Very light freezing drizzle fell across southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota during the early morning hours of the 25th, producing slick roads in spots. As a strong low pressure system moved out of Colorado and tracked to the north-northeast, temperatures rose from just below freezing to just above freezing across southeast North Dakota and west central and northwest Minnesota. This resulted in periods of rain, freezing rain, and/or sleet for these areas through the afternoon of the 25th into the early morning hours of the 26th. The surface low eventually tracked right over the Fargo-Moorhead area around sunrise on the morning of December 26th. This kept early morning temperatures on the 26th in the lower 30s over southeast North Dakota into west central Minnesota, while northwest of the surface low, the temperature at Devils Lake on the morning of the 26th was about 20 degrees colder. Significant accumulations of ice occurred over southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota, with tree damage and numerous power outages. Meanwhile, heavy amounts of snow fell across the Devils Lake region into the northern Red River Valley, where there were reports of 12 to 18 inches of snow. Less snow fell across northwest Minnesota, but it combined with freezing rain and sleet. As the surface low tracked into north central Minnesota during the late morning of the 26th, northwest winds strengthened and gusted up to 50 mph. This resulted in blizzard conditions across the Devils Lake and Red River Valley regions. Interstate 94 was closed in North Dakota, Interstate 29 was closed from Grand Forks to the Canadian border, and U. S. Highway 2 was closed from Grand Forks to Minot. Many schools and airports closed during the storm.

Blizzard in EASTERN WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 03:51:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 03:51:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in GRIGGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in TOWNER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in CAVALIER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in WESTERN WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet