Kim Fundingsland/MDN The melting of snow and ice from sidewalks and other areas could become more common the next few days with near normal temperatures in the forecast for the Minot area.

The Minot region apparently will escape the winter storm that is expected to dump 4-12 inches of snow in the state through tonight. The worst of the system is expected to impact the southern reach of the Red River Valley where there is growing concern of possible flooding once the spring melt gets underway.

Minot, once targeted for about 6 inches of snow from the system, is expected to experience very little evidence of a powerful system. Furthermore, says Janine Vining, National Weather Service meteorologist in Bismarck, a second storm system bearing down on the state could also bypass Minot.

“It’s very tough to tell exactly what’s going on with that,” said Vining. “Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday it looks like maybe a couple of inches of snow for Minot. You’ll still be on the northwest side of the system. It looks like the eastern part of the state will get hammered again, maybe even with a rain and snow mix.”

While the eastern part of North Dakota deals with discouraging weather news the outlook for the Minot area should uplift the spirits of many. No, a heat wave is not expected but at least Minot is expected to put a lengthy stretch of well below normal temperatures in the rear view mirror.

“On Monday and Tuesday it looks like you’ll be around average,” stated Vining. “You should have low 30’s on Monday and maybe mid-30’s on Tuesday. All in all it won’t be so bitterly cold. The systems are coming up from the south and bringing the warm air with them and there’s no cold air on the backside.”

Average daytime highs for Minot this time of year are in the low 30’s. Given the record cold temperatures of February a return to normal, or close to it, should seem remarkably warm. It could be, said Vining, the start of a return to normalcy.

“March 16 through 22 we’re still looking at below average temperatures but not so much,” remarked Vining. “I think we’ll start to see a trend toward average, maybe even low 40’s at the very end of the month.”