Cold Day to Dig Out | Video

Alex Hagan | 1/12/2013

Bismarck didn`t receive as much snow as other parts of the state, but people in the Capitol City were still up early this morning shoveling sidewalks and plowing driveways. Wind chills dipped well under zero degrees, making it a cold day to dig out.

Kevin Mabry and his son Deanthony are still adjusting to a North Dakota winter. They moved from Mississippi and admit, this morning was a little more than they`re used to. "I`m still trying to figure out what a mild winter is because, it doesn`t look mild to me," said Kevin.

Mabry donned his heavy coat as he shoveled off the sidewalks in front of his home. With wind chills making the outside temp feel like 14 below zero, Mabry knows he`s not in Mississippi anymore. "It`s a job, but yeah it`s beautiful, it`s nice. It`s something different."

Friday night`s storm and subzero temperatures were nothing new for Skip Elefson. Every fresh snowfall means Elefson will spend time clearing his own sidewalks and his neighbors` as well. And this winter, Elefson’s snowblower has had plenty of practice. "Last year, I only ran the snowblower four times the whole winter and this is about the fifth time already this winter."

Compared to other parts of North Dakota, Bismarck didn`t receive much for heavy snowfall from the storm.

"Our biggest problem has been drifting with the wind," said Elefson.

The wind remains a factor for drivers who are heading out on snow covered roads.

"There`s still a lot of drifting going on out there. The plows are out, but they can`t be everywhere at once," said Jeremiah Bohn of the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Thankfully, many drivers got the message and stayed indoors on Friday night. The North Dakota Highway patrol only responded to a handful of accidents with no injuries.

While the weather has improved, troopers are encouraging others to use caution. "Drive within their capabilities, lower than the speed limit right now is the best idea," said Bohn.

Elefson says he doesn`t mind the cold weather, for now. "As long as we don`t get the real bitter cold with the 40 below wind chill factors all the time."

Still, he knows there`s plenty of winter to go, in what`s already been a colder and snowier than 2011.

Bismarck received about two inches of snow. Parshall received the most with six inches.

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