A wave propagating along the Canadian border brought strong cold air advection into the area, increasing wind speeds along with falling snow. In addition, snowfall in Canada was easily lofted and blown into our CWA by the high winds.
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.
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 FGF wrote it up.
A wave propagating along the Canadian border brought strong cold air advection into the area, increasing wind speeds along with falling snow. In addition, snowfall in Canada was easily lofted and blown into our CWA by the high winds.
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 Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 9, 3:24 PM CST, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 324 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Band of light snow moves across the area late tonight and into Wednesday morning. Minor impacts to travel are possible (20-30%). - Persistent light snow in the northern Red River Valley through Thursday, with drier conditions in the southern Red River Valley. - Probability of seeing 4 or more inches of snow in 48 hours is 20- 40% in the far northern Red River Valley and 10-20% in the central to northern Red River Valley. 2+ inches in 48 hours is 20-40% Hwy 200 points south and 40-60% points north. - Frigid temperatures end of the week and into the weekend, with advisory level impacts expected. Warning impact potential is a 20- 30% chance. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 323 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 Current Satellite across the Northern Plains indicates a broad area of higher level clouds moving eastward across ND. Areas within the Red River Valley are starting to see higher level clouds, but also plentiful sunshine. This allows temperatures to reach out of the single digits and into the lower teens for daytime highs. Patchy fog continues to diminish across NW MN as indicated by satellite. Our next system is currently moving across southern Canada around Saskatchewan and into Manitoba. A warm front ahead of the system will shift through eastern ND and into NW MN Wednesday morning through the afternoon. Synoptic forcing combines with the weak frontogentic forcing to produce light snow along the front. Lapse rates ahead and behind the front are rather weak (5-6 C/km). Any stronger winds will be co located to the front itself, but remain on the weaker side since we are pumping in WAA behind the front. Snowfall accumulations will range from dusting to 2 inches across the area as the front shifts through. Winds will be out of the south around 5-10kts gusting up to 15kts at times. Visibility restriction down to a mile are possible (30-40% chance), but will be tied to only falling snow since winds are on the lighter side. There has been a slight signal (<10% chance) that lower level saturation behind the initial frontal push could bring patchy freezing drizzle in the Devils Lake Basin from 5am through 10am. Drier air aloft, saturation in the lower levels, frontal forcing, and temperatures above -10C in the saturated layer bring insight of the slight potential (<10%). The only draw back are the cooler temperatures near the surface through the first 1km of the atmosphere. None the less, its worth mentioning as NAM guidance continues to suggest the brief chance. The system tracks right along the Canadian border Wednesday afternoon and evening and begins to occlude. As the system moves along the border, lingering synoptic forcing and wrapping around moisture will add to the snowfall accumulations along and north of Hwy 200. Additional accumulations of 1-3 inches are possible, with the best chances along the International Border. During the evening and overnight a cold front begins to sweep through the area increasing the winds across eastern ND and into the Red River Valley. Winds gust up to 30kts Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. Snow that falls Wednesday into Thursday will be rather fluffy allowing it to blow around more. Stronger winds Wednesday night through Thursday morning combined with recent snow (and lingering snow showers) brings down visibilities to a mile at times. The chance of this occuring is 20-30%, with near 30-40% across the northern Red River Valley. In order to get stronger wind potential we would need stronger winds aloft at the 925mb level and stronger lapse rates. CAA is strong across the area, but not strong enough to bring higher wind gust potential. Total snowfall over the entire event (48 hours) has the possibility (20-40%)to be over 4 inches for areas in the far northern Red River Valley. 2 or more inches is more common (40-60%) for areas along and north of Hwy 200. Areas south of Hwy 200 could see up to 2 inches of snow. During the event, minor impacts to travel are possible (20-30%) due to blowing and drifting snow. Conditions improve by Thursday afternoon, with cooler air starting to settle into the region. Highs on Thursday stay in the teens, but as we approach Friday and into the weekend highs begin to drop. Daytime temperature will struggle to get out of the negative single digits Saturday through Monday. Overnight lows drop down into the negative teens. Frigid temperatures, with brisk north to northwest winds will help drop wind chills down into the hazardous category (- 20 to -40 degrees). When headed out make sure to bundle up in layers. There is the potential we could reach below -40 in some areas near the Devils Lake Basin. That chance is about 20-30%. Colder air is thanks to the NW flow aloft, that will also bring shortwave chances through the long term. The first being on Saturday, with a system tracking through the Northern Plains. Track and strength of the system is uncertain, but the probabilities of seeing above an inch are 10-20% in central North Dakota. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1126 AM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 Current satellite shows clearing conditions in eastern ND and patchy fog diminishing slowly in NW MN. The patchy fog affects TVF and BJI through 21z. Visibilities may be restricted to a few miles at times. LIFR and IFR continues through 21z for TVF and BJI. DVL, GFK, and FAR remain VFR this afternoon. Winds are light and variable, but turn toward the south as a system approaches overnight (05z-08z). A band of light snow moves east across ND and NW MN Wednesday morning. DVL will be affected first around 07-09z followed by GFK, TVF, and FAR around 10-11z. Light snow continues through the end of the TAF period. BJI will see the snow last around 15-17z. As the snow moves through ceilings will be affected, with IFR to MVFR ceilings. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && DISCUSSION...Spender AVIATION...Spender
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 248 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 MNZ001-002-004>009-013>017-022-023-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030- 054-102100- West Polk-Norman-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall- East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-East Polk- North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-South Clearwater-Towner- Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson- Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Western Walsh- 248 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A band of light snow will move into the Devils Lake region late this evening, spreading into eastern North Dakota toward sunrise. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday This band of light snow will move across Red River Valley and into northwest Minnesota Wednesday morning. Snowfall totals with this first band are expected to range from a dusting up to 2 inches. After this, persistent light snow is expected through Thursday night, with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Finally, drifting snow is possible Wednesday night into Thursday, along and west of the Red River Valley, mainly in open country. Travelers should slow down, use caution, and check latest road conditions, as visibilities may be restricted and travel maybe slippery. Frigid air will move into the area for late this week through early next week, resulting in hazardous wind chills at times. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Snowfall reports are always appreciated. MNZ003-024-027>032-040-NDZ038-039-049-052-053-102100- Clay-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-West Otter Tail- East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland- 248 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A band of light snow will spread into eastern North Dakota toward sunrise. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday This band of light snow will move across Red River Valley and into west central Minnesota Wednesday morning. Snowfall totals with this first band are expected to range from a dusting up to 1 inch. After this, only lingering snow showers are expected, with additional accumulations up to 1 inch. Finally, drifting snow is possible Wednesday night into Thursday, along and west of the Red River Valley, mainly in open country. Travelers should slow down, use caution, and check latest road conditions, as visibilities may be restricted and travel maybe slippery. Frigid air will move into the area for late this week through early next week, resulting in hazardous wind chills at times. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Snowfall reports are always appreciated.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1242 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1239 PM Snow New York Mills 46.52N 95.37W
01/09/2024 M1.5 inch Otter Tail MN Public
1241 PM Snow Parkers Prairie 46.15N 95.33W
01/09/2024 M3.0 inch Otter Tail MN Public
1241 PM Snow 9 N Bemidji 47.61N 94.88W
01/09/2024 M2.3 inch Beltrami MN Public
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1244 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1242 PM Snow 3 N Menahga 46.79N 95.10W
01/09/2024 M0.5 inch Wadena MN Public
1243 PM Snow Blackduck 47.73N 94.55W
01/09/2024 M3.0 inch Beltrami MN Public
&&Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 310 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024- 026>030-038-039-049-052>054-101100- West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods- West Marshall-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake- East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen- South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin- West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Towner-Cavalier- Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks- Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland- Western Walsh- Including the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada, Hadler, Faith, Flaming, Syre, Twin Valley, Halstad, Moorhead, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Casperson, Fox, Hayes Lake State Park, Malung, Pencer, Roseau, Salol, Baudette, Radium, Warren, Englund, Florian, Stephen, Argyle, Newfolden, Middle River, Espelie, Gatzke, Grygla, Rosewood, Red Lake, Redby, Ponemah, Dakota Junction, Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, Fosston, Fertile, McIntosh, Erskine, Bagley, Clearbrook, Bemidji, Lavinia, Rosby, Mahnomen, Naytahwaush, Waubun, Alida, Ebro, Lake Itasca, Long Lost Lake, Lower Rice Lake, Roy Lake, Upper Rice Lake, Nary, Emmaville, Hubbard, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Shoreham, Wolf Lake, Breckenridge, Lawndale, Fergus Falls, Perham, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Henning, Battle Lake, Wadena, Staples Airport, Menahga, Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Ashby, Erdahl, Herman, Barrett, Cando, Considine, Dresden, Langdon, Maida, Mount Carmel, Vang, Akra, Backoo, Cavalier, Leroy, Walhalla, Bowesmont, Drayton, Fort Totten, Maddock, Leeds, Minnewaukan, Devils Lake, Grafton, Nash, Oakwood, Park River, New Rockford, Lakota, Mcville, Aneta, Tolna, Grand Forks, Cooperstown, Finley, Hope, Mayville, Hillsboro, Kelso, Hatton, Portland, Roseville, Valley City, Fargo, Lisbon, Enderlin, McLeod, Gwinner, Milnor, Forman, Rutland, Wahpeton, Adams, Lankin, and Fairdale 310 PM CST Tue Jan 9 2024 ...AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT ACROSS EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA... A band of light snow will move across Eastern North Dakota and into Northwestern Minnesota tonight into Wednesday morning. Snowfall totals with this first band are expected to range from a dusting up to 2 inches. After this, Southeastern North Dakota and West Central Minnesota will only have lingering snow showers, while areas along the Highway 200 corridor and points north will continue to see persistent light snow through Thursday night, with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Finally, drifting snow is possible Wednesday night into Thursday along and west of the Red River Valley, mainly in open country. Travelers should slow down, use caution, and check latest road conditions, as visibilities may be restricted and travel maybe slippery. Frigid air will move into the area for late this week through early next week, resulting in hazardous wind chills.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 blizzard, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Storm total snowfall (48 hour). Public report including picture of ruler in snow relayed by broadcast media.
CO-OP observer reports 100-500 foot visibility from Lancaster to Hallock. Started around sunrise and is still ongoing, with travel nearly impossible. In addition, HCO AWOS got down to 0.5 SM at its lowest and RWIS sites around Kittson county had visibility decrease down to 1/4SM during the morning hours.
Mesonet site reports 3 hours of 1/4SM visibility or less around Warren. Still ongoing at time of criteria.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Minnesota, January 2024
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: 1157384, 1157382, 1157383.