Blizzard — Divide, North Dakota

2023-03-10 to 2023-03-11 · Divide, North Dakota

Event narrative

Strong winds combined with snow on the ground and occasional falling snow to create a blizzard.

Wider weather episode

Surface low pressure moved from near the Montana and Wyoming border into North Dakota during the night of March 10. Snow developed as the low approached, with blizzard conditions developing over northwest into much of central North Dakota as southeasterly winds increased and combined with the falling snow and deep loose snow on the ground. As the low continued to track over North Dakota, a cold front moved into the area on March 11 resulting in a wind shift to the west. The strong winds that developed behind the cold front brought blizzard conditions to southwest and far south central North Dakota, while blizzard conditions continue over the rest of the area. Winds diminished during the evening and late night hours of March 11, with conditions improving. Before the onset of the blizzard, light snow with blowing snow over northwest North Dakota led to icy roads. A semi-tractor pulling a pneumatic sand trailer was traveling north on Highway 85 near mile marker 178, just south of the Missouri River bridge, in McKenzie County, while a pickup truck was traveling south. The pickup truck lost control and crossed into the northbound lanes, colliding with the semi-tractor/trailer. The driver of the pickup, a 29 year old male, was ejected from the vehicle and died (indirect). The driver of the semi-tractor/trailer, a 67 year old male, suffered serious non-life threatening injuries (indirect).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1085479. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.