The first snow has fallen, and you know what that means. It’s officially the season when Minot AFB Facebook pages fill up with questions like:

“Has anyone driven off base yet?”

“How are the roads into town?”

“Should I even try to go out today?”

Fair questions, of course. Many who live on base aren’t used to North Dakota winters. Driving through snow, ice, or wind can be intimidating, especially if you’re new here.

I still remember one particular drive down Highway 83 a few years ago that I’ll never forget. It wasn’t snowing, and the pavement wasn’t icy. But the leftover snow on the side of the road was whipped up by powerful winds, turning everything into a swirling white blur. I couldn’t see the road, the ditches, or even the car in front of me. I gripped the wheel, crept forward, and just hoped I stayed on the road. What should’ve been a ten-minute drive turned into a thirty-minute nerve-wracking crawl.

After that, I became one of the people checking Facebook daily to see if anyone had made the drive before me. But, of course, not everyone posts road updates every day, so the same question gets asked again and again: “How’s Highway 83?”

We get it. But now, there’s a better way.

Introducing The 83 Drive.

This new Northern Sentry webpage gives you instant access to real-time Highway 83 road conditions and live camera feeds, all pulled directly from official North Dakota State sources (so you know it’s reliable). No more waiting on Facebook comments or guessing what the roads look like.

Just visit The 83 Drive on our website, bookmark it, and check it anytime you need to head into town. It’s your one-stop link for seeing the road yourself, before you get behind the wheel.

Stay safe, stay informed, and let The 83 Drive be your go-to for winter road updates all season long.