A significant and complex spring storm impacted southwest and south central North Dakota beginning Sunday, March 29th, and lasting into Tuesday, March 31st. Winter storm warnings and blizzard warnings were posted well in advance of the storm. Warning lead time averaged around 18 hours.
Surface low pressure developed across the central Rockies early on Sunday, then moved into the central plains Monday into Tuesday. As this occurred, a band of moderate to heavy snow developed over southwestern North Dakota early Sunday afternoon, spreading into the south central later Sunday afternoon and evening where strong frontogenetical forcing coincided with large scale ascent ahead of the parent upper level low. This area of forcing remained quasi-stationary along the Interstate 94 corridor from Dickinson to just east of Bismarck, where snowfall rates early Monday morning ranged from one to two inches per hour. Snow gradually ended across the southwest Monday night, but continued well into Tuesday over the south central.
Additionally, strong northwest winds of 20 to 45 mph accompanyed the snow and produced widespread blizzard conditions mainly south of Interstate 94 closer to the North Dakota and South Dakota border.
Widespread 14 inch or greater storm total snowfall amounts were common across southwest and south central North Dakota during this event, with a few isolated reports greater than 20 inches. No travel advisories, road closures, including Interstate 94 from Bismarck to the Montana border, and school and business closures were common during this significant spring storm.

Heavy Snow in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Forbes reported a storm total snow amount of 16 inches.

Blizzard in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 15.1 inches in Carson, 22 inches in Elgin, and 20 inches at Heart Butte. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 23:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Forbes reported a storm total snow amount of 16 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 17:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 16 inches in Flasher and 22 inches at Glen Ullin. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 12.5 inches in Dickinson and 15 inches at Richardton. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions into Monday afternoon. Afterwards the winds subsided but snow continued to fall into Monday evening.

Blizzard in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 18:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The National Weather Service Forecast Office at Bismarck reported a storm total snow amount of 17.1 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at LaMoure reported a storm total snow amount of 15 inches.

Heavy Snow in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The National Weather Service Forecast Office at Bismarck reported a storm total snow amount of 17.1 inches.

Blizzard in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 15:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 17 inches in Hague, 17.4 inches in Hazelton, and 20 inches at Linton. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Marmarth reported a storm total snow amount of 16 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Bowman reported a storm total snow amount of 15.9 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Center reported a storm total snow amount of seven inches.

Blizzard in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 17:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 13.7 inches in Ashley and 19 inches at Wishek. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 13.7 inches in Ashley and 19 inches at Wishek.

Blizzard in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 17:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Napoleon reported a storm total snow amount of 14.5 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 15:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Fort Yates reported a storm total snow amount of 18 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 14 inches in Hettinger and 11 inches in Reeder. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 23:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at LaMoure reported a storm total snow amount of 15 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Mott reported a storm total snow amount of 15 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-09 10:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Napoleon reported a storm total snow amount of 14.5 inches.

Blizzard in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of eight inches in Fairfield and 12.5 inches at Medora. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 16 inches in Flasher and 22 inches at Glen Ullin.

Heavy Snow in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Steele reported a storm total snow amount of nine inches.

Blizzard in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 23:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of eight inches in Jamestown, 11 inches at Montpelier, and 13 inches in Courtenay. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 19:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Steele reported a storm total snow amount of nine inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-MAR-09 12:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Beach reported a storm total snow amount of 13 inches. The heavy snow combined with strong northwest winds resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Heavy Snow in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 30-MAR-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of 12.5 inches in Dickinson and 15 inches at Richardton.

Heavy Snow in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-09 15:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer at Carrington reported a storm total snow amount of 8.5 inches.

Heavy Snow in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Cooperative observers reported storm total snow amounts of eight inches in Jamestown, 11 inches at Montpelier, and 13 inches in Courtenay.