Due to the large amounts of dry vegetation on the ground and lack of precipitation and not foreseeing any precipitation in the near future, the Mercer County Commission, advised by the local Fire Chiefs, has issued a Burn Ban for all of Mercer County until further notice.
An individual who willfully violates a burning ban established by a local order or proclamation under section 37-17.1-10 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
A relatively weaker La Nina compared to last year has resulted in a warmer and drier first half of the winter thus far. This pattern is expected to transition into a somewhat more seasonal weather pattern into early February. Expectations from the Climate Prediction Center suggest an equal chance of below normal…near normal…or above normal temperatures and precipitation through February. Towards later in the spring…the Climate Prediction Center suggests higher probability of another transition to above normal precipitation. Importantly, there is still more than enough of the winter season left to provide significant snowpack before the onset of the spring melt.
The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Red Flag Warning for very strong winds and dry fuels…which is in effect from 10 AM CST (9 AM MST) this morning to 7 PM CST (6 PM MST) this evening.
*Sustained winds of 25 MPH with Gusts of over 50 MPH will develop across Western and portions of Central
North Dakota today.
*Temperatures in the 50s and 60s with relative humidity as low as 25 percent will produce extreme Fire Danger.
* The Strong Winds combined with very dry fuels will create the potential for explosive fire growth.
Counites include: DIVIDE-BURKE-RENVILLE-WILLIAMS-MOUNTRAIL-WARD-MCKENZIE-DUNN-
MERCER-OLIVER-MCLEAN-GOLDEN VALLEY-BILLINGS-STARK-MORTON-BURLEIGH-
SLOPE-HETTINGER-GRANT-BOWMAN-ADAMS-SIOUX-EMMONS
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a way to alert the public of national emergencies.
This Nationwide EAS Test is being conducted Wednesday, November 9 at 1:00 PM Central Standard Time for 30 seconds.
As of 2:00 PM (CT) on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011, The National Weather Service out of Bismarck, stated that Western North Dakota, including Mercer County could get from 2-6 inches of snow, late Saturday and early Sunday Morning. This system will start out with rain during the day on Saturday and turn into snow in the evening. Snow will continue to fall through Sunday morning. Winds are expected to be 20-30 mph. This forecast could change, please keep updated regarding this winter weather at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/
