GRAND FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A Winter Storm Warning is in effect now through Friday, December 28 for a large area of the Dakotas and Minnesota.

Grand Forks National Weather Service forecaster Bill Barrett said the storm will gain intensity late Wednesday into Thursday, December 27.

He said gusty wind will make travel conditions very difficult on Thursday, December 27 in the open country with blowing and drifting snow.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect from noon Thursday, December 27 thru 6am Friday, December 28 for Foster, Kidder, Stutsman, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh and Dickey counties.