Winter Storm in Williams, North Dakota

A trough of low pressure extended from the northern plains into an area of intense low pressure system over the central plains. A strong upper level short wave accompanied the surface trough as it moved through the northern plains on New Years day. Heavy snow fell along and east of the surface trough with 6 to 8 inches of snowfall during the day. Northwest winds to 40 mph brought bitter cold wind chills to 65 below zero and low visibilities in blowing snow west of the surface trough. Two fatalities were contributed to the storm. In southcentral North Dakota at Bismarck a man (age unknown) died from a heart attack while shovelling snow. In northcentral North Dakota near Rolette poor visibility stranded a vehicle which an elderly women left to seek help and died from exposure to the cold. She came within 75 feet of a farm house but was unable to see it.