Blizzard warnings in effect for parts of North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota, U.S.
Blizzard Warnings are in effect across parts of Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota through Thursday, December 18, 2025, due to a fast-moving winter storm producing widespread blizzard conditions and destructive winds across the region.
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A quick-moving upper-level trough and an associated deep surface low are driving a large-scale winter storm from the interior Pacific Northwest through the northern and central Rockies and into the northern Plains through Thursday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that the combination of high winds and blowing snow is producing dangerous and, at times, life-threatening blizzard conditions over broad areas of Montana, North Dakota, and northern Minnesota.
Blizzard warnings are in effect across multiple states in the northern tier of the United States, including Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
In North Dakota, the NWS office in Bismarck reported sustained blizzard conditions across Bottineau, Rolette, McHenry, Pierce, Sheridan, Wells, Foster, and Stutsman counties, with winds gusting as high as 115 km/h (70 mph). Snow accumulations of 2–8 cm (1–3 inches) are forecast across the region, with whiteout conditions and tree and power line damage likely. The warning remains in effect until 18:00 CST on Thursday, December 18.
Farther west, another Blizzard Warning covers Divide, Burke, Renville, Williams, Mountrail, Ward, McKenzie, and McLean counties, with total snow accumulations of 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) and gusts up to 95 km/h (60 mph). These conditions will severely impact Thursday morning travel, particularly along U.S. Highways 2 and 83 and the I-94 corridor. The warning is set to expire at 12:00 CST (11:00 MST) on Thursday.
In northeastern Montana, the NWS office in Glasgow has issued Blizzard Warnings for Central and Southern Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Western Roosevelt, McCone, Richland, Dawson, Northern Phillips, and Northern Valley counties. Winds are gusting between 110–120 km/h (70–75 mph), with additional snowfall up to 5 cm (2 inches) being forecast.
Whiteout conditions are widespread, especially around Glasgow, Wolf Point, and Sidney. Roads, bridges, and overpasses have become slick and hazardous, with travel strongly discouraged. The warning remains active until 06:00 MST Thursday.
An additional warning remains in effect for Central and Southeast Phillips County, including the city of Malta, with gusts up to 110 km/h (70 mph) and near-zero visibility.
In eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, the NWS office in Grand Forks has issued Blizzard warnings for the Pembina, Nelson, Grand Forks, Steele, Traill, Barnes, and Cass counties in North Dakota. Adjacent counties in Minnesota such as Polk, Clay, Norman, and Marshall were also included in the warning area.
Winds are expected to reach 110 km/h (70 mph), with 2–10 cm (1–4 inches) of snow and light ice accumulation. The warnings extend from 03:00 CST to 18:00 CST on Thursday. Officials warn that both morning and evening commutes will be dangerous or impossible due to whiteout conditions.
In north-central North Dakota, a separate warning covers Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, and Towner counties, where winds up to 110 km/h (70 mph) and visibility below 400 m (0.25 miles) are expected through 18:00 CST Thursday.
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I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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