Early dismissal as blizzard hits Grand Forks AFB

Published March 18, 2013
By Tim Flack
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- School classes were canceled and the Air Force authorized early dismissal of its personnel Monday morning as a mid-March blizzard hit the area.

Col. Tim Bush, 319th Air Base Wing commander, authorized early dismissal beginning at 9 a.m. Monday. Storm essential personnel, however, remained on duty.

The National Weather Service Fargo/Grand Forks released a blizzard warning early Monday, predicting an additional snowfall of 1-3 inches throughout the day, for a total accumulation of 4-8 inches.

The Weather Service warned that winds could gust to 45 mph, leaving visibility at a quarter of a mile or less. Whiteout conditions were expected in open country areas.

Many roads have the potential to become impassable throughout the day, according to the warning.

The warning was to remain in effect until 7 p.m.