If you were hoping to beat the winter storm and head south of the border for the weekend you may be already too late.
A Colorado low which is expected to impact southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario beginning Thursday afternoon is already making its presence known in North Dakota. Winter storm warnings are in effect for parts of the State, including Fargo are expecting freezing rain, snow, and high winds.
Freezing rain began overnight and has caused treacherous conditions on the busy north-south corridor of I-29, prompting officials to put up barricades on the Interstate.
"The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have CLOSED I-29 northbound and southbound lanes from Fargo to Grand Forks due to freezing rain and snow causing very icy roads," the department says in a notice sent out Thursday morning.
The Highway Patrol says that in North Dakota motorists are not allowed to travel on a closed road due to life-threatening conditions. Motorists who drive past a road closure device may be fined up to $250.
The worst of the storm for the region is still on the way, with meteorologists saying heavier snow and winds will arrive and last through Thursday afternoon and into early Friday morning.
NDHP says that travel throughout the southern portion of the state is poor and urges motorists to drive with caution.