Strong winds and snow (updated)

Update 1:20 PM:

Strong gusty winds combined with snow created blizzard like conditions for parts of the Red River Valley overnight and this morning.

A top wind gust of 66 mph was clocked in both Fargo and at the Grand Forks Airport. East Grand Forks reported a blast of 59 mph and the GFAFB peaked at 55.

The North Dakota DOT and Highway Patrol have re-opened I-29 between Grand Forks and Fargo. (I-29 and a stretch of I-94 had been closed.)

All state highways are now open, but icy road conditions may still exist across the state. Motorists should slow down, allow plenty of time and drive for conditions.

MnDOT says I-94 between Fergus Falls and Moorhead has re-opened as of noon.

Earlier, Highway 2 was closed from Crookston to the North Dakota border…but MnDOT has lifted road closures and no travel advisories in extreme northwest Minnesota. Motorists should continue to use caution.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported a number motorists were stranded for hours along a stretch of I-94 east of Moorhead.

Gov. Tim Walz has authorized the Minnesota National Guard to provide emergency relief services for motorists in Clay County because of the winter storm.

Walz declared a peacetime emergency last (Tue) night, after heavy snow and strong winds caused blizzard conditions.

Numerous schools started classes late – including Grand Forks. East Grand Forks switched to E-Learning.

Conditions will continue to improve this afternoon and temps should warm back into the 20’s over the weekend.

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Earlier posts:

The following roads have reopened:

I 29 Grand Forks to Canadian Border (MP: 141.000 to 217.517)

I-29 SD border Fargo

I 94I 29N – US Customs and Canadian International Border (MP: 217.500 to 217.500)I 29S – Grand Forks to Canadian Border (MP: 141.000 to 217.517)US 2E – Rugby to Lakota (MP: 212.000 to 295.000)US 2W – Rugby to Lakota (MP: 212.000 to 295.000)ND 19E – Jct 3 to Minnewaukan (MP: 100.000 to 133.614)ND 30 – W Jct 15 to Jct Hwy 2 (MP: 105.773 to 153.084)

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The Minnesota Department of Transportation has lifted the road closures and no travel advisories in northwest Minnesota. Motorists should continue to use caution and drive to the conditions

Schools:

EGF Schools E-Learning Day………..

Crookston schools closed…..

Climax Shelly School….E-Learning Day…

Grand Forks Schools and GFAFB School 2 hours late….

Hillsboro School and buses…..2 hours….

Larimore Schools 2 hours late

Manvel School and buses….2 hours….

St. Michaels Catholic School…..2 hours late….

Thompson schools 2 hours late….

Mayville State University opens at 10:00 a.m…..

U of M Crookston opens at 10:00 a.m….