A powerful late spring storm system swept across the Northern Plains region April 29th into May 1st. Significant amounts of moisture was drawn into the storm from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to heavy amounts of precipitation over west and central North Dakota.  Strong cold air advection on the back side of the surface low resulted in a changeover from rain to freezing rain and eventually to heavy wet snow from west to east during this event.
In addition, a tight pressure gradient and strong pressure rises on the back side of the surface low resulted in the development of very strong winds ranging from 40 to 60 mph across much of the region. Some reporting stations observed peak wind gusts in excess of 75 mph.
Parts of western and north central North Dakota were hit the hardest, experiencing a prolonged period of very strong winds, freezing precipitation, and the heaviest snow of up to 14 inches. Impacts here were extreme and devastating, as the ice and heavy wet snow combined with the strong winds to knock down numerous trees and power lines, resulting in the loss of power to thousands, as well as stranding many motorists. Across the southwest and central impacts were less severe, however the widespread blizzard conditions still resulted in numerous road closures and travel advisories.  Far south central and eastern North Dakota received very little snowfall but still experienced the high winds.
A preliminary damage assessment by state officials documented an estimated 6.5 million dollars in damages, leading the North Dakota Governor to issue a State Disaster Declaration. Over 1,500 power transmission structures were damaged, and estimated livestock losses were more than 1,000. Also, one direct fatality and one direct injury were attributed to the storm near New England in Hettinger County, where a two-vehicle head on crash occurred due to low visibilities in the blizzard.
See also storm data entries for May 2011.

High Wind in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 12:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting over 50 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. Travel advisories were issued by county officials for all county roads due to the adverse conditions. This event continued into May 1st.

Blizzard in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Up to seven inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow, along with icy road conditions which resulted from a period of freezing rain which preceeded the snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. One of the adverse effects caused by the storm and disruption in power included calve losses.

Blizzard in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 10:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. This event continued into May 1st.

Blizzard in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 12:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting over 50 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. This event continued into May 1st.

Blizzard in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Up to five inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow, along with icy road conditions which resulted from a period of freezing rain which preceeded the snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. Adverse effects caused by the storm and disruption in power included significant losses to agriculture and livestock.

Blizzard in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Up to ten inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Thundersnow was observed at Crosby. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. Some of the adverse effects caused by the disruption in power included reports of water and sewage backups, along with livestock producers reporting substantial losses of calves.

High Wind in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 10:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. Travel advisories were issued by county officials for all county roads due to the adverse conditions. This event continued into May 1st.

High Wind in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Blizzard in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Up to 11 inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 65 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. Some of the adverse effects caused by the disruption in power included reports of water and sewage backups, and thousands of dollars in damages from the loss of refrigerated and frozen foods.

Blizzard in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 12:00:00 to 30-APR-11 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. Travel advisories were issued by county officials for all county roads due to the adverse conditions.

Blizzard in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Up to 14 inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 65 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. Significant numbers of cattle and calves were lost as a result of the power outages and extreme weather conditions.

Blizzard in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. Travel advisories were issued by county officials for all county roads due to the adverse conditions.

Blizzard in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Up to 14 inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 65 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow, resulting in numerous road closures including Interstate 94 from Dickinson to the Montana border. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across portions of the county.

Blizzard in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in blizzard conditions across portions of the county.

Blizzard in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Up to 14 inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 65 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow, resulting in numerous road closures including Interstate 94 from Dickinson to the Montana border.

Blizzard in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in blizzard conditions across portions of the county.

Blizzard in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An estimated six to eight inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to around 65 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow.

Blizzard in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 10:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. Travel advisories were issued by county officials for all county roads due to the adverse conditions. This event continued into May 1st.

Blizzard in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 80 mph to result in blizzard conditions across portions of the county.

Blizzard in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to six inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to around 65 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was nearly impossible due to whiteout conditions and area roads blocked by snow. Multiple trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to power outages across portions of the county.

Blizzard in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Up to near 11 inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. Adverse effects caused by the storm and disruption in power included losses to livestock.

High Wind in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in blizzard conditions across portions of the county.

High Wind in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Up to five inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was difficult if not impossible due to the blizzard. Numerous roads were closed including Interstate 94 from Dickinson to the Montana border.

Blizzard in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 02:00:00 to 30-APR-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. One direct fatality and one direct injury occurred a few miles north of New England when two vehicles collided head on in white out conditions.

High Wind in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 30-APR-11 10:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 60 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions across the county. This event continued into May 1st.