Winter storm hitting NW Minnesota

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — A combination of heavy snowfall and very strong winds is expected to create blizzard conditions in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

The National Weather Service expects the snow to

continue into Monday evening. The snowfall will become especially heavy late Monday morning and into the afternoon hours, with 1 to 2 inches per hour possible.

The heaviest snow is expected across eastern North Dakota, through the northern and central Red River Valley, and into northwest Minnesota. Meteorologist Tom Grafenauer says most areas can expect 10-20 inches of snow.

Thirty to 40 mile per hour winds with gusts to over 50 miles per hour combined with heavy snowfall will reduce visibilities to less than a quarter mile.

Grafenauer says the storm could be life-threatening to drivers who get stranded.