Climate of North Dakota
North Dakota's climate is typical of a continental climate with cold winters and warm-hot summers. The state's location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, and each of the four seasons has its own distinct characteristics. The eastern half of the state has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with warm to hot, somewhat humid summers and cold, windy winters, while the western half has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with less precipitation and less humidity but similar temperature profiles. The areas east of the Missouri River get slightly colder winters, while those west of the stream get higher summer daytime temperatures. In general, the diurnal temperature difference is prone to be more significant in the west due to higher elevation and less humidity.
General climatology
Due to its location in the center of North America North Dakota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers.[2] Each season has distinctive upper air patterns which bring different weather conditions with them. One feature of a continental climate is that weather patterns can be unpredictable. For example, an Alberta clipper, a low pressure system originating in the province of Alberta in Canada, would be a common winter occurrence in North Dakota. But with the general unpredictability of weather in a continental climate, such a storm system could occur in spring, or in late autumn. Hot weather, though usually confined to July and August, can sometimes begin as early as April or May, and could spill over into September or October.[3]
Being 1,000 miles (1,609 km) from any large body of water (with the exception of Lake Superior), temperatures and precipitation in North Dakota can vary widely. North Dakota is far enough north to experience −60 °F (−51 °C) temperatures and blizzards during the winter months, but far enough south to experience 121 °F (49 °C) temperatures and tornado outbreaks in the summer.[4] The 181 °F degree (100 °C) variation between North Dakota's highest and lowest temperature is the 3rd largest variation of any U.S. State, and the largest of any non-mountainous state.[5]
North Dakota is far from major sources of moisture and is in the transition zone between the moist East and the semi-arid West, as precipitation and humidity decrease from east to west. Annual average precipitation across the state ranges from around 14 in (35.6 cm) in the west to 22 in (55.9 cm) in the east.[6] Snow is the main form of precipitation from November through March, while rain is the most common the rest of the year. It has snowed in North Dakota during every month except July and August. The ENSO also has a significant impact on North Dakota's weather. During El Niño, the jet stream is often weakened and shoved further north into Canada. This usually blocks arctic air from entering North Dakota and a milder zonal pattern takes place. The opposite phase, La Niña, strengthens the jet stream even more, making arctic air even colder and more dominant.
Statistics for ThreadEx cities
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 63 (17) |
73 (23) |
81 (27) |
93 (34) |
102 (39) |
111 (44) |
114 (46) |
109 (43) |
105 (41) |
95 (35) |
79 (26) |
66 (19) |
114 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 46.7 (8.2) |
49.9 (9.9) |
66.7 (19.3) |
80.2 (26.8) |
87.1 (30.6) |
93.2 (34.0) |
98.3 (36.8) |
98.2 (36.8) |
93.0 (33.9) |
82.1 (27.8) |
63.9 (17.7) |
49.4 (9.7) |
101.4 (38.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 23.2 (−4.9) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
41.0 (5.0) |
56.0 (13.3) |
68.3 (20.2) |
77.9 (25.5) |
84.7 (29.3) |
83.5 (28.6) |
73.4 (23.0) |
57.1 (13.9) |
40.6 (4.8) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
55.1 (12.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 12.8 (−10.7) |
17.5 (−8.1) |
30.1 (−1.1) |
43.2 (6.2) |
55.3 (12.9) |
65.4 (18.6) |
71.3 (21.8) |
69.6 (20.9) |
59.7 (15.4) |
44.8 (7.1) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
17.9 (−7.8) |
43.1 (6.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 2.4 (−16.4) |
7.2 (−13.8) |
19.1 (−7.2) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
42.4 (5.8) |
52.9 (11.6) |
57.9 (14.4) |
55.7 (13.2) |
45.9 (7.7) |
32.6 (0.3) |
19.1 (−7.2) |
8.1 (−13.3) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −23.8 (−31.0) |
−17.6 (−27.6) |
−4.7 (−20.4) |
13.4 (−10.3) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
39.7 (4.3) |
46.2 (7.9) |
43.3 (6.3) |
29.8 (−1.2) |
15.9 (−8.9) |
−1.0 (−18.3) |
−16.0 (−26.7) |
−27.9 (−33.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −45 (−43) |
−45 (−43) |
−36 (−38) |
−12 (−24) |
13 (−11) |
30 (−1) |
32 (0) |
32 (0) |
10 (−12) |
−10 (−23) |
−30 (−34) |
−43 (−42) |
−45 (−43) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.48 (12) |
0.52 (13) |
0.84 (21) |
1.34 (34) |
2.50 (64) |
3.36 (85) |
3.07 (78) |
2.50 (64) |
1.72 (44) |
1.43 (36) |
0.69 (18) |
0.60 (15) |
19.05 (484) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.9 (23) |
7.5 (19) |
8.5 (22) |
4.6 (12) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.5 (6.4) |
8.0 (20) |
10.1 (26) |
50.5 (128) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 8.0 (20) |
7.0 (18) |
5.8 (15) |
3.5 (8.9) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.3 (3.3) |
4.4 (11) |
6.3 (16) |
11.5 (29) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.8 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 10.4 | 11.6 | 9.7 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 7.7 | 99.8 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 9.9 | 8.7 | 6.3 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 8.0 | 10.1 | 44.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 71.3 | 72.4 | 69.9 | 61.8 | 60.1 | 65.0 | 61.8 | 60.6 | 63.7 | 63.8 | 72.0 | 74.5 | 66.4 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 2.3 (−16.5) |
8.6 (−13.0) |
18.9 (−7.3) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
39.6 (4.2) |
50.5 (10.3) |
54.9 (12.7) |
52.0 (11.1) |
42.4 (5.8) |
32.2 (0.1) |
19.8 (−6.8) |
7.5 (−13.6) |
29.8 (−1.2) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 149.4 | 153.5 | 222.3 | 244.3 | 296.1 | 318.1 | 354.6 | 316.2 | 245.9 | 191.7 | 122.6 | 122.9 | 2,737.6 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 53 | 53 | 60 | 60 | 64 | 67 | 74 | 72 | 65 | 57 | 43 | 46 | 61 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 6.7 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 3.9 |
| Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990)[7][8][9] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: UV Index Today (1995 to 2022)[10] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Grand Forks International Airport, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals,[11] extremes 1893–present[12]) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 52 (11) |
67 (19) |
83 (28) |
100 (38) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
109 (43) |
104 (40) |
103 (39) |
95 (35) |
75 (24) |
58 (14) |
109 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 39.1 (3.9) |
40.3 (4.6) |
54.2 (12.3) |
75.6 (24.2) |
86.6 (30.3) |
91.2 (32.9) |
91.5 (33.1) |
92.2 (33.4) |
89.4 (31.9) |
77.4 (25.2) |
57.1 (13.9) |
40.3 (4.6) |
95.1 (35.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 15.8 (−9.0) |
20.5 (−6.4) |
33.9 (1.1) |
52.0 (11.1) |
66.9 (19.4) |
76.4 (24.7) |
80.7 (27.1) |
79.8 (26.6) |
70.4 (21.3) |
53.9 (12.2) |
35.7 (2.1) |
21.4 (−5.9) |
50.6 (10.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 6.3 (−14.3) |
10.6 (−11.9) |
24.4 (−4.2) |
40.7 (4.8) |
54.1 (12.3) |
64.6 (18.1) |
68.9 (20.5) |
67.0 (19.4) |
57.9 (14.4) |
43.2 (6.2) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
12.8 (−10.7) |
39.8 (4.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −3.1 (−19.5) |
0.7 (−17.4) |
15.0 (−9.4) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
41.4 (5.2) |
52.9 (11.6) |
57.0 (13.9) |
54.3 (12.4) |
45.3 (7.4) |
32.5 (0.3) |
17.8 (−7.9) |
4.2 (−15.4) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −26.1 (−32.3) |
−21.6 (−29.8) |
−10.3 (−23.5) |
14.0 (−10.0) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
40.9 (4.9) |
46.3 (7.9) |
42.9 (6.1) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
17.3 (−8.2) |
−1.5 (−18.6) |
−18.1 (−27.8) |
−28.9 (−33.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −43 (−42) |
−42 (−41) |
−36 (−38) |
−9 (−23) |
5 (−15) |
28 (−2) |
30 (−1) |
30 (−1) |
11 (−12) |
−9 (−23) |
−35 (−37) |
−37 (−38) |
−43 (−42) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.49 (12) |
0.51 (13) |
0.91 (23) |
1.21 (31) |
2.80 (71) |
3.77 (96) |
3.52 (89) |
2.81 (71) |
2.26 (57) |
1.88 (48) |
0.92 (23) |
0.66 (17) |
21.74 (552) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.9 (25) |
7.1 (18) |
7.4 (19) |
3.5 (8.9) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.6 (4.1) |
6.6 (17) |
12.3 (31) |
48.4 (123) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 11.3 (29) |
11.6 (29) |
10.9 (28) |
2.7 (6.9) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.6 (1.5) |
3.7 (9.4) |
8.3 (21) |
15.1 (38) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 8.4 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 10.7 | 12.1 | 10.2 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 7.0 | 8.8 | 104.8 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 10.2 | 7.7 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 5.7 | 10.2 | 43.4 |
| Source: NOAA[13][14] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Williston, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals,[c] extremes 1894–present[d] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 58 (14) |
66 (19) |
84 (29) |
92 (33) |
106 (41) |
108 (42) |
110 (43) |
108 (42) |
104 (40) |
93 (34) |
76 (24) |
63 (17) |
110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 44.0 (6.7) |
46.7 (8.2) |
65.1 (18.4) |
79.0 (26.1) |
86.6 (30.3) |
93.5 (34.2) |
98.0 (36.7) |
98.9 (37.2) |
93.3 (34.1) |
80.3 (26.8) |
60.4 (15.8) |
46.1 (7.8) |
100.6 (38.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 22.1 (−5.5) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
40.1 (4.5) |
55.6 (13.1) |
67.4 (19.7) |
76.7 (24.8) |
84.5 (29.2) |
83.9 (28.8) |
72.6 (22.6) |
55.9 (13.3) |
38.4 (3.6) |
26.1 (−3.3) |
54.2 (12.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 11.6 (−11.3) |
16.1 (−8.8) |
28.8 (−1.8) |
42.4 (5.8) |
53.8 (12.1) |
63.5 (17.5) |
70.4 (21.3) |
69.0 (20.6) |
58.0 (14.4) |
43.2 (6.2) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
16.1 (−8.8) |
41.7 (5.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 1.0 (−17.2) |
5.5 (−14.7) |
17.5 (−8.1) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
40.2 (4.6) |
50.2 (10.1) |
56.3 (13.5) |
54.0 (12.2) |
43.5 (6.4) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
17.1 (−8.3) |
6.1 (−14.4) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −25.8 (−32.1) |
−19.5 (−28.6) |
−7.6 (−22.0) |
12.6 (−10.8) |
24.4 (−4.2) |
37.5 (3.1) |
45.1 (7.3) |
40.9 (4.9) |
27.2 (−2.7) |
12.0 (−11.1) |
−4.6 (−20.3) |
−19.8 (−28.8) |
−29.2 (−34.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −42 (−41) |
−50 (−46) |
−35 (−37) |
−15 (−26) |
10 (−12) |
26 (−3) |
34 (1) |
32 (0) |
13 (−11) |
−9 (−23) |
−27 (−33) |
−50 (−46) |
−50 (−46) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.56 (14) |
0.48 (12) |
0.63 (16) |
1.05 (27) |
2.10 (53) |
2.64 (67) |
2.48 (63) |
1.57 (40) |
1.36 (35) |
0.94 (24) |
0.67 (17) |
0.63 (16) |
15.11 (384) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 11.2 (28) |
6.7 (17) |
6.4 (16) |
3.7 (9.4) |
0.9 (2.3) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.6 (6.6) |
6.3 (16) |
10.4 (26) |
48.2 (122) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.6 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 8.3 | 9.9 | 12.3 | 9.2 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 8.5 | 100.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 9.8 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 5.8 | 8.8 | 42.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 71.3 | 75.6 | 72.5 | 61.4 | 58.5 | 59.6 | 56.1 | 54.9 | 61.1 | 65.2 | 74.9 | 77.1 | 66.1 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 3.4 (−15.9) |
10.0 (−12.2) |
19.9 (−6.7) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
38.8 (3.8) |
48.6 (9.2) |
52.2 (11.2) |
49.5 (9.7) |
41.2 (5.1) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
19.6 (−6.9) |
7.5 (−13.6) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 144.5 | 169.7 | 227.3 | 250.3 | 297.9 | 326.0 | 366.3 | 331.5 | 249.5 | 197.1 | 122.2 | 125.5 | 2,807.8 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 53 | 59 | 62 | 61 | 63 | 68 | 76 | 75 | 66 | 59 | 44 | 48 | 63 |
| Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1962–1990, sun 1961–1990)[e][16][17][18] | |||||||||||||
Seasons
Winter in North Dakota is characterized by cold (below freezing) temperatures and snowfall. Snow is the main form of winter precipitation, but freezing rain, ice, sleet, and sometimes even rain are all possible during the winter months. Common storm systems include Alberta clippers or Panhandle hooks, some of which evolve into blizzards. Annual snowfall averages from 26 inches (66 cm) in the central part of the state to 38 inches (96.5 cm) in the northeast and southwest.[19] Temperatures as low as −60 °F (−51 °C) have occurred during North Dakota winters.[4]
Spring is a time of major transition in North Dakota. Early spring commonly sees snowstorms, but by late spring as temperatures begin to moderate the state can experience tornado outbreaks, a risk which diminishes but does not cease through the summer and into the fall as North Dakota lies at the northern edge of Tornado Alley. Springtime flooding is a relatively common event in the Red River Valley, due to the river flowing north into Canada. The spring melt and the eventual runoff typically begins earlier in the southern part of the valley than in the northern part.[20] The most destructive flooding in eastern North Dakota occurred in 1997, which caused extensive damage to Grand Forks.[21]
Summer sees heat and humidity predominate in the east, while hotter and less humid conditions are generally present in the west. These humid conditions help kick off thunderstorm activity 22–34 days a year. Summer high temperatures in North Dakota average in the mid 80s (30 °C) in the west to the upper 70s (25 °C) in the east, with temperatures as hot as 121 °F (49 °C) possible.[4] The growing season in North Dakota usually begins in April, and harvest begins in September and October. Tornadoes are possible in North Dakota from April through October, but the peak tornado month is July, followed by June and August. The state averages 13 tornadoes per year. Depending on location, average annual precipitation ranges from 14 in (35.6 cm) to 22 in (55.9 cm).[6]
Autumn weather in North Dakota is largely the reverse of spring weather. The jet stream, which tends to weaken in summer, begins to re-strengthen, leading to a quicker changing of weather patterns and an increased variability of temperatures. By late October and November these storm systems become strong enough to form major winter storms. Fall and spring are the windiest times of the year in North Dakota.
2017 drought
As of September 2017, the United States Drought Monitor recorded abnormally dryweather conditions across the entire state.[22] The drought is considered severe and unprecedented, and because of its nature as a "unpredictable, sudden event brought on by sustained high temperatures and little rain", it is considered a “flash drought”.[23] North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced that predicted economic losses as a consequence from the drought could amount to as much as $4 billion or $5 billion.[24][25]
See also
Notes
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Records for Bismarck have been kept at the Bismarck Municipal Airport since January 1948 and at an undisclosed location from October 1874 to December 1947.
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Official records for Williston kept at the Weather Bureau Office from January 1894 to June 1948, Sloulin Field International Airport from July 1948 until October 22, 2019, and the new Williston Basin Int'l since October 23, 2019.[15]
- ^ Only 22 to 24 years out of the 29 in the normals period were used to calculate the humidity normals.
References
- ^ Galadriel Findlay Watson (2001). North Dakota. Weigl Publishers Inc. p. 8. ISBN 1-930954-53-0. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
- ^ "NCRFC Climate and Topography". NOAA. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- ^ "Mid-April Heat Wave". Minnesota Climatology Office. April 15, 2002. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- ^ a b c "North Dakota – Climate". City-Data. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
- ^ "U.S. Extreme Record Temps & Differences". Golden Gate Weather Services. 2005. Retrieved November 23, 2006.
- ^ a b "Climate of North Dakota" (PDF). National Weather Service Forecast Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
- ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Station Name: ND BISMARCK". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for BISMARCK/MUNICIPAL, ND 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- ^ "Historical UV Index Data - Bismarck, ND". UV Index Today. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Records for Grand Forks have been kept at the Grand Forks International Airport since April 1965, the former Grand Forks Municipal Airport from September 1948 through March 1965, and at Grand Forks University from January 1893 to August 1948.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Grand Forks INTL AP, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Threaded Extremes". threadex.rcc-acis.org. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Williston Sloulin INTL AP, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ "WMO climate normals for Williston/Sloulin Field, ND 1961−1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ "Climate of North Dakota". Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
- ^ "Anatomy of a Red River Flood". National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
- ^ "The Grand Forks Flood". Alan Draves. 2002. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
- ^ "United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor". droughtmonitor.unl.edu. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ McLaughlin, Kathleen (September 7, 2017). "The unprecedented drought that's crippling Montana and North Dakota". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Service, John Hageman Forum News. "'History is being made' Farmers, ranchers assess impact of North Dakota drought". Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Service, April Baumgarten Forum News. "Drought's toll likely billions of dollars for North Dakota economy". Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
