The North Dakota Department of Health is urging health-care facilities to take steps now to prepare for severe winter weather this weekend. Those steps should include testing electrical generators and other emergency equipment. Facilities also should assure availability of adequate resources such as staff, fuel and essential supplies.

The National Weather Service predicts a winter storm with significant accumulations of snow for the upcoming weekend. The storm is expected to track along the South Dakota/Nebraska border into northern Iowa, which means the southern portion of our state will likely receive the heaviest snow. Precipitation will likely be a mix of rain and freezing rain before turning into snow. This storm is expected to move into the area Friday night with heavy snow continuing through Sunday, then tapering off Sunday night into Monday. Wind speeds will likely be 20 mph to 30 mph with gusts of 35 mph to 40 mph by Sunday resulting in possible blizzard and blizzard-like conditions.

Snow fall estimates are as follows:

• South Central North Dakota: An estimated 17 to 18 inches of snow is possible from Lemmon up through Bismarck into Wells County, with anticipated snow fall tapering off to 15 to 18 inches between Bismarck and Oakes.

• Eastern North Dakota: The Red River Valley could see up to 12 inches of snow and possibly up to 24 inches in the southern portion of the valley.

• Northern North Dakota: Counties along the Canadian border may see 5 to 6 inches to Crosby and then 12 inches in Pembina.

Ice may be problematic in south central and eastern North Dakota.

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