January 29, 2019

6:00 p.m. 

No Travel Advisory LIFTED for northeast; Travel Alert remains in effect for portions of eastern ND

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) along with the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have LIFTED the No Travel Advisory for northeast North Dakota including Grand Forks and surrounding areas. A Travel Alert is in effect for the northeast portion of the state including Grand Forks and surrounding areas due to reduced visibility. In addition, a Travel Alert remains in effect for Valley City, Jamestown, Ellendale and Ashley due to blowing snow creating areas of reduced visibility. A Travel Alert means conditions are such that motorists can still travel in these areas, but should be advised of changing conditions.

The National Weather Service has a Wind Chill Warning out for most of the state until noon (CST) on Thursday. A Wind Chill Warning means the combination of very cold air and the wind will create dangerously low wind chill values. Frostbite can occur quickly and even hypothermia or death if precautions are not taken.  

If traveling here are some tips to keep you safe:

·         Carry a fully charged cell phone.

·         Let someone know when you depart, your route, and expected arrival time.

·         Dress according to weather conditions. Keep dry and wear clothing in layers.

·         Do not leave without a full fuel tank.

·         Pack a winter survival kit with items such as blankets, candle, water, flashlight and food.

·         If you were to become stranded; stay with your vehicle, run the engine if extremely cold, and keep exhaust pipe clear of snow.

The NDDOT and NDHP warn the public to be aware that, with these very cold temperatures, black ice may be encountered on roadways, especially in high traffic areas. Bridge decks in the metro areas can become extremely icy during these cold temperatures. Much of the black ice is created by the moisture tracked onto roadways by vehicles and from vehicles’ exhaust systems. Black ice forms when temperatures drop rapidly and any moisture on the road freezes into a smooth, nearly invisible, slippery surface. This thin layer of ice is very hard for motorists to detect, so drivers need to be especially vigilant in looking for changes in a road’s surface that may affect traction. 

All travelers are encouraged to monitor road conditions as weather conditions occur and use caution while traveling. For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the website: www.dot.nd.gov . The NDDOT works hard to keep travelers informed of road conditions. However, the road conditions are not reported 24 hours a day but updated every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, including holidays. It’s important to remember that the conditions may vary from what is being reported.