A significant winter storm impacted all of western and central North Dakota beginning Sunday evening, January 11th, and lasting through the morning hours of Monday, January 12th. A blizzard warning was posted well in advance of this storm, with the warning lead time around twenty hours. The blizzard warning encompassed the entire National Weather Service Bismarck County Warning Area, 36 counties, all of which had a blizzard.
Periods of light to moderate snow and blizzard conditions, very strong winds creating significant blowing and drifting snow and near zero visibilities, forced numerous road closures and the issuance of no travel advisories by law enforcement officials throughout the event. Conditions improved northwest to southeast later Monday morning as snow ended and the strong winds subsided.
Strong surface low pressure developed across the high plains of Alberta during the day Sunday, then moved rapidly southeast across western and central North Dakota Sunday evening through early Monday morning. Isentropic upglide ahead of the surface low resulted in a band of light to moderate snow developing Sunday afternoon and evening west to east, with anywhere from one to five inches of snow being reported by Monday morning. The heaviest snow (three to five inches) fell from far northwest North Dakota through much of central North Dakota and into the James River Valley area.
As this intense Alberta Clipper moved across the state Sunday night, strong northwest winds developed. Wind speeds were 25 to 45 mph sustained with gusts of 40 to near 60 mph for several hours. The strong winds combined with falling snow and abundant loose snow already on the ground to create a widespread and prolonged blizzard.

Blizzard in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to five inches.

Blizzard in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from a trace to around one inch.

Blizzard in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to four inches.

Blizzard in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to four inches.

Blizzard in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to four inches.

Blizzard in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to three inches.

Blizzard in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from a trace to around one inch.

Blizzard in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to two inches.

Blizzard in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to five inches.

Blizzard in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to five inches.

Blizzard in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to four inches.

Blizzard in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to three inches.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Very strong northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged one to two inches.

Blizzard in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Very strong northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to two inches.

Blizzard in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to five inches.

Blizzard in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Very strong northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to two inches.

Blizzard in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to two inches.

Blizzard in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to three inches.

Blizzard in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to four inches.

Blizzard in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Very strong northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from a trace to around one inch.

Blizzard in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to three inches.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to four inches.

Blizzard in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from two to three inches.

Blizzard in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.

Blizzard in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions across the county. Storm total snowfall accumulations by Monday morning ranged from one to three inches.