Innovative Tech Solutions

   Mesoscale Discussion 0027
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0848 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

   Areas affected...Eastern North Dakota...northeast South
   Dakota...northwest Minnesota

   Concerning...Blizzard 

   Valid 181448Z - 181945Z

   SUMMARY...Ground blizzard conditions are expected to become more
   widespread through late morning/early afternoon across eastern North
   Dakota, northwest Minnesota, and far northeast South Dakota.

   DISCUSSION...14z surface observations show northerly winds beginning
   to increase to 25-35 mph across northeast ND and far northwest MN as
   a very cold (-5 to 5 F) air mass begins to push southward into the
   Red River Valley of the North. Based on current wind speeds,
   temperatures, and the condition of the existing snow pack (per NORSC
   analyses), blowing  snow model output suggests that visibility
   reductions to 1/4 mile or less should become increasingly common,
   especially in open country. This is supported by recent web/plow
   cams across the region that depict somewhat reduced visibility
   within towns/sheltered areas but significant reductions in open
   country. Reflectivity data from upstream radars in southern Manitoba
   are also depicting light reflectivity streamers often indicative of
   plumes of blowing snow which likely correlate with the most
   significant visibility reductions. 

   These conditions should become more widespread through the late
   morning and early afternoon as the arctic air mass continues to
   surge south - especially as wind speeds increase into the 30-35 mph
   range, which should correlate with scattered to widespread ground
   blizzard conditions per blowing snow model output. Similar wind
   speeds were observed yesterday and resulted in sustained 1/4 to 1/2
   mile visibility reductions, so confidence is high in ground blizzard
   impacts, even into areas immediately south of the existing snow
   pack.

   ..Moore.. 01/18/2026

   ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

   ATTN...WFO...MPX...FGF...ABR...BIS...

   LAT...LON   49030012 49079652 48979623 45859548 45419566 45229614
               45139680 45139734 45389788 48450071 48850087 49030070
               49030012