Will Williston Be Impacted By Winter Storm Next Week?

Someone has been dreaming of a white Christmas. Mother Nature has her sights on North Dakota as she is preparing a Colorado Low that will work its way into the state early next week.

All indications point to this possibly being the biggest storm of the season so far. Several weather models show the possibility of 30 inches of snow could fall in central and eastern North Dakota. To make this storm more interesting, throw in the wind that is expected, and things will get even more exciting with blizzard conditions expected for most of the state.

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has released this map showing the area expected to be affected the most. Preliminary snow totals for western North Dakota show somewhere between 4 to 6 inches of snow expected. All the weather experts are still getting their hands around the potential impact of this storm, but every indication points to another heavy, wet snow scheme loaded with moisture, unlike the fluffy, light snows over the past week. As we get closer to next week's system, it's becoming more apparent this will be a high-impact Colorado Low.

Let's start getting prepared now!

Winter Travel Essentials

• Cell phone charger
• First Aid kit
• jumper cables
• water & snacks
• full fuel tank
• bag of sand or cat litter
• shovel & snow brush
• tow rope
• blanket
• flashlight

You should be prepared at home for a few days as well. In the anticipation of a weather emergency, you’ll want to stock up on items that don’t require refrigeration.

Non-Perishable Pantry Essentials

• Drinking Water, about a 3-day supply
• Trail Mix or Mixed Nuts
• Cans of Soup
• Peanut Butter, or your favorite nut or seed butter
• Bread, Bagels, or English Muffins
• Canned Beans, such as garbanzo and black beans
• Dried Pasta
• Favorite Snacks, such as chips, pretzels, and popcorn
• Canned Tuna or Salmon
• Hot Cocoa Mix
• Pet Food, Litter, and Treats
• Baby Food and Formula

Refrigerated Snow Day Staples

• Fresh Vegetables, such as lettuce, bell peppers, and carrots
• Deli Meats and Cheeses
• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Milk
• Butter

First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Supplies

• Band-Aids
• Ibuprofen
• Contact Solution & Lenses
• Medications (prescriptions, if needed, or over-the-counter)
• Personal Hygiene Products
• Batteries
• Non-electric can opener

We have a few days to get prepared. The best advice I have heard so far is get to the grocery store, the liquor store, and make sure your snowblower is gassed up.