Blizzard in North Dakota, January 17 to 18, 1996

Name: Blizzard in North Dakota, January 17 to 18, 1996
Start: 1996-01-17T04:30
End: 1996-01-18T13:00
Location: North Dakota

January 17 to 18, 1996 · NWS BIS · 53 events in 53 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 49 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 53

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BIS wrote it up.

A strong low pressure center located over the central plains combined with strong arctic high pressure moving south out of Canada to bring blizzard conditions to North Dakota. Snowfall amounts range from 8 inches at Williston in the northwest to 20 inches at Wahpeton in the southeast. Fargo and Bismarck set new records for 24 hr. snowfall, receiving 18 and 7.9 inches respectively. Winds gusting to 55 mph created 3 to 5 foot drifts in the central, while drifts up to 10 feet were found in the east. Law enforcement officials advised no travel and closed I-29 in North Dakota, I-94 from Bismarck to Fargo, and US Highway 2 from Grand Forks to Devils Lake. Many people who did not heed the travel warnings got stranded for several hours on the interstate and state highways. Fortunetly no deaths were reported. Many schools and businesses closed on the 17th and did not re-open until a few days later. With temperatures dropping to 10 to 20 degrees belw zero, wind chills varied from 60 to 80 below zero, snow removal was hampered with hydraulic and cooling systems freezing on snow plows. In Finley (Steele Co.) the water in the water tower froze. In Grafton (Walsh Co.), firemen had trouble fighting a fire due to the water freezing in the hoses before it could be applied to the fire. Mail service was disrupted statewide for the 17th and 18th. The cold also caused several water main breaks and minor power outages.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

53 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Divide

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Divide forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.815, -103.487 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Burke

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Burke forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.791, -102.518 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Renville

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Renville forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.719, -101.658 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Bottineau

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Bottineau forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.792, -100.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Rolette

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Rolette forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.772, -99.841 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Towner

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Towner forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.686, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Cavalier

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Cavalier forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.772, -98.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Pembina

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Pembina forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.768, -97.552 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Williams

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Williams forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.344, -103.480 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Mountrail

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Mountrail forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.201, -102.356 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Ward

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Ward forecast zone

Blizzard, McHenry

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: McHenry forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.235, -100.636 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Pierce

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Pierce forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.250, -99.972 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Benson

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Benson forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.069, -99.366 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Ramsey

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Ramsey forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.269, -98.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Eastern Walsh

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Eastern Walsh forecast zone
Coordinates: 48.370, -97.721 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, McKenzie

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: McKenzie forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.740, -103.395 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Dunn

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Dunn forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.357, -102.618 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Mercer

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.309, -101.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Oliver

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Oliver forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.115, -101.340 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, McLean

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: McLean forecast zone

Blizzard, Sheridan

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Sheridan forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.575, -100.346 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Wells

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Wells forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.588, -99.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Eddy

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Eddy forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.718, -98.902 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Foster

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Foster forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.457, -98.883 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Nelson

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Nelson forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.922, -98.192 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Grand Forks

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.922, -97.457 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Griggs

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Griggs forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.457, -98.237 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Steele

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Steele forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.456, -97.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Traill

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Traill forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.454, -97.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Golden Valley

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Golden Valley forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.940, -103.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Billings

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Billings forecast zone
Coordinates: 47.023, -103.376 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Stark

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Stark forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.811, -102.655 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Morton

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Morton forecast zone

Blizzard, Burleigh

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Burleigh forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.977, -100.469 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Kidder

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Kidder forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.980, -99.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Stutsman

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Stutsman forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.979, -98.959 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Barnes

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Barnes forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.936, -98.072 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Cass

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.933, -97.248 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Slope

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Slope forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.447, -103.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Hettinger

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Hettinger forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.433, -102.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Grant

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Grant forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.358, -101.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Bowman

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Bowman forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.113, -103.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Adams

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.097, -102.528 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Sioux

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Sioux forecast zone

Blizzard, Emmons

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Emmons forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.285, -100.239 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Logan

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.457, -99.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, La Moure

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: La Moure forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.457, -98.535 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Ransom

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Ransom forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.456, -97.657 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, McIntosh

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: McIntosh forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.112, -99.441 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Dickey

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Dickey forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.110, -98.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Sargent

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Sargent forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.108, -97.631 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Richland

When: January 17, 4:30 AM CST to January 18, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Richland forecast zone
Coordinates: 46.265, -96.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Dakota in 1996 Every state in 1996 This day in weather history Warnings in North Dakota, January 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5538193, 5538194, 5538195, 5538196, 5538197, 5538198, 5538199, 5538200, 5538201, 5538202, 5538203, 5538204, 5538205, 5538206, 5538207, 5538208, 5538209, 5538210, 5538211, 5538212, 5538213, 5538214, 5538215, 5538216, 5538217, 5538218, 5538219, 5538220, 5538221, 5538422, 5538423, 5538424, 5538425, 5538426, 5538427, 5538428, 5538429, 5538430, 5538431, 5538432, and more.