A strong upper level trough deepened over North Dakota before closing off and nearly stalling, which was poorly projected by forecast models until the day of the event, while a strong cold front swept through the region. Snow began to fall over many portions of North Dakota on the morning of December 5, with several inches of accumulation noted by mid-day over many locations. As the cold front swept through, winds greatly increased from northwest to southeast with visibility rapidly deteriorating as wind gusts increased to around 50 mph over much of the area. Many roads across the region were closed or blocked. Falling snow stared to taper off very gradually from west to east on December 6, though strong winds continued to bring widespread blowing snow and blizzard conditions to many locations. By the late evening of December 6 conditions had improved in western North Dakota. The blizzard continued over much of the central part of the state and the James River Valley into the morning of December 7. Multiple days passed before some roads, particularly in and near the upper James River Valley, were opened.

Heavy Snow in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Locations near Rugby received 12 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Locations near Bottineau received 22 inches of snow.

Blizzard in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Heavy Snow in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Locations northeast of Drake received 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Locations near Belcourt received 14 inches of snow.

Blizzard in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 10:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 10:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Heavy Snow in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Locations near Carrington received 20 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Locations near Harvey received 14 inches of snow.

Blizzard in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 05-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 07-DEC-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds combined to produce a blizzard.