A strong upper level trough deepened over North Dakota before closing off and nearly stalling, which was poorly projected by forecast models until the day of the event, while a strong cold front swept through the region. Snow began to fall over many portions of North Dakota on the morning of December 5, with several inches of accumulation noted by mid-day over many locations.
Every event with a place to put it; 33 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 strong upper level trough deepened over North Dakota before closing off and nearly stalling, which was poorly projected by forecast models until the day of the event, while a strong cold front swept through the region. Snow began to fall over many portions of North Dakota on the morning of December 5, with several inches of accumulation noted by mid-day over many locations. As the cold front swept through, winds greatly increased from northwest to southeast with visibility rapidly deteriorating as wind gusts increased to around 50 mph over much of the area. Many roads across the region were closed or blocked. Falling snow stared to taper off very gradually from west to east on December 6, though strong winds continued to bring widespread blowing snow and blizzard conditions to many locations. By the late evening of December 6 conditions had improved in western North Dakota. The blizzard continued over much of the central part of the state and the James River Valley into the morning of December 7. Multiple days passed before some roads, particularly in and near the upper James River Valley, were opened.
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 Dec 5, 12:02 PM CST, 58 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 1202 PM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 1201 PM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 POPs were updated with the latest radar trends and the 16Z RAP/HRRR, which are doing well at capturing the latest snowfall trends. Snowfall forecasts amounts have increased slightly. Headlines may need to be adjusted with the afternoon package. UPDATE Issued at 823 AM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 Per trends in radar observations and the 12-13 UTC HRRR/RAP and 12 UTC NAM, expanded the Winter Weather Advisory into Morton, Grant and Sioux counties for snow and blowing snow. An expansion of the Winter Storm Warning into Stutsman county may be possible later this morning based upon trends in the aforementioned guidance sources. However, will evaluate this decision when more of the 12 UTC runs are available. UPDATE Issued at 635 AM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 Snow has developed over northern North Dakota, and over southern areas of North Dakota as initial wave wrapping around upper low pushes through the area. For morning update have pushed morning precipitation chances towards latest HRRR since it seemed to have a grasp on the activity to the south. Have also continued patchy fog for a couple hours over the far north central where it continues to linger, but expect this to dissipate soon as snow develops. Updates have been sent. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and Tuesday) Issued at 337 AM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 A lot can change in a few hours across the Northern Plains. Models have finally come into agreement with respect to Monday and Tuesday's storm. Unfortunately (or fortunately...depending who you are) they agree that there will be rather stout snowfall amounts for portions of central and northern North Dakota. A negatively tilted trough will deepen over North Dakota this afternoon and a strong cold front will swing through late this morning. This will be the focus for snowfall today. General model consensus shifts the track further south than previously expected and brings between 2 and 10 inches of snow north and east of the Missouri River. Two main areas of snow are expected. The first one will be across northern North Dakota...generally along and north of Highway 2. The second will be across central North Dakota...generally along and east of Highway 83. The heaviest snow...6 to 10 inches...is expected across the northern James Valley and Turtle Mountains. This is where the low pressure center is expected to pivot and bring wrap around moisture overnight Monday and into Tuesday morning. Strong cold air advection will push in behind the cold front today. Temperatures will drop sharply and wind speeds will increase. This will likely lead to blowing snow across the area today. Locations with snowpack may experience brief periods of reduced visibility, but it's the locations that experience additional snowfall today that will likely deal with more significant blowing snow and minimal visibilities. Winds around 30 mph can be expected through Tuesday. These winds and bitterly cold temperatures will combine to create wind chills around 20 below. There is some uncertainty with respect to snow amounts and impacts across the southern James Valley today. The high-res models want to bring in a band of moderate snow just east of Bismarck and pivot it up through Jamestown. If this verifies it could produce more snow than currently forecast and may warrant an upgrade. However, this is a very recent development and hasn't been captured by anything other than the most recent runs of the HRRR and RAP. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 337 AM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 Bitterly cold temperatures will continue Wednesday through Friday. Wind chills will persistently be around 10 to 20 below. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Tuesday morning) Issued at 823 AM CST Mon Dec 5 2016 MVFR to IFR cigs with areas of IFR vis in snow will continue to spread through the area today and remain into tonight. Gusty northwest winds will develop behind a cold front resulting in areas of blowing snow. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST Tuesday for NDZ021-022- 036-037-047-050. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Tuesday for NDZ004-005-012- 013-023-025. Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST /11 AM MST/ Tuesday for NDZ001>003-011-034-035-042-045-046. && UPDATE...AC SHORT TERM...AJ LONG TERM...AJ AVIATION...AYD
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND 1142 AM CST MON DEC 5 2016 NDZ009-010-017>020-031>033-040-041-043-044-061745- WILLIAMS-MOUNTRAIL-MCKENZIE-DUNN-MERCER-OLIVER-GOLDEN VALLEY- BILLINGS-STARK-SLOPE-HETTINGER-BOWMAN-ADAMS- 1142 AM CST MON DEC 5 2016 /1042 AM MST MON DEC 5 2016/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT PERIODS OF LIGHT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL DEVELOP TODAY. REDUCED VISIBILITY IS EXPECTED. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY BLUSTERY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ALONG WITH FRIGID TEMPERATURES. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 25 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED DURING THIS TIME. AT THESE WIND CHILLS...FROST BITE CAN OCCUR TO EXPOSED SKIN IN AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST FORECAST AT WEATHER.GOV/BIS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED. NDZ001>003-011-021-022-034>037-042-045>047-050-061745- DIVIDE-BURKE-RENVILLE-WARD-MCLEAN-SHERIDAN-MORTON-BURLEIGH-KIDDER- STUTSMAN-GRANT-SIOUX-EMMONS-LOGAN-MCINTOSH- 1142 AM CST MON DEC 5 2016 /1042 AM MST MON DEC 5 2016/ 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 SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL DEVELOP TODAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED. SEE WEATHER.GOV/BISMARCK FOR DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY BLUSTERY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ALONG WITH FRIGID TEMPERATURES. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 25 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED DURING THIS TIME. AT THESE WIND CHILLS...FROST BITE CAN OCCUR TO EXPOSED SKIN IN AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST FORECAST AT WEATHER.GOV/BIS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED. NDZ004-005-012-013-023-025-061745- BOTTINEAU-ROLETTE-MCHENRY-PIERCE-WELLS-FOSTER- 1142 AM CST MON DEC 5 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL DEVELOP TODAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED. SEE WEATHER.GOV/BISMARCK FOR DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY BLUSTERY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ALONG WITH FRIGID TEMPERATURES. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 25 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED DURING THIS TIME. AT THESE WIND CHILLS...FROST BITE CAN OCCUR TO EXPOSED SKIN IN AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST FORECAST AT WEATHER.GOV/BIS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED. NDZ048-051-061745- LA MOURE-DICKEY- 1142 AM CST MON DEC 5 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT PERIODS OF LIGHT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL DEVELOP TODAY AND CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY. REDUCED VISIBILITY IS EXPECTED. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY BLUSTERY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ALONG WITH FRIGID TEMPERATURES. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 25 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED DURING THIS TIME. AT THESE WIND CHILLS...FROST BITE CAN OCCUR TO EXPOSED SKIN IN AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST FORECAST AT WEATHER.GOV/BIS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
1221 PM CST MON DEC 5 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 PM SNOW BISMARCK 46.81N 100.78W
12/05/2016 M1.9 INCH BURLEIGH ND OFFICIAL NWS OBS
.
&&
MMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
1222 PM CST MON DEC 5 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1045 AM SNOW 4 SW CROWN BUTTE LAKE 46.83N 101.14W
12/05/2016 M3.0 INCH MORTON ND PUBLIC
.
&&
MMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
1232 PM CST MON DEC 5 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1232 PM SNOW GRENORA 48.62N 103.94W
12/05/2016 E0.0 INCH WILLIAMS ND PUBLIC
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED ZERO VISIBILITY
ALONG HIGHWAY 50 TO MONTANA BORDER. .
&&
MMThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
31 blizzard, 6 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Locations near Carrington received 20 inches of snow.
Locations near Harvey received 14 inches of snow.
Locations near Rugby received 12 inches of snow.
Locations near Bottineau received 22 inches of snow.
Locations northeast of Drake received 10 inches of snow.
Locations near Belcourt received 14 inches of snow.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, December 2016
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: 669289, 669290, 669291, 669292, 669294, 669295, 669296, 669298, 669468, 669469, 669470, 669471, 669472, 669473, 669474, 669528, 669529, 669530, 669531, 669533, 669534, 669535, 669536, 669537, 669538, 669540, 669541, 669542, 669543, 669544, 669545, 669546, 669547, 669548, 669549, 669550, 669551.