Jamestown, Stutsman County area has blowing snow, slick roads

Regional roads where rain fell overnight will remain icy as temperatures are not expected to be above freezing, according the National Weather Service.

Travel will remain hazardous throughout the evening, NWS said.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol reported potentially hazardous road conditions and blowing snow throughout the region at 2:05 p.m. today.

Motorists are cautioned to be alert to changing conditions, the patrol said.

No cancelled events, practices or games have been reported.

Snow accumulations totaled 1.5 inches in Montpelier, N.D. and four inches in Harvey, N.D. around 11:45 a.m. today, according the Daryl Ritchison, storm tracker meteorologist for WDAY. Throughout the region, snowfall accumulations totaled one to four inches, according to the NWS.

According to the National Weather Service, the snowfall was predicted to end early this afternoon with winds increasing, causing blowing and drifting snow.

Although he advised motorists to be cautious, the amount of blowing snow should be manageable, Ritchi-son said.

“(It’s) not a big deal by North Dakota standards,” he said.

Ritchison said light snow showers with accumulations of one to three inches each are expected in the area throughout the week.

The Jamestown Police Department reported two accidents Monday morning with no injuries. The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office reported one car rolled into the ditch. No one was injured.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

According to the Highway Patrol:

• U.S. Interstate 94 from Tappen, N.D. to the Spiritwood exit is snow covered.

• I-94 from the Spiritwood exit to Casselton, N.D. has scattered snow

• I-94 from Sterling to Tappen has compacted snow

• I-94 from Casselton to West Fargo, N.D. has scattered ice

• U.S. Highway 52 is snow covered Pingree, N.D. to Jamestown

• U.S. Highway 52 has scattered snow from Balfour to Fessenden

• U.S. Highway 52 has scattered snow drifts from Fessenden to Pingree

• U.S. Highway 281 is snow covered from Junction 46 to Jamestown

• U.S. Highway 281 has scattered snow drifts from Carrington to Junction 57

• N.D. Highway 3 is snow covered from Wishek to 10 miles west of Wishek

• N.D. Highway 3 has scattered snow from the South Dakota line to Wishek

• N.D. Highway 3 has compacted snow from Steele, N.D. to West Junction 200

• N.D. Highway 3 is snow covered from Carrington to Glenfield, N.D.

The patrol is recommending reducing speeds. North Dakota motorists can expect reduced visibility and snow covered roads in Jamestown, Casselton, Lisbon, Courtenay, Gackle, Litchville and Wishek.

Roads in Casselton, Mayville, Ashley, Oakes and Valley City have scattered snow. Edgeley and Ellendale roads have compacted snow, the patrol said.

For more information, visithttp://www.dot.nd.gov/roadreport/roadreport/roadreporttxt.asp.

A significant weather event is expected this weekend, the National Weather Service reported this morn-ing. Forecast models are indicating bitter cold arctic air surging south into the northern plains Saturday and Sunday and early into the next work week. Should that hold true, temperature highs are expected to reach the single digits during the day and subzero temperatures overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

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