GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A fierce arctic weather system, dubbed Blizzard Alice by local forecasters, slammed into northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota early Thursday morning, December 18, 2025. The storm delivered a “one-two punch” of blinding snow and dangerous wind gusts reaching nearly 70 mph, paralyzing travel and causing significant infrastructure disruptions across the Red River Valley.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storm officially crossed into Grand Forks at 5:15 a.m., immediately reducing visibility to zero in open country. While snowfall totals were estimated at a modest 2 inches, meteorologists struggled to provide a definitive measurement as the intense winds repeatedly scoured snowboards clean.
Zero Visibility and “Life-Threatening” Travel
The primary hazard of Blizzard Alice was not the volume of snow, but the whiteout conditions created by sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph. At the height of the storm, wind gusts were measured at a staggering 67 mph.
“Visibility was nonexistent at times,” noted NWS meteorologist Austin Perroux. “From our office, we couldn’t even see the interstate just 800 yards away.”
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the Highway Patrol took the drastic step of closing Interstate 29 from the South Dakota border all the way to the Canadian line. A “No Travel Advisory” was issued for a wide swath of the state, with officials describing conditions as “life-threatening” for anyone stranded on the road. In Grand Forks, several motorists were seen stuck in the middle of city streets as the blowing snow packed into deep, impenetrable drifts.
Power Outages Hit Altru Hospital and Local Residents
As the winds howled, electrical infrastructure began to fail. Xcel Energy reported multiple power outages throughout Grand Forks, including a critical interruption at the Altru Hospital Columbia Road campus.
Fortunately, hospital officials had prepared for the arctic blast. “Altru had staff and generators ready to mitigate any patient impact,” said Chris Arnold, Altru Director of Plant and Facilities. Power was successfully restored to the hospital by 8:00 a.m., but hundreds of residents remained in the dark as utility crews battled the elements to repair downed lines.
Winter Power Outage Safety Tips:
- Keep a Backup: Ensure battery-powered flashlights and hand-crank radios are accessible.
- Generator Safety: Never run a generator indoors or in an attached garage due to carbon monoxide risks.
- Insulate: Keep doors and windows closed, and use towels to block drafts under doors to retain heat.
Closures and the “Blizzard Alice” Legacy
The storm brought daily life to a standstill. Classes were canceled for Grand Forks Public Schools and the University of North Dakota (UND), while East Grand Forks transitioned to an e-learning day.
The name “Alice” was chosen by the Grand Forks Herald to honor Alice Hoffert, a dedicated local volunteer known for her work with Meals on Wheels and the Grand Forks Senior Center. The Herald has maintained the tradition of naming significant winter storms alphabetically since 1990 to preserve the region’s meteorological history.