An upper level disturbance dropping south into the Northern Plains out of the Canadian Rockies, combined with a surface trough of low pressure, brought moderate snow accumulations and gusty winds to portions of west and central North Dakota from the morning of January 5th, through the early morning of January 7th. Snow began Tuesday morning over western portions of the state as a surface trough…
Every event with a place to put it; 32 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BIS wrote it up.
An upper level disturbance dropping south into the Northern Plains out of the Canadian Rockies, combined with a surface trough of low pressure, brought moderate snow accumulations and gusty winds to portions of west and central North Dakota from the morning of January 5th, through the early morning of January 7th.
Snow began Tuesday morning over western portions of the state as a surface trough developed across eastern Montana, and the left exit region of an upper level jet streak approached the local area. Areas of light to moderate snow developed further east through Tuesday night as these features pushed south and east, and continued into Wednesday as the parent upper level trough moved into the region.
Storm total snow accumulations ranged from five to eight inches from western North Dakota into portions of central North Dakota, with heavier amounts just under one foot reported over the James River Valley.
Furthermore, strong northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph developed behind the surface trough as strong Arctic high pressure surged south into the region Tuesday night into Wednesday. These strong winds accompanied the snow and produced near blizzard conditions over southwest and south central North Dakota at times, and resulted in numerous no travel advisories issued by county officials.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
20 winter weather, 16 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Three to five inches of snow fell across Divide County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to four inches of snow fell across Burke County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to five inches of snow fell across Mountrail County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Four to eight inches of snow fell across Williams County. The National Weather Service Office in Williston reported 7.7 inches of storm total snowfall. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Five to nine inches of snow fell across McKenzie County. The cooperative observer at Watford City reported 8.3 inches of storm total snowfall. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across Dunn County. The cooperative observer at Dunn Center reported 6 inches of storm total snowfall. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Three to five inches of snow fell across Billings County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Three to five inches of snow fell across Golden Valley County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Three to six inches of snow fell across Stark County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to four inches of snow fell across Bowman County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Two to four inches of snow fell across Slope County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Three to six inches of snow fell across Hettinger County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Two to five inches of snow fell across Adams County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Two to four inches of snow fell across Renville County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Three to five inches of snow fell across Ward County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to four inches of snow fell across McHenry County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to three inches of snow fell across Pierce County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to four inches of snow fell across Bottineau County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
One to three inches of snow fell across Rolette County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across McLean County. The cooperative observer at Wilton reported 7 inches of storm total snowfall. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across Mercer County. The cooperative observer at Beulah reported 6.6 inches of storm total snowfall. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across Oliver County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Four to six inches of snow fell across Sheridan County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Two to five inches of snow fell across Wells County. Northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph created areas of blowing and drifting snow.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across Grant County. The cooperative observer at Heart Butte Dam reported 6 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across Morton County. The cooperative observers at Flasher and New Salem reported 7.3 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Six to eight inches of snow fell across Burleigh County. The National Weather Service Office in Bismarck reported 7.1 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across Emmons County. The cooperative observer at Linton reported 7 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across Sioux County. The cooperative observer at Fort Yates reported 7 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across Kidder County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across Logan County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across McIntosh County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Five to seven inches of snow fell across Foster County. The cooperative observer at Carrington reported 7 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Seven to twelve inches of snow fell across Stutsman County. The cooperative observer at Medina reported 11 inches of storm total snowfall. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Six to eight inches of snow fell across La Moure County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
Three to six inches of snow fell across Dickey County. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph created areas of significant blowing and drifting snow, resulting in near blizzard conditions.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, January 2010
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: 206467, 206486, 206490, 206491, 206492, 206500, 206501, 206507, 206508, 206521, 206522, 206524, 206525, 206494, 206495, 206496, 206497, 206498, 206499, 206509, 206510, 206511, 206513, 206515, 206526, 206528, 206530, 206531, 206532, 206535, 206536, 206537, 206538, 206539, 206540, 206541.