Hey, guess what?

Winter begins today.

In a hurried bit of last-minute decorating, Mother Nature really laid into Bismarck on Monday. She turned the brown city white in about half an hour. For those complaining of a want of winter wonderland, well, you got what you wanted.

The squalls hit Bismarck at about 3:30 p.m., dark walls of high wind and snow flurries that reminded residents where they lived. Although the temperature reached 45 degrees Monday, the wind brought in weather that definitely is worthy of a North Dakota winter.

High temps today through Thursday are not expected to reach double digits. The high on Thursday might not even crack zero degrees. The state Highway Patrol reminded motorists to employ extra caution as they travel for Christmas.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory that lasted into this morning for all but southeastern North Dakota.

"There's a pinwheel of low-pressure systems coming by, whipping cold air back over us finally for a while," weather service meteorologist Rich Leblang said. "In doing so, it's created some snow showers."

Snow fell Monday from Williston to Minot and down to Bismarck. Leblang said it wouldn't amount to even an inch here. Still, winds gusting to 50 mph blew the snow around, severely limiting visibility in areas.

Today's high, according to the weather service, was expected to be 9 degrees. It should get there about 1 p.m., then drop to about 2 degrees for the rest of the day. There's a 30 percent chance of snow. The low tonight should reach about 7 below, with wind chills in the neighborhood of 23 below to 16 below.

Wednesday's high will be about 3 degrees, and the low near 11 below. The high temperature Thursday is forecast to be 2 below, and the low 8 below.

The high on Christmas Eve should be about 12 degrees, and the low around 6.

It will heat up on Christmas Day, with temps expected to peak at 33 in the Bismarck area. Sunday also is predicted to be nicer, with highs in the upper 30s. It will get colder again on Monday, however, with a high of 10 degrees expected.

"The second surge of cold comes in Monday, after everyone has had their nice warm Christmas," Leblang said. "They'll get to try out all those new coats and gloves and hats that they got."

The highway patrol said to drive with care, especially along bridge decks and overheads. It issued the following tips:

* Reduce your speed.

* Increase following distance.

* Do not use cruise control.

* Turn on your headlights.

* Wear your safety belt.

(Reach Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tspilde@ndonline.com.)