Strong low pressure moving across the Central Plains brought moderate to heavy snow and blizzard conditions to parts of southwest and south central North Dakota. This episode started in the evening of February 19th, and ended during the early morning hours of February 21st.
Every event with a place to put it; 13 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.
Strong low pressure moving across the Central Plains brought moderate to heavy snow and blizzard conditions to parts of southwest and south central North Dakota. This episode started in the evening of February 19th, and ended during the early morning hours of February 21st.
Storm total snowfall amounts ranged from well over one foot across the southwest, and up to nine inches in the southern James River Basin of southeastern North Dakota. Northerly winds gusting to 50 mph occurred on the back side of the surface low across the eastern Dakotas, resulting in a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. Numerous travel advisories were issued during this episode by county and state officials. Some roads were closed and transportation was severly impacted.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Bismarck, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 19, 6:59 PM CST, 2 hours 1 minute earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND 659 PM CST SAT FEB 19 2011 .UPDATE...UPDATED TEMPERATURES AND CLOUDS. && .DISCUSSION...TEMPERATURES TRENDING A LITTLE COOLER THAN FORECAST. LOWERED OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES ABOUT 1 TO 3 DEGREES BASED ON TRENDS THIS EVENING...ESPECIALLY NORTHWEST. CLOUDS COVERING THE REGION SO UPDATED TO CLOUDY ALL AREAS TONIGHT. LATEST SURFACE OBS (6 PM CST) IN NORTHEAST WYOMING SHOWING MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AT THIS TIME. MOVEMENT OF UPPER FEATURES WILL CARRY THIS HEAVY SNOW INTO SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT...LIKELY REACHING AN INCH AN HOUR LATE THIS EVENING. INCREASING NORTHEAST WINDS...ESPECIALLY EAST OF THE MISSOURI RIVER...WILL OCCUR AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE HEAVY SNOW WILL BE MOVING INTO SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA AFTER MIDNIGHT...ALONG WITH THE WINDS. WILL BE LOOKING FOR NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ACROSS THE FAR SOUTH CENTRAL AFTER MIDNIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. CURRENT FORECAST LOOKS GOOD. && .AVIATION...WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL TRACK ACROSS THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA BRINGING RAPIDLY DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM DIK-BIS-JMS AFTER 03Z. CIGS AT OR BELOW 1 THOUSAND AND VSBYS BELOW 1 MILE IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. VSBYS ONE HALF MILE OR LESS IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW POSSIBLE BETWEEN 08-12Z. IFR CIGS AND VSBYS LIKELY TO CONTINUE AFTER 12Z. FROM WILLISTON TO MINOT EXPECT CEILINGS 1 TO 2 THOUSAND AND VSBYS OCNLY 3 MILES IN LIGHT SNOW 03Z THROUGH 12Z. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT CST SUNDAY NIGHT FOR NDZ019-020-034>037. WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 11 PM MST SUNDAY FOR NDZ031>033-040- 041-043-044. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST SUNDAY NIGHT FOR NDZ017-018. WINTER STORM WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT CST /11 PM MST/ TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT CST /11 PM MST/ SUNDAY NIGHT FOR NDZ042-045>048-050-051. && ABELING
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND 401 PM CST SAT FEB 19 2011 NDZ031>033-040>048-050-051-201200- GOLDEN VALLEY-BILLINGS-STARK-SLOPE-HETTINGER-GRANT-BOWMAN-ADAMS- SIOUX-EMMONS-LOGAN-LA MOURE-MCINTOSH-DICKEY- 401 PM CST SAT FEB 19 2011 /301 PM MST SAT FEB 19 2011/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...IS FORECAST TO SPREAD ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN NORTH DAKOTA THIS EVENING...AND WILL EXPAND EASTWARD INTO SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA OVERNIGHT. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TONIGHT SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL...WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH OVER SOME LOCATIONS. WINDS THIS STRONG...COMBINED WITH FALLING SNOW...WILL RESULT IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...POSSIBLY SIGNIFICANT...WHICH WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS. TRAVELERS ARE URGED TO CHECK FOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WINTER STORM...SEE WWW/WEATHER.GOV/BIS. FOR INFORMATION ON ROAD CONDITIONS...DIAL 5 1 1...OR VISIT THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WEB SITE AT WWW.DOT.ND.GOV. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL BE ONGOING SUNDAY MORNING. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DIMINISH LATER SUNDAY INTO SUNDAY EVENING WEST TO EAST. TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS GREATER THAN 6 INCHES BY SUNDAY EVENING ARE EXPECTED IN THE WINTER STORM WARNING AREA...WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS UP TO 10 INCHES POSSIBLE. SEE WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BIS FOR DETAILS. COLDER TEMPERATURES SURGING SOUTH BEHIND THIS STORM SYSTEM WILL COMBINE WITH 5-15 MPH WINDS SUNDAY NIGHT TO RESULT IN WIND CHILLS TO AROUND 25 BELOW SUNDAY EVENING AND OVERNIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS AND COOP OBSERVERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BISMARCK. NDZ017>020-034>037-201200- MCKENZIE-DUNN-MERCER-OLIVER-MORTON-BURLEIGH-KIDDER-STUTSMAN- 401 PM CST SAT FEB 19 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT SNOW...MODERATE AT TIMES...IS FORECAST TO SPREAD ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN NORTH DAKOTA THIS EVENING...AND WILL EXPAND EASTWARD INTO SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA OVERNIGHT. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TONIGHT SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL...WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH OVER SOME LOCATIONS. WINDS THIS STRONG...COMBINED WITH FALLING SNOW...WILL RESULT IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...WHICH WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS. TRAVELERS ARE URGED TO CHECK FOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WINTER STORM...SEE WWW/WEATHER.GOV/BIS. FOR INFORMATION ON ROAD CONDITIONS...DIAL 5 1 1...OR VISIT THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WEB SITE AT WWW.DOT.ND.GOV. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SNOW AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL BE ONGOING SUNDAY MORNING. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DIMINISH LATER SUNDAY INTO SUNDAY EVENING WEST TO EAST. TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES BY SUNDAY EVENING ARE EXPECTED IN THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY AREA. SEE WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BIS FOR DETAILS. COLDER TEMPERATURES SURGING SOUTH BEHIND THIS STORM SYSTEM WILL COMBINE WITH 5-15 MPH WINDS SUNDAY NIGHT TO RESULT IN WIND CHILLS TO AROUND 25 BELOW SUNDAY EVENING AND OVERNIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS AND COOP OBSERVERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BISMARCK. NDZ001>005-009>013-021>023-025-201200- DIVIDE-BURKE-RENVILLE-BOTTINEAU-ROLETTE-WILLIAMS-MOUNTRAIL-WARD- MCHENRY-PIERCE-MCLEAN-SHERIDAN-WELLS-FOSTER- 401 PM CST SAT FEB 19 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE SOURIS RIVER NEAR FOXHOLM DUE TO CURRENT AND PLANNED RELEASES FROM UPSTREAM RESERVOIRS. FLOODING CONTINUES ON OX CREEK THROUGH BELCOURT...DOWNSTREAM OF BELCOURT LAKE. SUB FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE INCREASING ICE IN THE CHANNEL...REDUCING IS EFFICIENCY TO HANDLE THE FLOWS OUT OF BELCOURT LAKE. THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THE FLOOD THREAT TO CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY...UNTIL OX CREEK CAN ADEQUATELY HANDLE THE OUTFLOW FROM BELCOURT LAKE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FLOOD WARNINGS...SEE WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BIS. WIND CHILLS TO AROUND 20 BELOW ARE FORECAST LATER TONIGHT OVER NORTHERN NORTH DAKOTA. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY A STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS WILL MAINLY IMPACT SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE STATE SUNDAY WITH WIND AND SNOW. HOWEVER...COLDER TEMPERATURES SURGING SOUTH BEHIND THIS STORM SYSTEM WILL COMBINE WITH 5-15 MPH WINDS SUNDAY NIGHT TO RESULT IN WIND CHILLS TO AROUND 30 BELOW SUNDAY EVENING AND OVERNIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED. HEINERT
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 heavy snow, 4 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
The cooperative observer in the city of Bowman reported a storm total snowfall of 15.4 inches.
The cooperative observer in the city of Marmarth reported a storm total snowfall of 11 inches.
The cooperative observer in the city of Reeder reported a storm total snowfall of 16 inches.
The cooperative observer in the city of New England reported a storm total snowfall of 7 inches.
The cooperative observer in the city of Beach reported a storm total snowfall of 9 inches.
The cooperative observer in the city of Medora reported a storm total snowfall of 8.1 inches.
The cooperative observer in the city of Dickinson reported a storm total snowfall of 6.6 inches.
The cooperative observer at Pretty Rock reported a storm total snowfall of 16 inches.
A storm total snowfall of 10 to 12 inches was reported across Sioux County.
The cooperative observers in Emmons County reported storm total snowfall amounts of 6 to 8 inches.
The cooperative observer at Flasher reported a storm total snowfall of 7 inches.
Blizzard conditions developed as strong northerly winds with gusts up to 50 mph combined with falling snow and the fresh snow cover on the ground.
Blizzard conditions developed as strong northerly winds with gusts up to 50 mph combined with falling snow and the fresh snow cover on the ground.
Blizzard conditions developed as strong northerly winds with gusts up to 50 mph combined with falling snow and the fresh snow cover on the ground.
Blizzard conditions developed as strong northerly winds with gusts up to 50 mph combined with falling snow and the fresh snow cover on the ground.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, February 2011
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 280852, 280853, 280854, 280855, 280856, 280857, 280858, 280859, 280860, 280862, 280861, 280863, 281500, 281502, 281503.