A powerful and complex winter storm made a direct hit on North Dakota from late in the afternoon on February 8th, through early in the morning on the 11th. Winter Storm and Ice Storm warnings were issued in advance of this storm system as it developed across the southwest part of the nation. As the storm ejected into the plains on Sunday, the first wave of precipitation quickly overspread west and central North Dakota during the evening. Fortunately, warm and moist air preceding this system, coinciding with surface temperatures above freezing, resulted in most of the precipitation falling as rain with much less ice accumulation than expected.
As the storm continued to move northeast on Monday, colder air was pulled south into North Dakota resulting in the second wave of precipitation from the 9th through early on the 11th to fall as all snow. A stationary north to south oriented band of moderate to heavy snow developed across western North Dakota Monday night, and persisted into the day on Tuesday, before gradually shifting eastward Tuesday night. This band of heavy snow remained just to the west of Bismarck and Minot, sparing these areas of the heavier snow amounts which ranged from 8 to 20 inches over western parts of the state.
The heavy snow closed several area highways including Interstate 94 from Dickinson to Mandan Tuesday night, and also resulted in county officials issuing numerous no travel advisories over the west.

Heavy Snow in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A storm total fourteen inches of snow was reported 27 miles northeast of Williston. The heavy snow combined with previous snowfall resulted in roof and other minor structural damage.

Heavy Snow in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A storm total snowfall of six to eight inches was reported over the western half of the county.

Heavy Snow in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A storm total snowfall of seven inches was reported at Beulah.

Heavy Snow in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 13:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An estimated storm total snowfall of six inches fell over northern Hettinger County.

Heavy Snow in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An estimated storm total snowfall of six inches fell over western Oliver County.

Heavy Snow in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An estimated storm total six inches of snow fell across northern Golden Valley County.

Heavy Snow in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An estimated storm total six inches of snow fell across northern Billings County.

Heavy Snow in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total eleven inches of snow was reported at Crosby.

Heavy Snow in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total ten inches of snow was reported at Watford City.

Heavy Snow in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 13:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of eight inches was reported at Dickinson.

Heavy Snow in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 16:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A storm total 14 inches of snow was reported at New Town.

Heavy Snow in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 16:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total 9.5 inches of snow fell in Kenmare.

Heavy Snow in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 13:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of nine inches was reported at Hebron.

Heavy Snow in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 12:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of twenty inches fell 20 miles south of Elgin.

Heavy Snow in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A storm total twelve inches of snow was reported at Portal.

Heavy Snow in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 18:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An estimated storm total of six inches of snow fell over western Renville County.

Heavy Snow in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 09-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 10-FEB-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of twelve inches was reported at Halliday.