GREAT WHITE!  Just when you thought it was safe to go outdoors…well, it still is…but, come Sunday a familiar shade will return to the landscape as heavy snow is expected from a massive low pressure system out west and a deep jet stream pumping southern moisture up into the plains .   We talk about what to expect with winter’s return and more in today’s Three Things.

(Featured Photo: Bob Mantz of Mandan pauses with a huge white crappie caught and released from shore on Nelson Lake. Simonson Photo)

DAILY CONDITIONS: WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Fri 3/2 –  Southeasterlies. Hi 39, Lo 18, Winds SE@15, G25.
Tomorrow:  Sat 3/3 – Pre-front perfection. Hi 40, Lo 25, Winds L&V.

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):
Sunrise: 7:18AM Sunset: 6:31PM
Moonrise: 7:32PM Moonset 7:56AM
Overhead: 1:13AMUnderfoot: 1:39PM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (99% Full)

EDGE HOUR: 6:45-7:45PM.  Take sunset into moonrise for a great evening bite in today’s Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

THREE THINGS.

BY ANY OTHER NAME.  Crappies have perhaps the greatest number of local nicknames around the U.S.  In nearly every region they have a different alias: speck (southeast), calico bass (east), sac-a-lait (Cajun Louisiana), papermouth (south), slab (north) and more.  While the black crappie is the more common variety in North Dakota, select waters like the Missouri River system, Jamestown Reservoir and Nelson Lake are home to white crappies as well, with the latter having dark vertical bars on a lighter, less mottled body setting it apart.

MODEL ALIGNMENT.  You remember snow, right?  While models bounced around some the last couple of days, more and more they appear to be coming into alignment, moving the snow line of the Sunday-into-Tuesday weather event further west, right along the heart of North Dakota.  While we’re still 72 hours out, Monday’s looking a lot like Ol’ Man Winter’s return with the worst of the predicted 5-day totals for Bismarck now sitting at 12 to 16 inches. (I’m not buying the 20 in the bright red just yet)

STILL…THINK SPRING.  The NDG&F will keep your mind off the white stuff with a cast of colorful characters in this week’s webcast.  Elisha Mueller talks pollinators in this week’s Outdoors Online webcast – and it’s not always the butterflies and bees that get the job done – birds, bats and even small mammals can help with the pollination process, showing how important each species is to agriculture in the U.S.

Stay Sharp!