Freezing rain, snow headed into eastern North Dakota, northwest Minnesota

GRAND FORKS — A two-pronged weather system will bring rain, sleet and snow to portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, according to WDAY and the National Weather Service.

On Monday, Dec. 8, the NWS predicts a “weak system” will produce a trace to 2 inches of snow in the region, according to a statement sent to the media. A stronger system will come on the heels of the first one, “bringing a wide range of potential winter impacts, from accumulating snow and mixed precipitation to high winds.”

In other words, it appears it’s time for some typical winter weather on the Northern Plains.

“Slight changes in the track of the system could change snow amounts and the possibility of any freezing rain,” the National Weather Service said in its media packet. “Winds will increase Tuesday night as a strong cold front moves into the area. However, it will be after the main batch of snow and it is uncertain how much warmer temperatures and rain/freezing rain earlier in the day will affect blowing snow.”

Considering the possibilities, a winter storm watch is in effect for northeastern North Dakota and parts of western Minnesota. The watch is for counties essentially from Langdon to Fargo in North Dakota, down to Fergus Falls and up to Roseau in Minnesota.

The system likely will be more impactful in the northern Red River Valley and northwestern Minnesota. On Monday, snowfall will be between a trace to 2 inches. It’ll likely be less snow and possibly more rain in Fargo, while places like Jamestown and Bismarck could see rain, but perhaps won’t see much snow .

On Tuesday, the best chances for 2 inches or more of snow are in the Devils Lake basin, across the northern Red River Valley and into central Minnesota. Some rain and freezing rain could move into southeastern North Dakota, but the impacts “are uncertain at this point,” the NWS said.

“Tuesday, that is the mess that is going to create a lot of problems on the road,” Jesse Ritka, WDAY’s chief meteorologist, said during a Sunday broadcast. The potential exists for rain, sleet and ice pellets, she said, and winds could reach 30 mph.

Temperatures over the weekend were in the single digits, but Monday will see temperatures rise into the higher teens to nearly 30 in the southern part of the region. On Tuesday, it’ll likely be in the 20s in places like Devils Lake, Grand Forks and Bemidji, according to WDAY, but likely in the 30s in Jamestown, Wahpeton, Fargo and Fergus Falls.

Monday will start off “snow free,” Ritka said during her forecast Sunday. “By the middle of the day, we’ll track the snow pushing through the Red River Valley. By the middle of the afternoon (it will be) out of here by about 5 or 6 o’clock.”

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