Winter storm nixes in-person classes at Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo schools

FARGO — Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead public schools have canceled in-person classes Friday, Feb. 18, due to forecasted blizzard conditions.

Students at West Fargo and Moorhead schools will have a remote learning day.

Fargo Public Schools is not having a remote learning day and said in a message to parents and students: "Due to FPS having a longer than required school day at all academic levels, this school day will not need to be made up."

Activities in all three school districts have been canceled.

However, the North Dakota state wrestling tournament will continue as planned Friday. East region hockey games scheduled for Friday will now be played on Saturday at the same times.

In West Fargo, all district facilities are closed except for the Hulbert Aquatic Center and the West Fargo Sports Arena, which remain open only to outside rental clients.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley are closed Friday.

Due to high wind speeds, the Fargo landfill is closed and is expected to reopen Saturday.

Libraries and LINK sites in Fertile, Fosston, McIntosh and Rothsay will be closed Friday. The Hawley Public Library will delay opening until noon.

High winds moved into north-central North Dakota Friday morning and are forecast to move through eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota on Friday morning and afternoon, affecting the morning and evening commutes.

"Near blizzard to blizzard conditions are expected through today, especially in open country," according to a statement from the National Weather Service. "Highest winds will be located in the valley toward the west into central North Dakota."

Snow showers are possible Friday morning and afternoon in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

"Areas of snow showers behind the cold front result in white out conditions when combined with high winds," the weather service said.

Friday morning, the North Dakota Department of Transportation was advising no travel across the northeastern part of the state, including Cass County. For up-to-date travel information in North Dakota, visit travel.dot.nd.gov.

Weather conditions were also making travel difficult in northwestern Minnesota. For up-to-date travel information in Minnesota, visit 511mn.org.