On March 6, strong surface low pressure deepened over southwest North Dakota and gradually moved towards the northeast as an upper level trough deepened over eastern Montana before closing off over North Dakota. Widespread snow developed over northern North Dakota and combined with very strong winds to produce blizzard conditions. To the south, much less snow fell, though strong winds prevailed. The snow gradually diminished and moved to the east during the evening of March 6, but the very strong winds continued. This led to a ground blizzard continuing across the north through the day on March 7. Large drifts formed from the blizzard, which led to an Amtrak passenger train getting stuck approximately 5 miles west of Rugby, Pierce County. About 50 high school students in Minot, Ward County, had to spend the night at a local hotel because they could not return to the Minot Air Force Base. In Glenburn, Renville County, about 150 students, along with most of the staff, had to spend the night at the school, with a few having to spend a second night as roads remained blocked.

High Wind in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gust is estimated for Dunn County using the Dickinson ASOS in Stark County.

High Wind in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gust is estimated for Billings County using the Dickinson ASOS in Stark County.

High Wind in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Wind gust is estimated for Golden Valley County using the Sand Creek RAWS in Slope County.

Heavy Snow in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 09:00:00 to 06-MAR-17 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Seven inches of snow fell in Williston.

Heavy Snow in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 09:00:00 to 06-MAR-17 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

An estimated seven inches of snow fell in southern Divide County.

Blizzard in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 11:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

High Wind in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Bismarck ASOS reported a wind gust of 66 mph.

Blizzard in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

High Wind in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Jamestown ASOS reported a wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Dickinson ASOS reported a wind gust of 65 mph.

Blizzard in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

High Wind in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Garrison ASOS reported a wind gust of 61 mph.

High Wind in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 12:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Hettinger ASOS reported a wind gust of 63 mph.

Blizzard in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 16:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 11:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Strong winds combined with fresh snow on the ground along with falling snow to produce a blizzard.

High Wind in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Hazen AWOS reported a wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Harvey AWOS reported a wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 12:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Wind gust is estimated for Bowman County using the Sand Creek RAWS in Slope County.

High Wind in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Carrington AWOS reported a wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Glen Ullin AWOS reported a wind gust of 69 mph.

High Wind in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-17 12:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Sand Creek RAWS reported a wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Tatanka Prairie RAWS reported a wind gust of 71 mph.

High Wind in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Linton AWOS reported a wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gust is estimated for Dickey County using the Gwinner AWOS in Sargent County.

High Wind in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gust is estimated for LaMoure County using the Jamestown ASOS in Stutsman County.

High Wind in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gust is estimated for Kidder County using the Jamestown ASOS in Stutsman County.

High Wind in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gust is estimated for Logan County using the Jamestown ASOS in Stutsman County.

High Wind in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gust is estimated for McIntosh County using the Linton AWOS in Emmons County.

High Wind in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gust is estimated for Sheridan County using the Harvey AWOS in Wells County.

High Wind in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gust is estimated for Oliver County using the Hazen AWOS in Mercer County.

High Wind in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gust is estimated for Grant County using the Glen Ullin AWOS in Morton County.

High Wind in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 07-MAR-17 06:00:00 to 07-MAR-17 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gust is estimated for Hettinger County using the Dickinson ASOS in Stark County.