Blizzard in Oliver, North Dakota

Strong winds, occasional falling snow, and snow on the ground combined to produce a blizzard.

A Colorado Low slowly lifted towards the Upper Midwest, resulting in a multi-day heavy snow event over the Northern Plains, which included western and central North Dakota. The heaviest snow fell over parts of south-central North Dakota into the James River Valley, with some locations reporting as much as 25 inches of snow. Strong winds then developed on the second day of the episode, which continued into the third day. The winds combined with snow already on the ground, along with occasional falling snow, to produce a blizzard across all of western and central North Dakota.