Blizzard — Richland, North Dakota

2025-12-18 · Richland, North Dakota

Event narrative

North Dakota Highway Patrol reported via social media a five-vehicle crash occurred on I-29 near mile marker 19 during near whiteout conditions. Initial fender-bender crashes occurred on the shoulder. While first responders were working to reach the scene, a semi truck traveling approximately 65 mph struck the crash scene, resulting in two injuries. Due to extreme low visibility, it took approximately one hour for first responders to safely arrive. Time of incident unknown and estimated based on observed blizzard conditions at nearby KBWP between 1055 to 1455 CST.

Wider weather episode

A strong clipper type system moved through the Northern Plains and upper Midwest, and brought hazardous winter impacts and high winds to eastern North Dakota and northwest and west central Minnesota. Initially rain and freezing rain fell ahead of the snow, followed by flash freeze conditions as light to moderate snow developed and brought 1 to 4 inches of snowfall to the region. Peak winds were in the 60 to 72 mph range during this evening and combined with falling snow to produce blizzard conditions. The icy roads exacerbated difficult to impossible travel as blizzard conditions developed. I-29 was closed in northeast North Dakota from Grand Forks to the US Canada border.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1307401. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.