WATER TALK.  It’s a great day to get on the ice again as temperatures stay decent and winds light out of the southeast.  As we venture out we also look around the state and see a tale of two watersheds as flooding concerns in the Missouri River basin are low as of now, but the Red River valley expects to see higher odds of significant flooding this spring.  Adjust your early fishing trips accordingly!

Featured Photo:  A GOOD LOOK.  Just hanging out with some bluegills.  Simonson Photo.

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Sun 2/16 – Solid Sunday – Hi 28, Lo 17, Wind SE@10
Tomorrow: Mon 2/17 – Colder – Hi 22, Lo 11, Wind NW@13, G25

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
7:45AM        6:08PM

Moonrise         Moonset        Overhead      Underfoot
12:24AM        11:57AM         7:14AM            7:41PM

 
Moon Phase:  Waning Crescent (45% Full)

EDGE HOUR: 7:00-8:00AM.  Moon overhead with sunrise and lighter winds will kick off your Sunday with a solid bite in our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

MODERATING.  Here at the 5/8 point of winter, the AWSSI survey is showing significant moderation of severe conditions in the western portion of North Dakota to a more moderate level.  Meanwhile, things remain severe and extreme along the eastern edge as snowfall and ground cover persists.

SNOWPACK? MORE LIKE NO PACK.  Snow cover in the upper reaches of the Missouri River drainage is remarkably low for this time of year, with very little ground cover in the eastern half of Montana.  This suggests that lower runoff amounts from upstream into ND’s western river systems are likely this spring.

SEEING RED.  The Red River basin however is staring down the barrel of likely spring flooding, with significant snow cover in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. The National Weather Service predicts a likelihood of 50 percent or more that the Red will reach major flood stage sometime this spring, with the historically most risky time period of Mar. 30 – Apr. 30.