Saturday shutdown: I-94 closes from Dickinson to Mandan due to white out

• White out

Drivers slowly make their way through a white out on Interstate 94 East due to blowing and drifting snow Saturday afternoon. Winds carried snow causing near zero visibility, forcing vehicles slow to about 40 miles per hour in some spots.

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BISMARCK — Blowing snow causing reduced visibility prompted the North Dakota Department of Transportation to close Interstate 94 between Dickinson and Mandan early Saturday afternoon.

The department also issued a no travel advisory for the northwest part of the state including areas around Minot, Dickinson, Bismarck, Mandan, Williston, Crosby, Bowbells, Watford City, New Town and Stanley. The advisory was later downgraded to a travel alert when I-94 reopened shortly after 6 p.m.

A travel alert also remained in effect for Devils Lake and surrounding areas. The alert means motorists can still travel, but may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions and should use caution.

The department urged drivers to call 511 or check the department’s website at www.dot.nd.gov for the latest road conditions.

Tags: white out, news, weather, interstate, shutdown