Ben Pifher/MDN Lewis Peterson clears snow from sidewalks around the Ward County Jail and other county buildings on Thursday.

During weather events, the National Weather Service (NWS), its network of trained weather observers and others work together to build a picture of the effects.

In order to measure snow, Matt Johnson of the National Weather Service in Bismarck recommends finding an open area, away from obstructions that may interrupt the wind and cause drifting. In that clearing, he recommends taking several measurements, then averaging them. Averages like this, taken from trained spotters, is how the National Weather Service gets weather information from remote areas and areas they can’t observe themselves.

To get a measurement of how much snow has accumulated over a window of time, Johnson said spotters use what he called a “snow board,” a lightly colored board or other sturdy flat surface.

Spotters place these boards on the ground or snow and mark their location, then if possible, as soon as snow stops falling, they measure the amount of snow on top of the board and record it. Once recorded, they can clean the board off by picking it up, wiping it off, then resetting it. The National Weather Service recommends taking no more than four measurements per day.

Vehicle accidents

One accident was reported in Ward County as of noon on Thursday, and five stalled vehicles, according to the Ward County Sheriff’s Department.

The citizen connect map published by the City of Minot showed six accidents since the storm began, as of 6:17 p.m. on Thursday.

Snow totals

Rugby: 4 inches estimated

Max: 6 inches – National Weather Service

Minot Air Force Base: 5 inches – National Weather Service

Minot: 5.2 inches, .45 of inch of moisture – North Central Research Extension Center; 4 inches (2 miles north of Minot – trained spotter)

Garrison Dam: 4 inches estimated

Des Lacs Refuge: 4.5 inches

Bottineau: 3 inches estimated

Kenmare: 6 inches estimated

New Town: 4 inches estimated

– Sources include trained NWS spotters and untrained observers.

Snowplow safety tip

The North Dakota Highway Patrol reminds drivers that during poor weather events, they must yield to snowplows. The N.D. Department of Transportation snowplows work to ensure roads are clear and safe for travel, and need space to avoid possible accidents. If it’s not possible to safely pass a snowplow, the Highway Patrol said the best course of action is to follow at a safe distance behind the plow.