Highway 85 in Williams County, North Dakota was shrouded in dust on Thursday. The blizzard-like conditions caused vehicle accidents prompting calls to North Dakota Highway Patrol, who reported “low to no visibility” on the scene.
WILLISTON, N.D. — A major dust storm created blizzard-like conditions in western North Dakota Thursday afternoon, reducing visibility to near-zero and causing several crashes on local highways.
Video from the North Dakota Highway Patrol showed a wall of dust that made it nearly impossible to see.
Troopers responded to a crash involving tanker trailers on Highway 85 in Williams County around 1:30 p.m. local time. Police said the driver was saved by their seatbelt.
A pickup towing a trailer rolled over on Highway 83 south of Minot during the dust storm. Similar conditions were seen on Highway 28, north of Berthold and on Highway 40, south of Tioga.
A High Wind Warning and a Blowing Dust Advisory were in place for Williams County, North Dakota on Thursday when a powerful dust storm swept through the area. The blizzard-like conditions greatly reduced visibility on Highway 85 ahead of the advisory being upgraded to a Blowing Dust Warning.
A High Wind Warning for gusts between 40 and 70 mph was in effect and a Blowing Dust Advisory was upgraded to a Blowing Dust Warning just after 2 p.m.
LIGHTNING SPARKS MASSIVE GRASSFIRE AND BURNS THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN TEXAS
An area of low pressure in Canada pumped strong wind gusts across the Northern Plains Thursday and also fueled a Fire Weather Warning.
A Blowing Dust Advisory remains in effect for North Dakota Friday and police are asking drivers with high-profile vehicles to avoid peak winds.
