Today in Fargo-Moorhead: Winter travel caution this week

Is this the end (of fall)? It seems so.

A winter travel advisory will affect us Wednesday night into Friday. The National Weather Service says this season’s first snow accumulations are likely across parts of northwestern Minnesota and eastern Minnesota this week.

A rainy-snowy mix could come Wednesday; accumulating snow might develop into Wednesday night over the Devils Lake Basin.

Thursday afternoon could come with moderate-to-heavy snow. It’s unclear where exactly the biggest impacts will be, but the NWS says there’s a good chance for minor travel impacts later this week for us — highest in the basin and northern Red River Valley.

Far northeast North Dakota could even see 6 or more inches of flakes.

“Now is the time to start preparing for the transition back to winter. Make sure your vehicle has a winter survival kit. If you have travel plans this week, closely monitor forecast updates from the National Weather Service,” the NWS said in a Tuesday update.

In other weather news, it’ll steadily get colder this week. High of 53 Wednesday; subsequent days are 44, 25 and 31 by Saturday. All that comes with rain, snow and a breeze.

News-wise: An off-duty pilot has been accused of trying to shut down the engines of a Horizon Airlines jet midflight earlier this week. The Fargo Forum reports he may have ties with the University of North Dakota.

Let us know what else is happening, events or news tips. Contact MPR News producer Amy Felegy at [email protected]. Also, take our Fargo-Moorhead news survey.