REGIONAL WRAPPING.  As you’re wrapping presents, we’re getting the news on what’s happening in the surrounding region and take a quick look ahead at your holiday week hunting and fishing forecast in North Dakota as part of today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  FROSTY.  Hoarfrost from thick morning fog covers trees and bushes along a fenceline on Friday morning. Simonson Photo.

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Sun 12/22 – Still Nice – Hi 40, Lo 22, Wind SW@6
Tomorrow:  Mon 12/23 – Cloudy – Hi 28, Lo 23, Wind SE@6

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
8:25AM        4:57PM

Moonrise         Moonset       Overhead      Underfoot
4:16AM           2:48PM           9:37AM            10:03PM

Moon Phase:  Waning Crescent (13% Full)

EDGE HOUR:  2:20-3:20PM.  Kick off your afternoon outing with moonset and calm conditions in our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

NEARING THE BORDER.  The Montana FWP reports that a mule deer buck in Powder River County in the southeast corner of the state has tested positive for CWD.  It is the fifth deer to test positive this year in Montana’s southeast region and puts this prion-caused disease about 100 miles from North Dakota’s southwestern deer hunting units.

SILVER CONCERN.  The Minnesota DNR reports upstream movement of invasive silver carp into the southwestern corner of the state.  As these fish have made their way up the tributaries of the Mississippi River, recent high waters from this summer and fall have helped their colonization of northern stretches.

STILL STABLE.  While we get a bit of a cool dip to seasonal temperatures after today’s warmth, there are no weathermakers on the map for your holiday visits, hunts and ice fishing trips. Winds remain generally low, if not calm, all week and highs in the 20s should allow for a lot of time outdoors.  With the new moon set for Thursday, you’ll see an increase in action as the week moves along