Strong winds developed over western and central North Dakota as a deep low pressure system moved along the border between North and South Dakota and into central Minnesota, and a strong pressure gradient developed. An affiliated upper level trough moving through the region resulted in snow. Over western and much of central North Dakota snow was minimal resulting in little impact to visibility. Greater snow amounts occurred over the southern James River Valley, which combined with the strong winds to produce a blizzard during the morning hours.

High Wind in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

New Town NDDOT site reported a sustained wind of 40 mph.

High Wind in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Sterling NDDOT site reported a sustained wind of 40 mph.

High Wind in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Williams Lookout RAWS reported a sustained wind of 44 mph.

High Wind in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Williams County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mountrail County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Dunn County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Billings County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in GOLDEN VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Golden Valley County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Stark County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Slope County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Bowman County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Adams County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Grant County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

McLean County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Sheridan County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Kidder County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Emmons County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Morton County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

High Wind in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 ES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Oliver County had estimated sustained winds of 40 mph.

Blizzard in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Ongoing and previously fallen snow combined with strong winds to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ongoing and previously fallen snow combined with strong winds to produce a blizzard.

Blizzard in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ongoing and previously fallen snow combined with strong winds to produce a blizzard.