A complex winter storm impacted west and central North Dakota March 3rd into the evening of March 4th. Heavy snow fell northwest, north central, and into the northern James River Valley, while blizzard conditions developed March 4th across much of the rest of the west and south central parts of the state.
Every event with a place to put it; 30 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.
A complex winter storm impacted west and central North Dakota March 3rd into the evening of March 4th. Heavy snow fell northwest, north central, and into the northern James River Valley, while blizzard conditions developed March 4th across much of the rest of the west and south central parts of the state.
Initially the heavy snow was confined to the northwest, north central, and into Foster County, where six to twelve inches fell. The heaviest snow, one foot, was reported around Minot.
As the storm moved east, very strong northwest winds up to 55 miles per hour developed across the northwest during the afternoon of the 4th. The strong winds then continued to develop south across the remainder of western North Dakota during the afternoon and eventually into south central North Dakota during the evening hours. Wrap around snow accompanied the strong winds, with seven inches of snow reported across the far southwest, tapering off as you moved east along the South Dakota border.
The heavy snow and blizzard conditions resulted in the North Dakota Department of Transportation issuing no travel advisories for all of northern and western North Dakota at the peak of the storm. Parts of Highway 85 and Highway 50 were closed in Williams and Divide Counties due to heavy snow drifts blocking the roads.
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 Mar 3, 8:01 PM CST, 2 hours 59 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND 801 PM CST SUN MAR 3 2013 .DISCUSSION...UPSTREAM OBSERVATIONS OVER SOUTHERN ALBERTA ASSOCIATED WITH A PRESSURE BUBBLE RISE/ISALLOBARIC FORCING OF 6MB/3HR WILL IMPINGE OVER SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA BY 18Z MONDAY. THE RAP CAPTURES THIS NOW AND CONCUR WITH ITS TREND. SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA HAD SUSTAINED WINDS OF AROUND 30KT ALONG WITH LIGHT SNOW. LIQUID AMOUNTS RANGED BETWEEN O.05 AND 0.10 WHICH IS IN LINE WITHE THE MODELS ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST MONDAY AFTERNOON. FORECAST SOUNDINGS IN THE SOUTHWEST SHOW SUSTAINED WINDS IN THE 30KT RANGE WITH POSSIBLE GUSTS TO 45KT. DECIDED TO ISSUE A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW FOR OUR SOUTHWEST COUNTIES OF SLOPE/BOWMAN/ADAMS FROM 18Z MONDAY THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY. FEEL THIS IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE ADVISORY AS IT COVERS THE SUSTAINED WINDS IN THE 30 MPH RANGE...AND EXPECTED VISIBILITY REDUCTIONS TO ONE HALF MILE OR LESS FOR THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS IN FALLING SNOW. OTHERWISE...COLD FRONT IS NOW JUST PAST BEACH WITH RAIN AND WIND GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. THE MAIN PRESSURE RISE ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE WINDS WILL SLIDE ACROSS SOUTHEAST MONTANA THROUGH 06Z. BOWMAN RADAR SHOWING A LARGE SWATH OF RAIN WITH A POSSIBLE LIGHTNING STRIKE OR TWO NEAR THE SOUTHWEST BORDER. WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH THIS CLOSELY. CURRENT FORECAST REMAINS ON TRACK WITH RAIN CHANGING TO SNOW NORTH TO SOUTH OVERNIGHT...HEAVIEST IN THE NORTH AND EAST CENTRAL TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. THE DRY SLOT IS STILL ADVERTISED IN THE FAR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL MONDAY MORNING INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON. UPDATES FORTHCOMING. && .AVIATION...EXPECTING SIGNIFICANT AVIATION PROBLEMS OVER THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS. CIGS WILL GENERALLY DETERIORATE INTO THE IFR/LIFR RANGE IN MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES FOR KMOT/KJMS SUNDAY NIGHT. RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW AT KISN AROUND 03Z...AND AROUND 05Z-06Z AT KDIK AND KBIS. VSBYS WILL DEGRADE INTO THE LIFR RANGE AT KMOT/KJMS AND IFR FOR KBIS/KDIK/KISN TONIGHT. STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS MONDAY AFTERNOON WITH ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW WILL RESULT IN LIFR/VLIFR VSBYS AT KISN/KMOT/KDIK. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ TUESDAY FOR NDZ017>020-031>035-041-042-045>047-050. WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR NDZ001>005- 009>013-021>023-025-036-037-048-051. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 11 AM MONDAY TO 5 AM MST TUESDAY FOR NDZ040-043-044. && DISCUSSION/AVIATION...KS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND 935 PM CST SUN MAR 3 2013 NDZ001>005-009>013-021>023-025-036-037-048-051-050345- DIVIDE-BURKE-RENVILLE-BOTTINEAU-ROLETTE-WILLIAMS-MOUNTRAIL-WARD- MCHENRY-PIERCE-MCLEAN-SHERIDAN-WELLS-FOSTER-KIDDER-STUTSMAN- LA MOURE-DICKEY- 935 PM CST SUN MAR 3 2013 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...REST OF TONIGHT A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN AND EAST CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED DURING THIS TIME. PLEASE REFER TO WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BIS FOR THE LATEST UPDATES. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 9 TO 14 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED IN NORTHERN NORTH DAKOTA...DECREASING TO 6 TO 9 INCHES IN THE SOUTHERN JAMES RIVER VALLEY. THERE IS A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SNOW WITH A WINTRY MIX THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AT THIS TIME DO NOT APPEAR TO BE SIGNIFICANT. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS SHOULD CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT 701 223-4582 WITH SNOWFALL REPORTS. NDZ017>020-031>035-041-042-045>047-050-050345- MCKENZIE-DUNN-MERCER-OLIVER-GOLDEN VALLEY-BILLINGS-STARK-MORTON- BURLEIGH-HETTINGER-GRANT-SIOUX-EMMONS-LOGAN-MCINTOSH- 935 PM CST SUN MAR 3 2013 /835 PM MST SUN MAR 3 2013/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...REST OF TONIGHT A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF WESTERN AND SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. A WINTRY MIX WILL CHANGE OVER TO ALL SNOW TONIGHT. PLEASE REFER TO WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BIS FOR THE LATEST UPDATES. ALSO...EXPECT ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY EVENING WITH WIND GUSTS POSSIBLY TO 50 MPH IN SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. ALSO...WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM...THERE COULD BE A QUICK CHANGEOVER TO A BRIEF PERIOD OF HEAVY SNOWFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY THERE IS A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SNOW WITH A WINTRY MIX THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AT THIS TIME DO NOT APPEAR TO BE SIGNIFICANT. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS SHOULD CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT 701 223-4582 WITH SNOWFALL REPORTS. NDZ040-043-044-050345- SLOPE-BOWMAN-ADAMS- 835 PM MST SUN MAR 3 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...REST OF TONIGHT ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ALONG WITH BRIEF GUSTY WINDS TO 50 MPH POSSIBLE. ALSO...WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM...THERE COULD BE A QUICK CHANGEOVER TO A BRIEF PERIOD OF HEAVY SNOWFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. NORTHWESTERLY WINDS SUSTAINED TO 35 MPH ALONG WITH LIGHT SNOW WILL PRODUCE LOW VISIBILITIES OF AROUND ONE HALF MILE OR LESS. TOTAL SNOWFALL EXPECTED THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT WILL RANGE FROM 1 TO 2 INCHES. THERE IS A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SNOW WITH A WINTRY MIX THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AT THIS TIME DO NOT APPEAR TO BE SIGNIFICANT. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS SHOULD CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT 701 223-4582 WITH SNOWFALL REPORTS. KS
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
18 blizzard, 15 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy snowfall of six inches was reported. Blizzard conditions also occurred. Please see the blizzard storm data entry for specific times.
Heavy snowfall of six inches was reported. Blizzard conditions also occurred. Please see the blizzard storm data entry for specific times.
Heavy snowfall of six inches was reported. Blizzard conditions also occurred. Please see the blizzard storm data entry for specific times.
Heavy snowfall of eight inches was reported. Blizzard conditions also occurred. Please see the blizzard storm data entry for specific times.
Heavy snowfall of ten inches was reported. Blizzard conditions also occurred. Please see the blizzard storm data entry for specific times.
Heavy snowfall of twelve inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall of twelve inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall of ten inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall up to twelve inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall up to twelve inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall up to ten inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall up to ten inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall up to ten inches was reported.
Heavy snowfall up to six inches was reported across northern Stutsman County.
Heavy snowfall up to eight inches was reported.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 50 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 35 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 45 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
Fresh snowfall, combined with northwest winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, resulted in blizzard conditions during the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. No travel was advised.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, March 2013
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: 438717, 438718, 438719, 438720, 438721, 438723, 438724, 438725, 438726, 438727, 438728, 438729, 438730, 438731, 438732, 438734, 438736, 438737, 438738, 438739, 438740, 438741, 438742, 438744, 438745, 438746, 438747, 438748, 438749, 438750, 438751, 438752, 438753.