No travel advised through the night for east region of N.D.; snow plows to be pulled at 7 p.m.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol remind motorists that the No Travel Advisory for the eastern region of North Dakota will remain in effect overnight.

This includes the cities of Devils Lake, Rolla, Langdon, Grand Forks, Drayton, Fargo, Wahpeton, Valley City, Jamestown and surrounding areas due to high winds causing near blizzard conditions with blowing snow, areas of near zero visibility, scattered snow drifts, compacted snow and continuous ice on roadways. Motorists should not travel due to hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe to travel.

Snow plow operators have been working since early morning hours and throughout the day; therefore, plows will be pulled at 7 p.m. in rural areas in Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, Valley City and Jamestown. NDDOT snow plows will resume operation early Tuesday morning. Motorists should be advised that roads may become blocked overnight in these areas due to high winds creating heavy snow drifts especially in sheltered areas and at structures.

A Travel Alert remains in effect in the Williston, Minot, McClusky, Steele, Napoleon and surrounding areas due to blowing and drifting snow creating icy conditions and reduced visibility. Conditions are such that motorists can still travel in these areas, but should be advised that challenging winter driving conditions may exist. Motorists are encouraged to reduce speeds and drive according to the conditions.

For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the website: www.dot.nd.gov.

NDDOT releases information to inform the public about travel conditions throughout the state. The three categories are as follows:

1. Travel alerts are issued to alert motorists that areas of challenging winter driving conditions may be encountered on roadways. Conditions are such that motorists can still travel; however, they should be aware that rapidly changing conditions may result in travel delays due to reduced speeds and visibility.

2. No-travel advisories are issued when conditions warrant no travel but not a road closure. No Travel Advisories have the potential to change to a Road Closure if conditions deteriorate. No-travel advisories are issued for public safety to encourage motorists not to venture out onto the roads. Motorists should take no-travel advisories seriously. Conditions change often during a storm event and motorists may become stranded if they are caught between destinations.

3. Roads are closed when conditions create a life-threatening danger to motorists. The roadway is impassable and it is against the law to drive past a road closure device on a closed road. Motorists should obey road closures, even when a sign or a gate is not present.

Road condition information on 511 and the travel map is updated daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. CST. The road report is based upon the information available to the NDDOT at the time of preparation and is provided solely as a public service. Conditions may vary from those reported.

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