Bismarck and Mandan residents should get a chance to break out those snow shovels today that have been lying dormant for most of 2008.

A low-pressure system moving out of central Rockies and into the Central Plains states is being preceded to the north by a large area of light to moderate snow, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Birk.

The system breakout in southwestern North Dakota is spreading north and east. The snow started just after midnight today, and by the time people will start getting out of bed to get ready for the day, about one to two inches will have accumulated, according to Birk.

The snow will continue through most of the day, tapering off by later afternoon-early evening, with accumulations up to four inches and even five inches in some areas. Winds are expected to pick up later today, with speeds from 15 to 25 mph, which could create some blowing snow and limited visibility.

This morning's low should be between 12 and 15 degrees, reach a high of 18 later in the day and then dropping into the single digits early Tuesday.

"We won't be seeing any arctic blasts like we did last week," Birk said.

The rest of the week calls for a warm up, with temperatures in the upper 20s by Friday and Saturday, which is right about the seasonal average, Birk said.

"It's been a lack luster season, as far as snow is concerned," Birk said. "Since last fall we've had 8.8 inches, which is well below the normal. The average seasonal snow fall, including fall, winter and spring, is about 40 inches. We're going to have to see a lot of snow to catch up."

The high one-day snow fall in 2008 so far, came on Jan. 22 with nine-tenths recorded in Bismarck.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)