North Dakota continues to experience a prolonged period of snowy and cold weather, impacting regions across the state, including Bowman County. As reported by the Bowman County Pioneer, the persistent winter conditions are not only disrupting daily life but also pushing some areas towards record snowfall levels.
The Bismarck region, according to weather experts, is currently less than a foot away from surpassing its historical snowfall record of 101 inches, set decades ago. With a significant portion of March and April still remaining within the typical snow season, there’s a strong possibility of this record being broken. The continuous cycle of storms has blanketed much of North Dakota, with Bowman, Slope, and Adams counties also bearing the brunt of the recent weather events.
These severe weather conditions have led to widespread travel disruptions. No Travel advisories and warnings have been issued across the region, significantly hindering transportation and daily commutes. Notably, a recent storm system effectively shut down the entire state from March 5th to March 7th, and again over the weekend of March 9th to March 12th, highlighting the severity and widespread impact of the weather.
Jeff Schild, speaking from the National Weather Service office in Bismarck on Monday, acknowledged the intense weather pattern. “We went through quite an active stretch there,” Schild stated. While he indicated a potential easing of the pattern, he also cautioned about another system approaching. “It looks like the pattern should ease up some, but it looks like we have another system coming through late Wednesday and into Thursday. There may be a little additional snow and even some freezing rain in the area, but this one does not appear as intense as what we have had moving through recently.”
Weather conditions in North Dakota causing travel disruptions.
Schild further elaborated on the specific impact on the Bowman area in southwest North Dakota, noting the challenging wind conditions associated with the most recent storm. “Speaking for the Bowman area in southwest North Dakota, this last one (storm) was really a tough one because what we had was an easterly wind blowing initially and then we had a little pause, with a quick switch to the west-northwest. It really made conditions deteriorate on Sunday,” he explained. This wind shift exacerbated the already difficult situation, leading to widespread road closures and No Travel advisories throughout the state.
The western parts of North Dakota experienced significant snowfall over the weekend, with some areas receiving four inches or more. Schild provided specific snowfall amounts for various locations: “Grassy Butte had four inches of snow. Killdeer had 4.8, Heartbeat Dam (Grant County) had 5.4 inches…,” he detailed. Bowman County itself also recorded four inches of snow during this period, adding to the already substantial snowpack.
The relentless snowfall is pushing Bismarck closer to a new seasonal record. “It is sitting at 92.5 inches. Our record is from the 1996-1997 winter when we had 101.6 inches. We still have a lot of time for it to snow,” Schild pointed out, emphasizing the potential for the record to be broken in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, the forecast for Bowman County indicates a shift towards colder temperatures. Daytime temperatures in Bowman are expected to decline from the low 40s on Tuesday to a frigid 10 degrees by Friday. A gradual warming trend is anticipated over the weekend, with temperatures rising to 15 degrees on Saturday, 29 degrees on Sunday, and 30 degrees on Monday. The forecast suggests temperatures will remain in the 30s for the remainder of the upcoming week. Nighttime temperatures are predicted to plummet to sub-zero levels on Friday and Saturday nights before beginning to climb again.
Photo of snowy landscape in Bowman County, North Dakota.
Photo by Brad Mosher.
Residents of Bowman County and North Dakota are advised to stay informed about weather updates and travel advisories as the state continues to navigate these challenging winter conditions.
