An upper level trough swinging into the Northern Plains, combined with a strong low pressure system ejecting out of the Rockies and into the Central Plains, resulted in heavy snow and blizzard conditions across much of west and central North Dakota. This episode occurred from March 22nd into the 23rd.
Warmer air surging north ahead of this storm system resulted in a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet across much of the west and south central portions of the state at first, while all snow fell over the north central.  Colder air pushing south eventually transitioned the precipitation to all snow. While there were some ice accumulations across the south, ice impacts were minor.
Heavy snow fell from west central North Dakota, through much of the south central and James River Basin region. Storm total snowfall amounts within this band ranged from eight inches to one foot, with locally higher amounts including 18.2 inches near Beulah. In addition to the snow, wind gusts up to 45 mph developed across far northwest and all of north central North Dakota resulting in several hours of blizzard conditions.
Numerous travel advisories and several road closures resulted from this storm, including the closure of Interstate 94 from Bismarck to Fargo, Highway 83 from Bismarck to the Canadian border, and Highway 2 from Berthold to Rugby.
This was a prolonged and very complicated storm to warn for as potential was high for various types of warning criteria to be met.

Blizzard in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of seven inches was reported at Tagus.

Winter Storm in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 9.5 inches was reported at Minot.

Winter Storm in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 15 inches was reported at Halliday.

Winter Storm in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 13 inches was reported at Fessenden.

Winter Storm in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 10 inches was reported near McHenry.

Winter Storm in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 10.4 inches was reported near Bismarck.

Winter Storm in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 18.2 inches was reported at Beulah.

Winter Storm in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 9.5 inches was reported at Watford City.

Winter Storm in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 8.5 inches was reported at Hebron.

Winter Storm in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 9.5 inches was reported near Center.

Winter Storm in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 11 inches was reported at Jamestown.

Winter Storm in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 10 inches was reported at Velva.

Winter Storm in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An estimated storm total snowfall up to eight inches fell over southern Pierce County.

Winter Storm in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount near six inches was reported at Lansford.

Winter Storm in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 14.5 inches was reported at Underwood.

Winter Storm in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A storm total snowfall amount of 6.4 inches was reported at the National Weather Service Office in Williston.

Blizzard in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 to 23-MAR-11 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 13 inches was reported at McClusky.

Winter Storm in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 10 inches was reported at Carson.

Winter Storm in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 6.8 inches was reported at Dickinson.

Blizzard in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of eight inches was reported at Verona.

Blizzard in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of eight inches was reported at Fairfield.

Winter Storm in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of eight inches was reported at Golva.

Blizzard in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of seven inches was reported at Mott.

Winter Storm in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An estimated storm total snowfall of six to eight inches fell across Sioux County.

Blizzard in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall of 8.2 inches was reported at Hazelton.

Winter Storm in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A storm total snowfall amount of 14 inches was reported at Merricourt.

Blizzard in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An estimated storm total snowfall of six to eight inches fell across Logan County.

Winter Storm in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An estimated storm total snowfall of six to eight inches fell across McIntosh County.

Blizzard in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Winter Storm in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 10:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An estimated storm total snowfall amount of five to 10 inches fell over portions of Kidder County.

Blizzard in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 13:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

East winds of 35 to 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing snow on the ground to create several hours of blizzard conditions.