JAMESTOWN, N.D. - The first winter storm watch of the season for the Jamestown area is in effect through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.Foster, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, Stutsman and Wells counties are among the 36 North Dakota counties that are included in the storm watch.
"It's going to be a long period of winter weather," said Bill Abeling, a meteorologist with the NWS in Bismarck.
A mix of rain, sleet and snow is expected across the James River Valley with a mix of rain and snow today through Wednesday, the NWS said. Stutsman County should see more snow to the west and more mix of sleet and freezing rain to the east.
"The western parts of Stutsman County will get as much as 8 to 10 inches of snow," he said.
Eastern Stutsman County will get more rain and sleet early on and should have 4 to 6 inches of snow by Wednesday, he said. This includes the Jamestown area.
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There will not be continuous snow through Wednesday, but rain and sleet will transition to snow as temperatures change, he said. Higher temperatures during the day should help melt snow and ice that accumulated overnight, he said, and as temperatures drop the rain will turn to snow in the evening.
The wintery conditions will make travel difficult with slick roads and blowing snow, he said. Road surfaces east of the James River were tested at above freezing as of Sunday, he said. Roads west of the James River were closer to freezing, and as of Sunday were already considered critical for driving with any added precipitation.
The blowing snow caused by winds in excess of 15 mph with gusts over 20 mph over the three days will contribute to driving hazards.
"The dividing line for difficult travel really is near the Jamestown area," he said.
The storm watch issued Sunday by the NWS predicted rain into early today with snow and sleet until 5 a.m. There is a 90 percent chance of precipitation with accumulations of less than 1 inch of new snow this morning. The low temperature will be 31 degrees with northeast winds of 10 to 14 mph.
This afternoon there is an 80 percent chance of precipitation, but it will be less than a 1/2 inch of new snow with temperatures between 32 and 38 degrees. The chance of snow and rain continues overnight with temperatures expected to be around 32 degrees.
Tuesday morning will see a 70 percent chance of precipitation, which will be followed by a mix of rain and snow in the afternoon with a high near 35 degrees. More snow and rain is possible overnight with a low around 27 degrees.
There is a 50 percent chance of snow on Wednesday before 7 a.m., with a high near 31 degrees. The chance of snow continues overnight with a low around 24 degrees.
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The extended forecast includes a 20 percent chance of snow on Thursday and Friday with high temperatures between 21 and 31 degrees.
