Published: November 30,2016
The snowstorm clobbered North and South Dakota with more than a foot of snow, providing the first wintry scene of the year for some towns. As a result, schools were canceled and drivers were urged to be extremely careful on snow-covered roads.
(MORE: Check the Forecast for Winter Storm Blanche)
Here's what we know about the storm's impacts so far.
North Dakota
Top snowfall total: 24 inches, near Van Hook ParkSome schools were canceled again Wednesday in North Dakota as Blanche kept the state in its snowy grip.
Interstate 94 was closed Tuesday evening between Mandan and Dickinson, according to the North Dakota DOT. No travel was advised on most roads in central North Dakota because the compacted snow was making roads slick, but by Wednesday, the road was reopened.
With more than a foot of snow on the ground in parts of the state on Monday, Gov. Jack Dalrymple issued an emergency evacuation order of the Dakota Access Pipeline protest camps on lands managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to the governor's office. Citing the winter storm and the expectation of continued cold temperatures as reasons for the order, Dalrymple's declaration forbids protesters from returning to the camp indefinitely.
(MORE: Yes, There's a 'Blizzard Alley,' and It's in This Region)
In an interview with the West Fargo Pioneer, governor spokesman Jeff Zent said the state does not plan to remove people from the site.
"We’re not going to go in and make arrests and forcibly remove everybody that’s on that site," Zent told the Pioneer. "We fully expect the federal government to take the lead on the management of their property."
A travel alert was issued for the central part of the state Monday as Blanche began dumping an expected foot or more of snow on cities like Minot and Bismarck. The North Dakota Department of Transportation asked motorists to be careful on roadways that were likely to become slick and dangerous, and some schools started late Monday, according to the AP.
Bismarck's 8.7 inches of snow Monday broke a 111-year-old daily record, the AP also reported. This led to dozens of crashes in and around the city, the report added.
South Dakota
Top snowfall total: 36 inches, near Cheyenne CrossingWhiteout conditions made traveling along Interstate 90 so dangerous Tuesday afternoon that officials closed a stretch of the freeway between Spearfish and Rapid City in western South Dakota, according to the state's Department of Transportation. The news came after parts of the state had already received more than two feet of snow from Blanche.
I-90 was reopened Wednesday but was in poor condition in some areas.
Many other roads remained slippery due to snow and ice in western and central South Dakota through Tuesday evening. In some areas, plows were removed from roads until conditions improved, KDLT.com reported.
Black Hills State University in Spearfish closed early Tuesday, according to KOTA-TV.
California
Top snowfall total: 24 inches, multiple locationsHeavy snow fell Sunday afternoon through early Monday morning in California's higher elevations, making travel more hazardous as the winter storm was bearing down on the Sierra Nevada. Blanche may also be responsible for stranding a husband and wife who have since been located.
Light snow falls in Frazier Park, California, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.(AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Yuba City couple Rory and Susan Holloter went for a drive Saturday morning in El Dorado County, but more than 24 hours later, they texted family members to say they were stuck in the snow, the county's sheriff's office told KCRA.com. The family received multiple texts from Susan, but they were concerned about the couple's whereabouts, especially Rory, the report added.
"We don't know what's happened to him either because he left the vehicle and he hiked away from the vehicle," Susan's sister, Sondra Winberry, told KCRA. "We don't know if he's able to get back."
After suspending the search Sunday night, officials went back out Monday morning to look for the couple, the report also said. On Monday afternoon, they were both found in good condition, according to the Sacramento Bee. They had a sleeping bag, food and water, Susan told family members and reporters following the rescue.
The news out of Sequoia National Park was much worse. The body of 41-year-old Vince Scalise of Phoenix was found Monday near Panther Creek and the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, according to the AP. He was supposed to return from a backpacking trip on Wednesday, but the National Park Service was notified Saturday night that Scalise still hadn't been seen, the AP also reported.
The cause of death has not yet been determined, but Scalise was found in an area that received rain and snow, and temperatures fell below freezing, the report added.
Colorado
Top snowfall total: 28 inches, near Wolf Creek PassMore than a foot of snow fell from Blanche in Colorado's mountains, quickly escalating the risk of avalanches in some areas.
The state's Department of Transportation closed Loveland Pass Sunday evening, citing the possibility of avalanches, according to the Denver Post. Later Sunday night, I-70's eastbound lanes were closed in Glenwood Canyon because of crashes, the report added.
(MORE: Weather-Related Car Accidents Are Deadlier Than Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Floods)
"Everybody gets in a hurry to get home," State Trooper Tim Sutherland told the Denver Post. "Drivers get up on the car in front of them. If that car in front breaks or loses control on ice? If you’re back, you see what that car’s going to do. It’ll give you time to react."
Denver was expected to receive little to no snow from Blanche.
Utah
Top snowfall total: 41 inches, AltaSnow fell on northern Utah for much of Monday, and parts of Salt Lake County received up to 2 inches by the morning rush hour, the AP reported. In Ogden, up to 4 inches of snowfall was reported Monday morning, the report added.
In central Utah, Interstate 15 was closed Sunday near Scipio due to heavy snow, according to the Deseret News. The Utah Highway Patrol said traffic was stalled for hours on some snow-covered roads Sunday, the report added.
Although no roads were closed Monday, the state Department of Transportation advised or required all drivers to have snow tires, chains or four-wheel drive in some areas, such as canyons or passes.
Idaho
Top snowfall total: 13.5 inches, near PocatelloMultiple crashes were reported on the Gem State's roadways as heavy snow made travel dangerous over the weekend, according to East Idaho News. Hazardous travel was expected to remain a problem Monday and Tuesday, the report added.
"Winter driving conditions are in effect for Eastern Idaho. Idaho State Police encourage motorists to use caution and increase travel time to reach their destinations," Idaho State Police said in an advisory released Monday morning.
4 pm PST Snow down to 3000 feet in #ClearwaterCounty Idaho. Watch for slick spots this evening along #Hwy11 #idwx
Wyoming
Top snowfall total: 62 inches, near Elk MountainAlthough many roads remained snowy across the state on Monday, no major highway closures were reported. Several roads in areas that typically receive the most snowfall have already been closed for the winter, according to KOWB.
Blizzard conditions were reported Sunday morning and afternoon in Arlington, according to the National Weather Service.
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