North Dakota, 2008

Heavy Snow in North Dakota, December 26 to 27, 2008

December 26 to 27, 2008 · NWS BIS · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

An area of surface low pressure pushing into the central plains brought light to moderate snowfall to much of western and central North Dakota from Friday afternoon the 26th, through Saturday morning the 27th. A band of heavy snow developed over central North Dakota during this event, as an associated upper level disturbance pushed slowly to the northeast.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

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.

An area of surface low pressure pushing into the central plains brought light to moderate snowfall to much of western and central North Dakota from Friday afternoon the 26th, through Saturday morning the 27th. A band of heavy snow developed over central North Dakota during this event, as an associated upper level disturbance pushed slowly to the northeast. Storm total snowfall amounts ranged from six to seven inches over Mclean, Morton, and Oliver Counties.

The radar

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

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Event by event

5 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, McLean

When
December 26, 7:00 PM CST to December 27, 1:00 PM CST
Where
McLean forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snowfalls of nearly seven inches at both Garrison and Wilton.

Heavy Snow, Morton

When
December 26, 7:00 PM CST to December 27, 1:00 PM CST
Where
Morton forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported eight inches of storm total snowfall in Hebron, seven inches five miles northwest of New Salem, and six inches in Glen Ullin.

Heavy Snow, Oliver

When
December 26, 7:00 PM CST to December 27, 1:00 PM CST
Where
Oliver forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
47.115, -101.340 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The cooperative observer at Center reported an estimated storm total snowfall of seven inches.

Heavy Snow, Mercer

When
December 26, 7:00 PM CST to December 27, 1:00 PM CST
Where
Mercer forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
47.309, -101.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The cooperative observer near Beulah reported a storm total snowfall of nearly six inches.

Heavy Snow, Stark

When
December 26, 7:00 PM CST to December 27, 1:00 PM CST
Where
Stark forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
46.811, -102.655 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cooperative observers in eastern Stark County reported a storm total snowfall of nearlt eight inches at Richardton and six inches near Taylor.

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Dakota in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, December 2008

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: 145893, 145894, 145895, 146252, 146255.