ALT Graphic showing potential for 6" of snow across southern MN and west-central WI Saturday through Sunday night. Alongside text.

ALT A few days out: if the forecast calls for winter weather, start preparing now. Have emergency supplies for your home & car. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replenish fuel for your car and heating sources. The day before: forecast accuracy continues to improve, so keep checking the latest. Adjust plans. Have multiple ways to receive Warnings. Bring pets indoors and ensure they have water. During and after: remain vigilant and stay informed. Drive only if necessary. Check on neighbors and family. Properly ventilate emergency heat sources. Keep generators at least 20 feet from your home. Take it easy when shoveling.

ALT Blizzard conditions and accumulating snow will lead to very difficult to impossible travel in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota starting this afternoon/evening, lasting into early Friday morning. High winds to 60 mph will make for very difficult travel, especially for high profile vehicles, and perhaps result in scattered power outages. Avoid travel unless it is an emergency, and prepare for power outages.

ALT An informational weather graphic from the National Weather Service Grand Forks titled Blizzard Sunday Timing, issued on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2:25 PM. The left side features a map of Eastern North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota with shaded blue regions and timestamps indicating when winds will drastically increase. Timestamps range from 4:00 AM in the west near Carrington to 12:00 PM in the east near Bemidji and Roseau. The Timing Information section on the right explains that northwest winds will increase from northwest to southeast overnight, with blizzard conditions beginning after the wind increase Sunday morning. A blue highlight box at the bottom right states that the worst weather conditions will occur Sunday morning through the early evening in eastern North Dakota and the Red River Valley. The bottom of the image includes the National Weather Service logo and social media links.

ALT A blizzard warning is now in effect until 6am across the northern Red River Valley. Near blizzard conditions will continue in open country within the central and southern Red River Valley. Expect very difficult to near impossible travel in these areas. Elsewhere, blowing snow and falling snow continue to reduce visibility, occasionally bringing very poor conditions in other areas within eastern North Dakota. Make sure to check road conditions before heading out, and be prepare for these conditions afternoon and evening.

ALT Observed upper air sounding from 6am this morning showing good freezing rain chance.