrounding areas on Monday night and Tuesday. This snow will graze
Chicago and Detroit.
The worst of the snowstorm will be over by
Tuesday. However, there can still be pocket of heavier snow that may
lead to minor travel disruptions across the north-central U.S.
"While the snow will gradually wind down on Tuesday, disruptions to
travel and daily routines may persist longer in Minneapolis; Sioux
Falls, South Dakota; and Bismarck as crews work to clear roads,"
Pydynowski said.
The southern portion of the nation's midsection will avoid snowy conditions but may face other hazards from the storm.
"While
the snow falls to the north, winds strong enough to cause power outages
and overturn high-profile vehicles along I-80 and I-70 will gradually
sweep southward across the central Plains Monday into Tuesday,"
Pydynowski said.
If any wildfires ignite to end the weekend, the winds would create issues for firefighting efforts.
Calmer conditions are expected to return at midweek as the storm restrengthens along the Northeast coast, causing residents to face more power outages and travel disruptions.
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