Published: December 7,2016
The North Dakota Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol extended the 230-mile closure of Interstate 94 further east to Fargo, according to the Associated Press. Both lanes of I-94 were closed from Dickinson to Fargo; northbound and southbound Interstate 29 was also closed between Fargo and the Canadian border due to zero visibility and blowing and drifting snow.
(FORECAST: First Arctic Blast of the Season Arriving)
In addition, an approximately 60-mile stretch of Highway 2 from Lakota to the Grand Folks Airport was shut down due to strong winds and zero visibility.
As of Wednesday afternoon, however, most roadways had reopened.
Strong winds will persist Wednesday in parts of the Dakotas and northwest Minnesota, contributing to areas of blowing snow, says weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. Those winds will also create dangerously cold wind chills, which are in the teens and 20s below zero Wednesday morning.
The brutal cold will continue as sub-zero low temperatures are forecast in portions of the Dakotas Thursday and Friday mornings.
A blizzard in North Dakota is bringing a major arctic chill. @OmarVillafranca has more, now
Some protestors fighting the Dakota Access pipeline have taken refuge in a nearby casino and area shelters overnight. However, many remained at a camp in southern North Dakota.
(MORE: See Your Weather in Motion)
Officials at Minot International Airport had to shut the terminal down, stranding a few travelers who had to spend the night, KFYRTV.com reports.
Schools, businesses and government offices were also shut down.
Bismarck, Minot and Lincoln all declared snow emergencies Tuesday, MyNDNow.com reports.
Authorities in South Dakota have advised no traveling on Highway 212 between Clark and Henry due to blowing snow and icy roads, according to the National Weather Service, and no travel is advised in Edmunds County and Walworth County.
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