Major winter storm possible for Red River region Tuesday and Wednesday

The National Weather Service says a storm system moving out of the Rockies and into the Plains this week could have major impacts for the Red River region, beginning Tuesday. But it's a scenario hinging on lots of uncertainty around the type of precipitation that will come into play.

According to the weather service, that precipitation will move into southeastern North Dakota by early Tuesday morning, increase in its coverage and become more intense by Tuesday afternoon.

"Warm temperatures just above the surface could allow the precipitation to start off as rain or even freezing rain if temperatures on the ground are cold enough," the weather service said in a statement.

"Snow will begin to mix in during the day on Tuesday ... starting in the Devils Lake basin Tuesday morning and spreading southeastward," the statement continued. "It is possible that some locations could see rain ... freezing rain ... and snow at different times of the day Tuesday."

That precipitation should change over to all snow by Tuesday night, but snow amounts, including the locations of the heaviest bands of snow, "continues to be uncertain at this point," the weather service said in its statement, issued this morning at 4:05 a.m.

Winter storm watch for western, central N.D.

There is a winter storm watch issued that begins late Monday and continues through Wednesday night for central and western North Dakota, including Jamestown, Rolla, Rugby, Bottineau, Harvey and Carrington. Freezing rain is expected, or highly possible, at the start of this storm, and snow accumulations might be heavy, the weather service said. Winds, too, could be a big factor, gusting to 35 mph at times and making travel significantly more difficult, if not dangerous.