Winter Storm Warning Issued for Pennington, Red Lake, and East Polk Counties Through Friday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, ND, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Northwest Minnesota. The alert is effective immediately and remains in place until 7:00 AM CDT Friday.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers East Polk, Pennington, and Red Lake Counties.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for heavy snow and significant areas of blowing snow. Total snow accumulations are forecasted to range between 2 and 6 inches. Additionally, wind gusts are expected to reach as high as 50 mph. These conditions will lead to slippery road surfaces and sudden reductions in visibility.

Timeline

The onset of the storm conditions is expected around 1:00 PM CDT on Thursday, March 12. The warning is scheduled to remain in effect until 7:00 AM CDT on Friday, March 13. These hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact both the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes.

What You Should Do

Travel is expected to be difficult, particularly in rural areas prone to blowing snow where visibility may drop suddenly. If travel is necessary, the NWS recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle for emergencies. For the latest road conditions, residents can call 511.