A strong winter storm system brought moderate to heavy snow, areas of freezing rain, and considerable blowing and drifting snow to much of west and central North Dakota from early morning Thursday, January 8th, through Friday afternoon, January 9th. This significant storm resulted in numerous no travel advisories being issued by law enforcement throughout the event due to freezing precipitation, heavy snow accumulations, and blowing and drifting snow blocking roadways.
A strong low pressure system developing in north central Montana early Thursday pushed southeast into the western Dakotas by Thursday night. Ahead of this storm system, a mixture of freezing rain and ice pellets resulted in the warm sector of the surface low across southwest and south central portions of the state Thursday afternoon and evening, resulting in several no travel advisories being issued by law enforcement due to ice covered roadways. Reported freezing rain accumulations through Thursday afternoon and evening ranged from a tenth to near one quarter of an inch.
As the surface low progressed southeast Thursday night, precipitation turned to all snow north to south as colder air wrapped into the storm system, and winds increased. A moderate to heavy band of snow developed from northwest North Dakota into central portions of the state Thursday night, before gradually dissipating Friday. In addition, considerable blowing and drifting snow developed due to the strong winds Thursday night into Friday afternoon, resulting in numerous blocked roads.  Total snow accumulations by Friday evening ranged from two to three inches on the perimeter of the heavy snow band to near ten inches within the center.

Winter Weather in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A travel alert was issued for Sioux County due to freezing rain and snow causing icy roadway conditions.

Heavy Snow in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate four to nine inches of snow fell across Mclean County, with the heaviest snow occurring in northern portions of the county. Cooperative observers reported snowfall of seven inches at Garrison and nine inches at Max. No travel was advised in northern McLean County due to the heavy snow accumulations and significant blowing and drifting snow.

Heavy Snow in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative obsevers reported snowfall of 7.5 inches at Stanley and nine inches at Tagus.

Heavy Snow in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate four to six inches of snow fell across Burleigh County, with the heaviest snow occurring in northern portions of the county. The cooperative observers at Wilton and Bismarck reported around five inches of snow along with a public report of six inches east of Bismarck.

Heavy Snow in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate near six inches of snow fell across western Foster County. The cooperative observer at Carrington reported 5.5 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 11:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A no travel advisory was issued for Slope County due to freezing rain and snow causing icy roadway conditions. Near blizzard conditions were also reported Friday morning.

Winter Storm in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A winter storm brought freezing precipitation Thursday afternoon and Thursday night, and areas of blowing and drifting snow on Friday. No travel was advised across Hettinger County due to freezing rain and snow creating very icy roadway conditions.

Heavy Snow in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 19:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate six to seven inches of snow fell across Wells County. Cooperative observers reported snowfall of six inches at Harvey and Sykeston, and seven inches at Fessenden.

Heavy Snow in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate four to around ten inches of snow fell across McHenry County. Cooperative observers reported snowfall of ten inches at Velva, eight inches at Balfour, and 6.6 inches at Karlsruhe. No travel was advised across McHenry County due to the heavy snow accumulations and significant blowing and drifting snow blocking many roadways.

Heavy Snow in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate six to around ten inches of snow fell across Ward County. The cooperative observer at Minot reported ten inches of snow. No travel was advised across Ward County due to the heavy snow accumulations and significant blowing and drifting snow blocking many roadways. In addition, many county schools and businesses were closed on Friday due to the weather.

Winter Storm in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A winter storm brought freezing precipitation Thursday afternoon and Thursday night, and areas of blowing and drifting snow on Friday. No travel was advised across Grant County due to freezing rain and snow creating very icy roadway conditions.

Heavy Snow in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 17:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate six to eight inches of snow fell across Sheridan County. The cooperative observer at McClusky reported eight inches of snow.

Winter Storm in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 08:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A winter storm brought freezing precipitation Thursday and Thursday night, and areas of blowing and drifting snow on Friday. No travel was advised across Billings County due to freezing rain and snow creating very icy roadway conditions. Reports of freezing rain accumulating on road surfaces were received late Thursday morning near Medora.

Heavy Snow in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate six to nine inches of snow fell across northern and eastern Williams County. Cooperative observers reported snowfall of eight inches at Tioga and 8.6 inches at Wildrose.

Winter Storm in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 08:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A winter storm brought freezing precipitation Thursday and Thursday night, and areas of snow and blowing and drifting snow on Friday. No travel was advised across McKenzie County due to freezing rain and snow creating very icy roadway conditions. One quarter inch of ice was reported on most surfaces near Sather Dam by early Thursday afternoon. The cooperative observer at Keene reported 6.9 inches of snow for Friday.

Heavy Snow in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate six to around ten inches of snow fell across Renville County. Reports of six to seven inches at Sherwood and eight to nine inches at Mohall were received. No travel was advised across Renville County due to the heavy snow accumulations and significant blowing and drifting snow blocking many  roadways.

Heavy Snow in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 17:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate four to seven inches of snow fell across Kidder County, with the heaviest snow occurring in northern portions of the county.

Winter Storm in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A winter storm brought freezing precipitation Thursday afternoon and Thursday night, and areas of blowing and drifting snow on Friday. No travel was advised across Morton County due to freezing rain and snow creating very icy roadway conditions.

Heavy Snow in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Around one foot of snow was reported across Burke County, resulting in all county schools being closed Friday. In addition, a no travel advisory was issued by law enforcement due to significant blowing and drifting snow blocking roadways.

Heavy Snow in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate four to near seven inches of snow fell across Bottineau County. The cooperative observer at Lansford reported 6.6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative obsever at Halliday reported six inches of snow.

Winter Weather in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 11:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A no travel advisory was issued by Bowman County law enforcement due to freezing rain and snow causing icy roads.

Heavy Snow in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate six to twelve inches of snow fell across Divide County. Cooperative observers reported snowfall of eight inches at Crosby, nine inches at Fortuna, and twelve inches at Ambrose. No travel was advised by law enforcement due to the heavy snow accumulations and low visibilities in falling and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate four to around six inches of snow fell across far southwestern Pierce County.

Heavy Snow in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Beulah reported 6.4 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 10:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A no travel advisory was issued by Golden Valley County law enforcement due to freezing rain and snow causing icy roads.

Winter Storm in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A winter storm brought freezing precipitation Thursday afternoon and Thursday night, and areas of blowing and drifting snow on Friday. No travel was advised by law enforcement across Stark County due to freezing rain and snow creating very icy roads. Broadcast media reported one eighth of an inch of ice accumulation on road surfaces by early Thursday afternoon.

Heavy Snow in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Cooperative observer and public reports indicate near six inches of snow fell across northern Oliver County.

Winter Weather in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 08-JAN-09 11:00:00 to 09-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A no travel advisory was issued by Adams County law enforcement due to freezing rain and snow causing icy roads.