Winter isn’t quite here yet but it’s on its way. North Dakotans should be relieved with the weather predictions recently released by The Old Famer’s Almanac for the 2017-2018 winter. Whether you dread it or you’re looking forward to certain seasonal activities, here is what this state will likely experience:

According to the prediction, North Dakota will have a winter that is not as harsh as usual. Less snowfall and warmer-than-average temperatures are expected.

Geof Wilson/Flickr

Don’t think that you can keep your heavy winter jackets packed away the whole winter, though, because it is still going to be fairly cold, especially from November to January. You will likely still see a few sun dogs during this time.

Rick Bohn/USFWS/Flickr

If you’re in the eastern half of North Dakota, you can expect below normal precipitation and snowfall with the heaviest snow in mid to late December and early to mid February. The coldest temperatures will come in late November, December, early January, and early February.

Jordan Green/Flickr

If you are in the western half of North Dakota, the precipitation is expected to be slightly above average but snowfall will still be below normal. Expect the most snow in November, December, and early to mid-March.

Geof Wilson/Flickr

If you like ice fishing or other North Dakotan winter activities you can rejoice at the cold temps, but if you like snowmobiling you may be a bit disappointed at the less-than-average snowfall for this year. Overall it will be a pretty mild - but still a bit chilly - winter.

Geof Wilson/Flickr

If you plan on going snow tubing or winter hiking this year, you’ll probably want to do it during the snowiest periods listed above. You can click on the links to find the best places in North Dakota to do these. Now let’s wait and see if these predictions come true!

Geof Wilson/Flickr

Rick Bohn/USFWS/Flickr

Jordan Green/Flickr

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