The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol have issued a No Travel Advisory for portions of western North Dakota due to high winds, blowing snow, and snow sticking to the roadways creating reduced visibility and slippery road conditions. Cities included in the No Travel Advisory are: Williston, Watford City, New Town, Killdeer, Dickinson, New England, Bowman, Hettinger and surrounding areas. Motorists in these areas should not travel as blowing snow and slippery roads are creating hazardous driving conditions.
A Travel Alert remains in effect for northwestern and central North Dakota due to blowing snow creating reduced visibility and areas of compacted snow or ice on the roadways. Cities included in the Travel Alert are Tioga, Bowbells, Minot, Bismarck, and surrounding areas.
NDDOT releases information to inform the public about travel conditions throughout the state. The three categories are as follows:
1. TRAVEL ALERT – Motorists can still travel but may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions on roadways. Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destination and be alert to conditions that may make travel difficult, change rapidly, or cause travel delays. A TRAVEL ALERT has the potential to change to a NO TRAVEL ADVISED if conditions deteriorate.
2. NO TRAVEL ADVISED – Motorists should not travel due to hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe to travel. Snowplows may be pulled from the roads during severe conditions. Motorists should take NO TRAVEL ADVISED seriously as those motorists who choose to travel at their own risk may become stranded and emergency responders may not be able to reach them safely. A NO TRAVEL ADVISED has the potential to change to a ROAD CLOSED OR BLOCKED if conditions deteriorate.3. ROAD CLOSED OR BLOCKED – Motorists are not allowed to travel on a closed road due to life threatening conditions. The road may be impassible or blocked. Motorists who drive past a road closure device may be fined up to $250.
Please be advised that road condition information on 511 and the travel map is updated daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. CDT. The road report is based upon the information available to the NDDOT at the time of preparation and is provided solely as a public service. Conditions may vary from those reported.
