An inverted trough extending north from an area of surface low pressure over the central plains, brought heavy snow to portions of west and central North Dakota from Wednesday, December 29th until early Thursday, December 30th.  Short wave impulses originating from an upper trough enhanced the snowfall, and led to storm total amounts up to seven inches over some areas.
Forcing for snow eventually pushed further east, with an enhanced area of snow developing over the southern James River Basin from Thursday, December 30th through Friday, December 31st. Up to near fourteen inches of snow was reported.
In addition to the heavy snow, as the surface low over the central plains lifted northeast into the Upper Mississippi Valley December 30th and 31st, a strong pressure gradient developed over central South Dakota and eastern North Dakota. A prolonged period of strong winds over 40 mph, combined with continued snowfall and fresh snow cover on the ground, resulted in blizzard conditions over portions of south central North Dakota from Thursday December 30th through the morning hours of Saturday, January 1st.
Numerous travel advisories were issued by state and county officials during this event. Several road closures also occurred, including Interstate 94 from Jamestown to Fargo for several days, and Bismarck to Jamestown New Year's Eve Night through the morning hours of New Year's Eve Day (See Storm Data for January 2011).

Blizzard in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 6.9 inches was reported in Ashley. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Blizzard in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 10 inches was reported in Verona. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Blizzard in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 7 inches was reported in Linton. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Blizzard in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 19.5 inches was reported at Oakes. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Blizzard in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 3 to 5 inches fell over Sioux County. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Blizzard in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 3 to 5 inches fell over Foster County. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Heavy Snow in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 11:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A storm total snowfall of 6.4 inches was reported in Watford City by the public.

Heavy Snow in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An estimated storm total snowfall of 6 inches was reported over portions of Mountrail County.

Heavy Snow in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer in Minot reported a storm total snowfall of 6 inches.

Heavy Snow in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer in Drake reported a storm total snowfall of 7 inches.

Blizzard in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 6.5 inches was reported in Napoleon. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Heavy Snow in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 11:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The National Weather Service in Williston reported a storm total snowfall of 7.1 inches.

Heavy Snow in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An estimated storm total snowfall of 6 inches fell over portions Pierce County.

Blizzard in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 9 inches was reported in Jamestown. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011. Interstate 94 from Bismarck to Jamestown was closed from Friday night December 31st through Saturday morning January 1st. Interstate 94 east of Jamestown was closed from December 30th through January 2nd.

Heavy Snow in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 13:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer in Butte reported a storm total snowfall of 7 inches.

Blizzard in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 5 to 8 inches fell over Kidder County. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.

Heavy Snow in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 29-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 30-DEC-10 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The cooperative observer in Halliday reported a storm total snowfall of 6 inches.

Blizzard in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 31-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 31-DEC-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 3 to 5 inches fell over Wells County. Strong northerly winds up to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce a prolonged period of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions continued January 1st, 2011.