Storm dissolves Easter weekend into power outages and cancels holiday plans
Storm dissolves Easter weekend into power outages and cancels holiday plans
By ALLAN TINKER
The weather forecasters got an “A” for accuracy on the Easter weekend this year in North Dakota. The forecast said rain turning to snow, and it did. The 40-50 mile per hour winds didn’t help the situation. With the good warning, most farmers and ranchers were able to secure livestock and prepare to shelter livestock that were in the midst of calving.
Area residents who planned to entertain guests, as well as those who planned to travel, quickly changed their plans as electric power failed and travel became difficult with heavy wet snow and downed power lines. The spring storm was a reminder that even with warmer weather, the end of winter can still pack a devastating blow in April.
On pavement, the snow melted more quickly than gravel roads, which became difficult to travel over. The snow and gravel bound together to stick to the underside of vehicles and sprayed up onto windows, making it difficult to keep the field of vision clear for safe travel. Speeds became reduced for any travel on any surface.
The travel became difficult early into the winter storm that hit the state on Good Friday, April 2. In a matter of hours, electric power failed as wet, heavy snow stuck to poles, lines, and electric equipment, breaking and otherwise disturbing service to many sections of Central North Dakota, as well as other ND areas.
Snow totals were estimated on Friday as averaging five to eight inches, with some isolated areas at nine. In the center of the state, which included Sheridan and McLean Counties, four to five inches were reported on Friday afternoon, with more expected into the evening hours.
