Wintry October storm dumps over 2 feet of snow across Northern Plains

A powerful early season snowstorm closed roads, as it continued to pummel the Northern Plains with blizzard conditions Saturday. Parts of the plains were hit by more than 2 feet of snow, and 3-10 inches were set to fall overnight, ABC News reports.

What they're saying: The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center said, "Estimated observed snowfall over the past 72 hours depicts a rather large swath of 18-30 inches across portions of north central and northeast North Dakota." Forecasters warn some areas were set for the season's coldest night, with temperatures as low as 26 degrees expected overnight.

I can confirm, the blizzard is bad in Kulm, North Dakota.

No idea how much snow. Too much.

But all the #corn and 99% of #soybeans are in the field. pic.twitter.com/UBX4ZJgft3

— Jordan Gackle (@kulmweatherman) October 11, 2019

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The big picture: By Saturday afternoon, up to 30 inches of snow had fallen in Harvey, while 28 inches was dumped on Devils Lake in North Dakota; Lead and Rapid City were the worst hit in South Dakota, with 14.5 and 14.3 inches falling, respectively.

• Potentially life-threatening blowing snow was expected to make roads in the region impassable, especially in central and northern North Dakota, per the weather service.
• Wind gusts would reach 60 mph, per the ABC.
• Overnight temperatures were set to plunge to 26 degrees in Bassett and Bartlett, the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls said.
• Blizzard and winter storm warnings were beginning to expire across central North Dakota Saturday evening, but winter weather advisories were in effect across northeast South Dakota.
• Roads were closed in the region Friday through Saturday, including Interstate 29, Highway 2 and Interstate 94, per the Grand Forks Herald, with secondary state highways in the Devils Lake area "deemed impassable and blocked because of heavy snow and whiteout conditions," the news outlet reports.

In photos: Snowstorm pummels the Northern Plains

#NDHP #NDDOT are working to get vehicles like this cleared off the road on I-94. These vehicles were between mm 223-233. @NDResponse pic.twitter.com/dQmIr0wC9H

— NDHP (@NDHighwayPatrol) October 12, 2019

Snow removal at The Jack for Monday Night Football! October football in North Dakota gotta love it. pic.twitter.com/2XhskDSQJO

— Hankinson Football (@HankFootball1) October 12, 2019

16.2 inches of #snow in Bismarck so far and counting. How’s your weekend going? pic.twitter.com/dKZUak8usE

— Tyler Kranz (@tkranz23) October 12, 2019

❄️ HELLO SNOW! Fresh snow seen this afternoon from Washburn, North Dakota. Photo via NDDOT. #Snow #NDwx pic.twitter.com/7g4Y3AH0D2

— Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) October 12, 2019

Still dumping snow in Fargo. Glad @NDSUfootball plays in a dome! pic.twitter.com/Drp2s2zaAY

— Matt Mahalik (@MahalikWx) October 12, 2019

Travel advisories for today, October 11:
Arizona: Snow? No, it's just cotton.
North Dakota: Snow? Yes, plus icicles. pic.twitter.com/lYPPYDqmrz

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 11, 2019

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the latest details on the weather conditions.