Storm may hit area: Weather may be factor in deer opener

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The weather may be on the side of the deer this weekend with meteorologists anticipating a cold front and storm system moving across the region.

“It is bad timing,” said Daryl Ritchison, WDAY meteorologist. “Especially to the west and north of Jamestown.”

Ritchison said the storm will move from west to east beginning Friday night with the greatest impact on Saturday. The North Dakota deer gun season opens at noon on Friday and continues through Nov. 25.

“Hunters are going to need to prepare for any weather they may encounter,” said Corey Erck, district game warden for Jamestown. “Just like any outdoor activity, you need to make sure you are safe and prepared for the elements.”

The weather that hunters and travelers encounter could vary greatly.

“It will vary depending on where you are in relation to the weather system,” Ritchison said. “Jamestown could be in the narrow band where you have rain, then sleet and then snow.”

The worst of the precipitation is anticipated through the day on Saturday.

“It is a mix of a little rain, little freezing rain and a little snow,” said Ken Simosko, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Bismarck. “Friday night through Saturday morning it is rain and sleet with snow Saturday afternoon into the evening. It will make travel dangerous.”

Simosko anticipates between 3 and 5 inches of snow accumulation for Jamestown with greater amounts to the north and west.

“The worst is really in the northern tier of counties in North Dakota,” Ritchison said. “From (N.D.) Highway 200 and north they could see 5 to 10 inches of new snow.”

The snow is not anticipated to remain on the ground for long, at least in central North Dakota. He anticipates highs above freezing next week with no new weather systems on the horizon.

“The snow will melt off around Jamestown,” Ritchison said.

“The northern half of the state may keep their snow.”

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: news, weather, hunting