Ice Storm Warning Issued in One State as Travel May Be 'Impossible'

Weather officials in North Dakota are warning residents to pack extra food and water in their vehicles as an ice storm has made it "nearly impossible" to travel.

On Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Forks, North Dakota, issued a "Winter Weather Message" for several cities announcing an ice storm warning.

"Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute," the message said. "Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for possible power outages."

The warning on Tuesday comes shortly after several states faced winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings over the past weekend, with heavy snowfall expected in areas across North Dakota, Kansas, Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington.

"The ongoing major winter storm will continue and intensify tonight. Blizzard conditions with heavy snow and gusty winds are expected, with damaging icing also likely in some areas. Travel will be dangerous to impossible at times," the National Weather Service Prediction Center said on X, formerly Twitter.

In North Dakota, the Grand Forks NWS posted several messages on social media warning residents of the ice storm.

"A locally damaging ice storm will continue across southeastern ND and northwest Minnesota. Additional ice accumulations of up to a quarter inch will occur over eastern ND, with locally higher amounts of up to a half inch," the Grand Forks NWS said in one post. The post also noted that travel "is or will become difficult to impossible."

In another post, the Grand Forks NWS said that as of 3:15 a.m. local time, the Interstate-29 "from Grand Forks and north is now closed with many area roads completely ice covered."

Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service press office for updated information.

X user @fargussmedia shared a video showing ice-covered roads in Fargo, North Dakota, and wrote, "HAPPENING NOW: Ice storm in Fargo, North Dakota."

Jonathan Yuhas of KSTP shared two photos of the roads in Minnesota and said, ".25" to .50" of Ice on Roads 170 miles southwest of Twin Cities on Highway 91 southwest of Marshall,MN. Areas along a line from Moorhead/Fargo to Worthington & west to eastern South Dakota/North Dakota including Sioux Falls, Brookings, Fargo & Grand Forks will be Very Icy."