Alert archive / North Dakota / Winter Storm Watches in 2012

Winter Storm Watch 2, NWS Grand Forks, ND

February 27, 2012Benson County, Ramsey County, Walsh County, North Dakota; Beltrami County, Marshall County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this winter storm watch at Feb 27, 2012, 2:52 PM CST for Benson County, Ramsey County, Walsh County, North Dakota; Beltrami County, Marshall County, Minnesota. It took effect at Feb 28, 2012, 6:00 PM CST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 27, 2012, 2:52 PM CST (20:52 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 28, 2012, 6:00 PM CST
Expired
Feb 28, 2012, 4:18 AM CST
In force
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND

Counties Beltrami County, MN, Marshall County, MN, Benson County, ND, Ramsey County, ND, Walsh County, ND

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:50 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 294 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Bismarck Municip, ND at 12:00Z on 2012-02-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Bismarck Municip, ND at 12:00Z on 2012-02-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -31 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
623 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-31 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
19 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

116 
WWUS43 KFGF 272052
WSWFGF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
252 PM CST MON FEB 27 2012

...MAJOR WINTER STORM FOR PARTS OF THE REGION TUESDAY EVENING INTO
WEDNESDAY...

.ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM IS TARGETING THE NORTHERN PLAINS FOR
TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MUCH STRONGER
SYSTEM WITH MORE SNOW AND STRONGER WINDS THAN OUR PREVIOUS WEEKEND 
STORM. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THAT THE SOUTHERN RED RIVER VALLEY
INTO WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA WOULD BE HIT WITH THE WORST OF THESE
CONDITIONS. A FOOT OR MORE OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN
RED RIVER VALLEY TAPERING TO AROUND 6 INCHES ALONG THE HIGHWAY 2
CORRIDOR. GUSTY SOUTHEAST WINDS ARE EXPECTED AHEAD OF THE SYSTEM
ON TUESDAY THEN WINDS SHOULD BECOME MORE NORTHERLY BY WEDNESDAY AS
THE SYSTEM PASSES OFF TO THE EAST. SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS TO
VISIBILITY DUE TO FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW ARE POSSIBLE. UNLESS
SOMETHING CHANGES THIS STORM WOULD BE THE STRONGEST SO FAR THIS
WINTER. HOWEVER THERE COULD STILL BE SOME SHIFTS IN THE TRACK OF
THE STORM SO LATER ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NEEDED.

MNZ007>009-017-NDZ014>016-054-010000-
/O.NEW.KFGF.WS.A.0002.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
WEST MARSHALL-EAST MARSHALL-NORTH BELTRAMI-SOUTH BELTRAMI-BENSON-
RAMSEY-EASTERN WALSH-WESTERN WALSH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WARREN...NEWFOLDEN...RED LAKE...
BEMIDJI...MADDOCK...LEEDS...DEVILS LAKE...GRAFTON...ADAMS
252 PM CST MON FEB 27 2012

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. 

* THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM SHOULD BEGIN TO AFFECT PORTIONS OF THE
  DEVILS LAKE BASIN AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TUESDAY NIGHT INTO 
  WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY COULD
  RESULT IN NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN COUNTRY WITH
  WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.

* THIS APPEARS TO BE THE STRONGEST STORM SO FAR THIS WINTER SO 
  MAKE PLANS NOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ001>003-013>016-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ024-026>030-038-039-049-
052-053-010000-
/O.CON.KFGF.BZ.A.0001.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
WEST POLK-NORMAN-CLAY-PENNINGTON-RED LAKE-EAST POLK-
NORTH CLEARWATER-MAHNOMEN-SOUTH CLEARWATER-HUBBARD-WEST BECKER-
EAST BECKER-WILKIN-WEST OTTER TAIL-EAST OTTER TAIL-WADENA-GRANT-
EDDY-NELSON-GRAND FORKS-GRIGGS-STEELE-TRAILL-BARNES-CASS-RANSOM-
SARGENT-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CROOKSTON...EAST GRAND FORKS...
HALSTAD...MOORHEAD...THIEF RIVER FALLS...RED LAKE FALLS...
FOSSTON...BAGLEY...MAHNOMEN...LAKE ITASCA...PARK RAPIDS...
DETROIT LAKES...WOLF LAKE...BRECKENRIDGE...FERGUS FALLS...
NEW YORK MILLS...WADENA...ELBOW LAKE...NEW ROCKFORD...LAKOTA...
GRAND FORKS...COOPERSTOWN...FINLEY...MAYVILLE...VALLEY CITY...
FARGO...LISBON...GWINNER...WAHPETON
252 PM CST MON FEB 27 2012

...BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

* SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...SHOULD MOVE INTO THE SOUTHERN RED RIVER
  VALLEY TUESDAY EVENING...SPREADING RAPIDLY NORTH TUESDAY NIGHT
  AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW LATE TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY COULD 
  RESULT IN NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN COUNTRY WITH 
  WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF OVER A FOOT ARE POSSIBLE ALONG AND SOUTH
  OF THE INTERSTATE 94 CORRIDOR...WITH LIGHTER AMOUNTS TO THE
  NORTH TAPERING OFF TO AROUND 6 INCHES ALONG THE HIGHWAY 2 CORRIDOR.

* THIS APPEARS TO BE THE STRONGEST STORM SO FAR THIS WINTER SO
  MAKE PLANS NOW AS TRAVEL WILL BECOME DIFFICULT TUESDAY NIGHT
  INTO WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FALLING AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITIES.
THIS CAN LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AND MAKE TRAVEL VERY
DANGEROUS.

&&

$$

DK
1 follow-up statement
501 
WWUS43 KFGF 281018
WSWFGF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
418 AM CST TUE FEB 28 2012

...MAJOR WINTER STORM FOR PARTS OF THE REGION FROM THIS EVENING INTO
WEDNESDAY...

.A POWERFUL WINTER STORM WILL TARGET THE NORTHERN PLAINS TONIGHT
INTO WEDNESDAY. SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL AFFECT MOST OF
THE REGION. THE SOUTHERN RED RIVER VALLEY AND ADJACENT AREAS WILL
SEE THE HEAVIEST SNOW FALL WHERE A FOOT OR MORE IS EXPECTED. SNOW
WILL TAPER OFF NORTHWARD TO 3 TO 5 INCHES ALONG THE INTERNATIONAL
BORDER. GUSTY EAST TO NORTHEAST WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH THE HEAVY
SNOW TO GREATLY REDUCE VISIBILITY HOWEVER BLIZZARD FORCE WINDS ARE
NOT EXPECTED. CONDITIONS WILL GRADUALLY IMPROVE WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON. 

A DEEP AREA OF LOW PRESSURE TRACKING FROM COLORADO TO SOUTHERN
MINNESOTA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS THE STRONGEST STORM OF THE
SEASON. 

MNZ003-027>032-040-NDZ038-039-049-052-053-010000-
/O.UPG.KFGF.BZ.A.0001.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KFGF.WS.W.0002.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
CLAY-WEST BECKER-EAST BECKER-WILKIN-WEST OTTER TAIL-
EAST OTTER TAIL-WADENA-GRANT-BARNES-CASS-RANSOM-SARGENT-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MOORHEAD...DETROIT LAKES...WOLF LAKE...
BRECKENRIDGE...FERGUS FALLS...NEW YORK MILLS...WADENA...
ELBOW LAKE...VALLEY CITY...FARGO...LISBON...GWINNER...WAHPETON
418 AM CST TUE FEB 28 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 6 PM CST WEDNESDAY. THE BLIZZARD WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.

* SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL MOVE INTO THE SOUTHERN RED RIVER
  VALLEY AND ADJACENT AREAS EARLY THIS EVENING...SPREADING NORTH
  TONIGHT AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND SOME BLOWING SNOW LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WILL
  RESULT IN NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN COUNTRY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 14 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ALONG AND
  SOUTH OF THE INTERSTATE 94 HIGHWAY 10 CORRIDOR.

* THIS WILL BE THE STRONGEST STORM SO FAR THIS WINTER SO MAKE
  PLANS NOW AS TRAVEL WILL BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND
  DANGEROUS TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.  SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.


&&

$$

MNZ001-002-013>016-022>024-NDZ024-026>030-010000-
/O.UPG.KFGF.BZ.A.0001.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KFGF.WS.W.0002.120229T0300Z-120301T0000Z/
WEST POLK-NORMAN-PENNINGTON-RED LAKE-EAST POLK-NORTH CLEARWATER-
MAHNOMEN-SOUTH CLEARWATER-HUBBARD-EDDY-NELSON-GRAND FORKS-GRIGGS-
STEELE-TRAILL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CROOKSTON...EAST GRAND FORKS...
HALSTAD...THIEF RIVER FALLS...RED LAKE FALLS...FOSSTON...BAGLEY...
MAHNOMEN...LAKE ITASCA...PARK RAPIDS...NEW ROCKFORD...LAKOTA...
GRAND FORKS...COOPERSTOWN...FINLEY...MAYVILLE
418 AM CST TUE FEB 28 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS
EVENING TO 6 PM CST WEDNESDAY. THE BLIZZARD WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.

* SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL MOVE NORTHWARD INTO THE REGION
  LATER THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND SOME BLOWING SNOW LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WILL
  RESULT IN NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN COUNTRY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE
  AREA. 

* THIS WILL BE THE STRONGEST STORM SO FAR THIS WINTER SO MAKE
  PLANS NOW AS TRAVEL WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT LATER TONIGHT
  INTO WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.  SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

MNZ017-010000-
/O.UPG.KFGF.WS.A.0002.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KFGF.WS.W.0002.120229T0300Z-120301T0000Z/
SOUTH BELTRAMI-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...BEMIDJI
418 AM CST TUE FEB 28 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS
EVENING TO 6 PM CST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.

* SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL MOVE NORTHWARD INTO THE REGION
  LATER THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND SOME BLOWING SNOW LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WILL
  RESULT IN NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN COUNTRY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE
  AREA. 

* THIS WILL BE THE STRONGEST STORM SO FAR THIS WINTER SO MAKE
  PLANS NOW AS TRAVEL WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT LATER TONIGHT
  INTO WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.  SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

MNZ007>009-NDZ014>016-054-010000-
/O.UPG.KFGF.WS.A.0002.120229T0000Z-120301T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KFGF.WW.Y.0007.120229T0600Z-120301T0000Z/
WEST MARSHALL-EAST MARSHALL-NORTH BELTRAMI-BENSON-RAMSEY-
EASTERN WALSH-WESTERN WALSH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WARREN...NEWFOLDEN...RED LAKE...
MADDOCK...LEEDS...DEVILS LAKE...GRAFTON...ADAMS
418 AM CST TUE FEB 28 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
6 PM CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 6 PM CST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.

* SNOW WILL MOVE NORTHWARD INTO THE REGION LATE THIS EVENING AND
  CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND SOME BLOWING SNOW LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WILL
  RESULT IN GREATLY RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN
  COUNTRY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE
  AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL
CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED
ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

&&

$$

MNZ004>006-NDZ006>008-010000-
/O.NEW.KFGF.WW.Y.0007.120229T0600Z-120301T0000Z/
KITTSON-ROSEAU-LAKE OF THE WOODS-TOWNER-CAVALIER-PEMBINA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HALLOCK...ROSEAU...BAUDETTE...CANDO...
LANGDON...CAVALIER
418 AM CST TUE FEB 28 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
6 PM CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 6 PM CST WEDNESDAY.

* SNOW WILL MOVE NORTHWARD INTO THE REGION LATE THIS EVENING AND
  CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

* FALLING AND SOME BLOWING SNOW LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WILL
  RESULT IN GREATLY RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN OPEN
  COUNTRY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE
  AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL
CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED
ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

&&

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm watch went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm watch went out at Feb 27, 2:51 PM CST, 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 27, 2:51 PM CST, 1 minute before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
251 PM CST MON FEB 27 2012

.SHORT TERM...
MAIN FORECAST CHALLENGE REMAINS THE UPCOMING TUE NIGHT/WED STORM
SYSTEM. MODEL SOLUTIONS TODAY SEEM TO HAVE SWUNG BACK MORE TO A
SLIGHTLY MORE NORTHWARD SOLUTION WHICH WOULD FAVOR SHIFTING THE
SNOW BAND A LITTLE FURTHER NORTHWARD. WILL TRY TO ADJUST THE
FORECAST ACCORDINGLY. MAIN QUESTIONS STILL CENTER ON THE DEGREE OF
WIND DURING THE STORM. EXPECTING TO SEE WINTER STORM CRITERIA IN
THE CURRENT WATCH AREA BUT NOT CERTAIN YET ON MEETING SUSTAINED/
FREQUENT GUSTS TO 35 MPH FOR BLIZZARD CRITERIA. THEREFORE AS THE
EVENT IS STILL OVER 24 HOURS AWAY WILL HOLD ONTO WATCH PRODUCTS
RATHER THAN MATCH ADJOINING OFFICES WITH WARNING PRODUCTS.

TONIGHT...SEEING A LOT OF CIRRUS STREAMING NORTHEASTWARD THIS
AFTERNOON AHEAD OF THE NEXT SYSTEM. SHOULD SEE QUITE A BIT OF
CLOUD COVER OVERNIGHT WHICH WOULD HELP HOLD UP TEMPS. ALMOST LOOKS
LIKE A NOCTURNAL TSTM SCENARIO TONIGHT IF THIS WAS ABOUT 4 MONTHS
LATER. HAVE A STRONG LOW LEVEL JET FORMING AND STRONG WARM
ADVECTION JUST OFF THE DECK. THE NOSE OF THESE FEATURES MOVE RIGHT
THRU THE FA OVERNIGHT. MODELS LATCH ONTO THIS AND TRY TO FORM
SOME PCPN OVERNIGHT. NOT SURE HOW EFFICIENT THIS WILL BE AT
GETTING ANY PCPN TO THE SFC. A LOT OF IT MAY JUST WORK AT
SATURATING THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE FORM OF VIRGA. GFS SHOWS THE MOST
QPF WITH THIS BAND OF WARM ADVECTION BUT IT DOES TEND TO OVERDO
WARM ADVECTION SCENARIOS. WILL HOLD OFF ON MENTIONING ANY PCPN
UNTIL LATE AND KEEP IT IN THE FORM OF LIGHT SNOW. SFC WINDS MAY BE
SLOW TO INCREASE. EVEN SO DO NOT THINK TEMPS WILL FAR OFF TOO FAR
OVERNIGHT.

TUE-THU...TUE STILL LOOKING LIKE A GOOD DAY INITIALLY WITH THE
FIRST WAVE OF WARM ADVECTION AND THE LOW LEVEL JET HAVING PUSHED
THRU. BIG STORM SYSTEM STILL LOOKS SLOW TO EVOLVE AND MOST OF THE
EFFECTS WILL NOT GET GOING UNTIL AFTER 00Z WED. COULD BE SOME
HEAVIER SNOW STARTING ACROSS THE FAR SOUTHERN FA BY MID TO LATE
TUE AFTERNOON BUT WILL NOT PLAY AROUND WITH START TIMES ON THE
WATCH FOR NOW. THERE HAVE JUST BEEN TOO MANY SWINGS WITH THE
MODELS AND THE TREND HAS BEEN FOR SLOWING IT DOWN. STRONG SURGE OF
LOW LEVEL JET GETS GOING AGAIN TUE NIGHT WITH PRECIPITABLE WATER
VALUES ON THE RISE. ALL SAID LOOKS GOOD FOR HEAVY SNOW SETTING UP
ACROSS THE FA ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHEAST ND INTO WEST CENTRAL MN.
SFC LOW SHOULD TRACK INTO SOUTHERN MN BY 12Z WED. THEREFORE FOR
MOST OF TUE NIGHT SFC WINDS SHOULD STILL BE CROSS VALLEY. THIS MAY
SUPPORT HIGHER WIND GUSTS ACROSS THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS WEST OF THE
RED RIVER VALLEY BUT NOT EXPECTING THE MORE NORTHERLY WIND
DIRECTIONS UNTIL AFTER 06Z WED INTO THE DAY WED. LIKE MENTIONED
THERE HAS BEEN A FURTHER NORTHWARD SHIFT IN THE MODELS WITH THE
HEAVIER SNOW. THIS STILL KEEPS SOUTHEAST ND INTO WEST CENTRAL MN
WITH WELL OVER A FOOT OF SNOW. THE HIGHWAY 2 CORRIDOR COULD SEE 6
TO 8 INCHES. THEREFORE WILL ADD ON A TIER OF COUNTIES JUST NORTH
OF THE CURRENT BLIZZARD WATCH AND GO WITH A WINTER STORM WATCH.
DUE TO THE QUESTIONS ON WIND SPEEDS FOR THE STORM SYSTEM THINK THE
WINTER STORM WATCH IS THE WAY TO GO FOR THIS ADDITIONAL STRIP OF
COUNTIES. STORM SYSTEM SHOULD PUSH OFF ON WED NIGHT WITH THE REST
OF THE SHORT TERM LOOKING UNEVENTFUL

.LONG TERM (FRI THRU MON)...
THERE SHOULD BE AN UPPER TROUGH OVER THE REGION ON FRI...WITH THE
CHANCE FOR SOME LIGHT SNOW. THEREAFTER EXPECT OVERALL DRY WEATHER
WITH TEMPS NEAR NORMAL GIVEN THE FRESH/DEEP SNOWPACK THAT SHOULD BE
OVER THE REGION BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

&&

.AVIATION...
VFR CONDITIONS MAY FALL IT THE MVFR CATEGORY BY TUE AFTERNOON...AS
MOISTURE INCREASES AHEAD OF APPROACHING STORM SYSTEM. WINDS WILL
SHIFT TO A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION OVERNIGHT AND TURN MORE EASTERLY BY
TUE AFTERNOON.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...BLIZZARD WATCH FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
     FOR NDZ024-026>030-038-039-049-052-053.

     WINTER STORM WATCH FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY
     AFTERNOON FOR NDZ014>016-054.

MN...BLIZZARD WATCH FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
     FOR MNZ001>003-013>016-022>024-027>032-040.

     WINTER STORM WATCH FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY
     AFTERNOON FOR MNZ007>009-017.

&&

GODON/DK
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 27, 6:46 AM CST, 8 hours 6 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
646 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-281300-
WEST POLK-NORMAN-CLAY-KITTSON-ROSEAU-LAKE OF THE WOODS-
WEST MARSHALL-EAST MARSHALL-NORTH BELTRAMI-PENNINGTON-RED LAKE-
EAST POLK-NORTH CLEARWATER-SOUTH BELTRAMI-MAHNOMEN-
SOUTH CLEARWATER-HUBBARD-WEST BECKER-EAST BECKER-WILKIN-
WEST OTTER TAIL-EAST OTTER TAIL-WADENA-GRANT-TOWNER-CAVALIER-
PEMBINA-BENSON-RAMSEY-EASTERN WALSH-EDDY-NELSON-GRAND FORKS-
GRIGGS-STEELE-TRAILL-BARNES-CASS-RANSOM-SARGENT-RICHLAND-
WESTERN WALSH-
646 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

...ANOTHER STORM TO IMPACT PARTS OF THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT
INTO WEDNESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN NORTH
DAKOTA...WEST CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE PLAINS TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY. AT THIS TIME IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH
OF INTERSTATE 94 COULD SEE SNOW AMOUNTS UP TO A FOOT WITH LESSER
AMOUNTS TO THE NORTH. IN ADDITION GUSTY WINDS COULD CAUSE AREAS OF
BLOWING SNOW FURTHER REDUCING VISIBILITY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW FALL REPORTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

VOELKER

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 27, 9:34 AM CST, 5 hours 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
934 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             3 N SARLES              48.99N 99.00W
02/27/2012  M4.3 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL AT DHS PORT OF ENTRY STATION

&&

WBARRETT
Local storm report, Feb 27, 9:57 AM CST, 4 hours 55 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
957 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
02/27/2012  M1.0 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

&&

WBARRETT
Local storm report, Feb 27, 9:58 AM CST, 4 hours 54 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
958 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             LANGDON                 48.76N 98.37W
02/27/2012  M3.5 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL

&&

WBARRETT
Local storm report, Feb 27, 9:59 AM CST, 4 hours 53 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
959 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             6 S PENN                48.13N 99.09W
02/27/2012  M5.0 INCH        RAMSEY             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL

&&

WBARRETT
Local storm report, Feb 27, 10:00 AM CST, 4 hours 52 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
1000 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
02/27/2012  M3.0 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL

&&

WBARRETT
Local storm report, Feb 27, 10:18 AM CST, 4 hours 34 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
1018 AM CST MON FEB 27 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0645 AM     SNOW             LIDGERWOOD              46.07N 97.15W
02/26/2012  M3.0 INCH        RICHLAND           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STILL SNOWING.

0655 AM     SNOW             HAVANA                  45.95N 97.62W
02/26/2012  E1.0 INCH        SARGENT            ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STILL SNOWING

0655 AM     SNOW             STARKWEATHER            48.45N 98.88W
02/26/2012  M3.0 INCH        RAMSEY             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STILL SNOWING

0655 AM     SNOW             LANKIN                  48.31N 97.92W
02/26/2012  M2.0 INCH        WALSH              ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STILL SNOWING

0700 AM     SNOW             7 NW CAVALIER           48.87N 97.73W
02/26/2012  M1.0 INCH        PEMBINA            ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0700 AM     SNOW             2 NW VALLEY CITY        46.94N 98.04W
02/26/2012  M4.0 INCH        BARNES             ND   COCORAHS

            STILL SNOWING

0753 AM     SNOW             PARK RIVER              48.39N 97.74W
02/26/2012  M3.0 INCH        WALSH              ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

0753 AM     SNOW             MOORHEAD                46.86N 96.76W
02/26/2012  M1.8 INCH        CLAY               MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0753 AM     SNOW             SABIN                   46.78N 96.65W
02/26/2012  M1.3 INCH        CLAY               MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0800 AM     SNOW             1 W MAYVILLE            47.50N 97.35W
02/26/2012  M1.5 INCH        TRAILL             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             MCLEOD                  46.39N 97.30W
02/26/2012  M4.0 INCH        RANSOM             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             3 N SARLES              48.99N 99.00W
02/26/2012  M2.3 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL FROM SARLES PORT OF ENTRY DHS STATION.

0800 AM     SNOW             GRAND FORKS             47.92N 97.07W
02/26/2012  M1.2 INCH        GRAND FORKS        ND   NWS EMPLOYEE

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             LAKE ITASCA             47.25N 95.21W
02/26/2012  M3.4 INCH        CLEARWATER         MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             BRECKENRIDGE            46.26N 96.59W
02/26/2012  M2.7 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             MICHIGAN                48.03N 98.12W
02/26/2012  M1.4 INCH        NELSON             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             OTTERTAIL               46.43N 95.56W
02/26/2012  M1.5 INCH        OTTER TAIL         MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             ROSEAU                  48.85N 95.76W
02/26/2012  M2.0 INCH        ROSEAU             MN   PUBLIC

0800 AM     SNOW             4 N PARK RIVER          48.45N 97.74W
02/26/2012  M4.3 INCH        WALSH              ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            ARB OBSERVER STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0800 AM     SNOW             ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
02/26/2012  M2.0 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0800 AM     SNOW             EDMORE                  48.41N 98.45W
02/26/2012  M1.5 INCH        RAMSEY             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW TOTAL

0825 AM     SNOW             FARGO                   46.88N 96.82W
02/26/2012  E3.5 INCH        CASS               ND   BROADCAST MEDIA

            3 TO 3.5 INCHES OF SNOW REPORTED AT WDAY-TV STUDIOS IN
            FARGO.

0901 AM     SNOW             2 E GILBY               48.08N 97.42W
02/26/2012  E3.0 INCH        GRAND FORKS        ND   NWS EMPLOYEE

0945 AM     SNOW             ROSEAU                  48.85N 95.76W
02/26/2012  M2.0 INCH        ROSEAU             MN   PUBLIC

1000 AM     HEAVY SNOW       LIDGERWOOD              46.07N 97.15W
02/26/2012  M6.0 INCH        RICHLAND           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

1015 AM     SNOW             FARGO                   46.88N 96.82W
02/26/2012  E5.0 INCH        CASS               ND   BROADCAST MEDIA

            WDAY TV STUDIO FARGO REPORT

1015 AM     SNOW             RINDAL                  47.50N 96.13W
02/26/2012  M4.0 INCH        NORMAN             MN   PUBLIC

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

1045 AM     HEAVY SNOW       WAHPETON                46.27N 96.61W
02/26/2012  M6.0 INCH        RICHLAND           ND   PUBLIC

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

1245 PM     SNOW             7 WNW CAVALIER          48.83N 97.77W
02/26/2012  M3.8 INCH        PEMBINA            ND   COCORAHS

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL.

0215 PM     SNOW             ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
02/26/2012  M3.0 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0230 PM     HEAVY SNOW       VALLEY CITY             46.92N 98.01W
02/26/2012  M6.5 INCH        BARNES             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0514 PM     SNOW             WEST FARGO              46.87N 96.90W
02/26/2012  M4.3 INCH        CASS               ND   TRAINED SPOTTER

            4.3 INCHES SNOW IN W FARGO...TOTAL SNOWFALL WITH SOME
            LIGHT SNOW STILL OCCURRING

0601 PM     SNOW             GRAND FORKS             47.92N 97.07W
02/26/2012  E2.2 INCH        GRAND FORKS        ND   OFFICIAL NWS OBS

            EVENT TOTAL AS OF 6 PM

0725 PM     HEAVY SNOW       MENAHGA                 46.75N 95.10W
02/26/2012  E6.0 INCH        WADENA             MN   PUBLIC

            STORM TOTAL AS OF 725 PM

0754 PM     HEAVY SNOW       DETROIT LAKES           46.81N 95.84W
02/26/2012  M6.4 INCH        BECKER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOW HAS CURRENTLY STOPPED BUT GETTING THREE QUARTERS
            MILE VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW

0830 PM     SNOW             WADENA                  46.44N 95.13W
02/26/2012  E1.8 INCH        WADENA             MN   PUBLIC

0538 AM     SNOW             SABIN                   46.78N 96.65W
02/27/2012  M4.8 INCH        CLAY               MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL.

0545 AM     SNOW             WARROAD                 48.91N 95.32W
02/27/2012  M2.2 INCH        ROSEAU             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL.

0700 AM     SNOW             MICHIGAN                48.03N 98.12W
02/27/2012  M3.0 INCH        NELSON             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             GREENBUSH               48.70N 96.18W
02/27/2012  M1.8 INCH        ROSEAU             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     HEAVY SNOW       SEBEKA                  46.63N 95.09W
02/27/2012  M6.0 INCH        WADENA             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             MICHIGAN                48.03N 98.12W
02/27/2012  M4.0 INCH        NELSON             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             3 N SARLES              48.99N 99.00W
02/27/2012  M4.3 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL AT DHS PORT OF ENTRY STATION

0700 AM     SNOW             ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
02/27/2012  M1.0 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             LANGDON                 48.76N 98.37W
02/27/2012  M3.5 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL

0700 AM     SNOW             6 S PENN                48.13N 99.09W
02/27/2012  M5.0 INCH        RAMSEY             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL

0700 AM     SNOW             ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
02/27/2012  M3.0 INCH        WILKIN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL

0700 AM     SNOW             SEBEKA                  46.63N 95.09W
02/27/2012  M5.0 INCH        WADENA             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             LANGDON                 48.76N 98.37W
02/27/2012  M1.0 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             PARK RIVER              48.39N 97.74W
02/27/2012  M1.5 INCH        WALSH              ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOW FALL

0700 AM     SNOW             HAVANA                  45.95N 97.62W
02/27/2012  M1.0 INCH        SARGENT            ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             STARKWEATHER            48.45N 98.88W
02/27/2012  M2.0 INCH        RAMSEY             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             STARKWEATHER            48.45N 98.88W
02/27/2012  M5.0 INCH        RAMSEY             ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             HAVANA                  45.95N 97.62W
02/27/2012  M2.0 INCH        SARGENT            ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             PARK RIVER              48.39N 97.74W
02/27/2012  M4.5 INCH        WALSH              ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            2 DAY STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL

0700 AM     SNOW             3 N SARLES              48.99N 99.00W
02/27/2012  M2.0 INCH        CAVALIER           ND   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL...DHS PORT OF ENTRY STATION

0700 AM     SNOW             HALSTAD                 47.35N 96.82W
02/27/2012  M2.8 INCH        NORMAN             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HR SNOWFALL

0837 AM     SNOW             E GILBY                 48.08N 97.47W
02/27/2012  E5.0 INCH        GRAND FORKS        ND   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

WBARRETT

Nearby

Winter Storm Watches in North Dakota, 2012Winter Storm Watches in Minnesota, 2012Every winter storm watch in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.