Month: December 2021

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for northwest And west-central Minnesota and eastern North Dakota until midnight tonight. The warning includes the Minnesota cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada, Twin Valley, Halstad, Moorhead, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Warren, Stephen, and Argyle.  The North Dakota cities of Langdon, Cavalier, Walhalla, Drayton, Pembina, Neche, St. Thomas, Grafton, Park River, Grand Forks, Finley, Hope, Mayville, Hillsboro, Hatton, Portland, Fargo, Edinburg, Adams, and Lankin.

.BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT…

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west-central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota.

* WHEN…Until midnight CST tonight.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. The cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.

The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at dot.nd.gov/travel and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling 5 1 1 in either state.

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With the Holiday season beginning, the Crookston Fire Department is reminding the public of a few safety tips to ensure you stay safe this Holiday season.

Christmas Tree fires are uncommon; however, they are more likely to be serious when they do occur. Crookston Firefighter Brian Hanson provided a few tips to be safe this Holiday season. “When choosing a Christmas tree, we want you to choose a tree that has fresh green needles on the end of it,” said Hanson. “This will help with the tree initially with making sure the tree isn’t too dry, to begin with. When you place the tree in the stand, we ask you to cut two inches off it. This will keep the tree alive because the water will be able to get up from the tree’s base much easier. Another important thing to remember is to keep the tree at least 3-5 feet away from any heat source such as lights, fireplaces, candles, and heat vents.”

Other important things to keep in mind are making sure the tree isn’t blocking any exits so you can easily find a way out of your home in the event of an emergency. Watering your tree frequently is also critical to ensure the tree doesn’t die and pose a fire hazard. Hanson suggests checking the tree once in the morning and at night to see if more water should be added. One last reminder with Christmas tree safety is making sure you use lights that are meant to be hung on Christmas trees.

The second Holiday safety tip Hanson provided has to do with holiday decorating. “We’re going to ask people to choose decorations that are flame resistant, if possible,” said Hanson. If you’re going to use candles, we ask that they’re kept away from decorations and things that can burn. Knowing what lights can be used indoors and outdoors is also something to be aware of. There should be a tag on every set of lights that shows whether they can be used inside or outside.”

Other precautions that can be taken to avoid fires from inside your home this year include keeping matches away from children by keeping them locked or in high cabinets and keeping your pets away from any lit candles throughout the house.

For more information and facts on holiday safety, you can go to www.nfpa.org/education.

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The National Weather Service has issued an update (11:11 a.m.) to the Winter Storm Warning for portions of northwest and north-central Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. The warning includes the following Minnesota cities – Including the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada, Twin Valley, Halstad, Moorhead, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Warren, Stephen, and Argyle. It also includes the following North Dakota cities – Cando, Langdon, Cavalier, Walhalla, Drayton, Pembina, Neche, St. Thomas, Fort Totten, Maddock, Leeds, Minnewaukan, Devils Lake, Grafton, Park River, New Rockford, Lakota, Mcville, Aneta, Tolna, Grand Forks, Cooperstown, Finley, Hope, Mayville, Hillsboro, Hatton, Portland, Fargo, Edinburg, Adams, and Lankin.

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT…

* WHAT…Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches.  Total snowfall accumulations 6 to 12 inches. East winds turning to the north late afternoon and evening and increasing to 35 to 45 mph.

* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west-central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota.  

* WHEN…Until midnight CST tonight.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at dot.nd.gov/travel and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling 5 1 1 in either state.

The post NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UPDATES WINTER STORM WARNING appeared first on KROX.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for portions of northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota Including the Minnesota cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Warren, Stephen, and Argyle.  The North Dakota cities of Cando, Langdon, Cavalier, Walhalla, Drayton, Pembina, Neche, St. Thomas, Fort Totten, Maddock, Leeds, Minnewaukan, Devils Lake, Grafton, Park River, Lakota, Mcville, Aneta, Tolna, Grand Forks, Edinburg, Adams, and Lankin from 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 4 through midnight on Sunday, December 5,  

WHAT…Heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph Sunday afternoon and evening will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

WHERE…Portions of northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota.

WHEN…From 6 PM this evening to midnight CST Sunday night.

IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce the visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at dot.nd.gov/travel and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling 5 1 1 in either state. 

The post WINTER STORM ISSUED FOR NW MINNESOTA AND NE NORTH DAKOTA – UP TO 6 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED appeared first on KROX.