View source for Climate of North Dakota

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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
[[File:Köppen Climate Types North Dakota.png|thumb|300x300px|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] of North Dakota, using 1991–2020 [[Climatological normal|climate normals]].]]
[[File:NDSkyLine.jpg|thumb|250px|Western North Dakota lands along [[Interstate 94 in North Dakota]]. With an average 17 inches of precipitation a year, North Dakota is one of the driest states in the United States.<ref>{{cite book |title= North Dakota |last= Galadriel Findlay Watson |year= 2001|publisher=Weigl Publishers Inc.|isbn= 1-930954-53-0 |page=8 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dyljrA1mLy0C|access-date=2009-09-04 }}</ref>]]'''[[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]] [[Humid continental climate|''Dfb and Dwb)'']] with warm to hot, somewhat humid summers and cold, windy winters, while the western half has a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|''BSk'']]'') with less [[Precipitation (meteorology)|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==
[[File:Flooding in North Dakota.jpg|thumb|Flooding in North Dakota in March 2010.]]

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.<ref>{{cite web  | title = NCRFC Climate and Topography  | publisher=[[NOAA]] | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ncrfc/content/resources/compendium.php | access-date = 2006-11-10}}</ref>  Each season has distinctive [[Jet stream|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.<ref>{{cite web  | title = Mid-April Heat Wave  | publisher=Minnesota Climatology Office  | date = April 15, 2002  | url = http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/mid-april2002heat.htm  | access-date =2006-11-10}}</ref>

Being {{convert|1000|miles|km|0}} from any large body of water (with the exception of Lake Superior), temperatures and precipitation in North Dakota can [[List of Minnesota weather records#Temperature|vary widely]].  North Dakota is far enough north to experience −60&nbsp;°F (−51&nbsp;°C) temperatures and blizzards during the winter months, but far enough south to experience 121&nbsp;°F (49&nbsp;°C) temperatures and tornado outbreaks in the summer.<ref name="extremes">{{cite web |url= http://www.city-data.com/states/North-Dakota-Climate.html |title= North Dakota – Climate| publisher=City-Data | access-date=2007-08-20}}</ref> The 181&nbsp;°F&nbsp;degree (100&nbsp;°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.<ref>{{cite web  | title = U.S. Extreme Record Temps & Differences  | publisher=Golden Gate Weather Services  | year = 2005  | url = http://ggweather.com/climate/extremes_us.htm  | access-date =2006-11-23}}</ref>

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 (meteorology)|precipitation]] across the state ranges from around 14&nbsp;in (35.6&nbsp;cm) in the west to 22&nbsp;in (55.9&nbsp;cm) in the east.<ref name="noaa">{{cite web | title = Climate of North Dakota | publisher = National Weather Service Forecast Office | url = http://www5.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim60/states/Clim_ND_01.pdf | access-date = 2007-08-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926010149/http://www5.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim60/states/Clim_ND_01.pdf | archive-date = September 26, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> 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 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 [http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ ThreadEx] cities===
{{Bismarck, North Dakota weatherbox}}
{{excerpt|Fargo, North Dakota|Climate|only=template|templates=weather box}}
{{Grand Forks, North Dakota weatherbox|collapsed=Y}}
{{#lst:Williston, North Dakota|weather box}}

==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]], [[Ice storm|sleet]], and sometimes even rain are all possible during the winter months.  Common storm systems include Alberta clippers or [[Panhandle hook]]s, some of which evolve into [[blizzard]]s.  Annual snowfall averages from 26 inches (66&nbsp;cm) in the central part of the state to 38 inches (96.5&nbsp;cm) in the northeast and southwest.<ref>{{cite web  | title = Climate of North Dakota  | publisher=Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center  | url = http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/climate/precip.htm  | access-date = 2007-08-21 }}</ref> Temperatures as low as −60&nbsp;°F (−51&nbsp;°C) have occurred during North Dakota winters.<ref name="extremes"/>

Spring is a time of major transition in North Dakota.  Early spring commonly sees [[snowstorm]]s, but by late spring as temperatures begin to moderate the state can experience [[tornado outbreak]]s, 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf/hydro/red_river_flood.php |title= Anatomy of a Red River Flood| publisher=National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office | access-date=2007-08-19}}</ref> The most destructive flooding in eastern North Dakota [[1997 Red River flood|occurred in 1997]], which caused extensive damage to [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.grandforksflood.com/ |title= The Grand Forks Flood| publisher=Alan Draves |year=2002 | access-date=2007-08-20}}</ref>

Summer sees heat and humidity predominate in the east, while hotter and less [[humidity|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&nbsp;°C) in the west to the upper 70s (25&nbsp;°C) in the east, with temperatures as hot as 121&nbsp;°F (49&nbsp;°C) possible.<ref name="extremes"/> 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&nbsp;in (35.6&nbsp;cm) to 22&nbsp;in (55.9&nbsp;cm).<ref name="noaa"/>

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.

== Extreme weather ==

'''2017 Drought''' As of September 2017, the [[United States Drought Monitor]] recorded abnormally dry weather conditions across the entire state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?ND|title=United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor|website=droughtmonitor.unl.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2017-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907214240/http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?ND|archive-date=September 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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" leading to a rapid drop in soil moisture, it is considered a “[[flash drought]]”.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Osman|first=Mahmoud|last2=Zaitchik|first2=Benjamin F.|last3=Badr|first3=Hamada S.|last4=Christian|first4=Jordan I.|last5=Tadesse|first5=Tsegaye|last6=Otkin|first6=Jason A.|last7=Anderson|first7=Martha C.|author-link7=Martha Anderson|date=2021-02-08|title=Flash drought onset over the contiguous United States: sensitivity of inventories and trends to quantitative definitions|url=https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/25/565/2021/|journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences|language=English|volume=25|issue=2|pages=565–581|doi=10.5194/hess-25-565-2021|issn=1027-5606|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hoell|first=Andrew|last2=Perlwitz|first2=Judith|last3=Dewes|first3=Candida|last4=Wolter|first4=Klaus|last5=Rangwala|first5=Imtiaz|last6=Quan|first6=Xiao-Wei|last7=Eischeid|first7=Jon|date=January 2019|title=Anthropogenic Contributions to the Intensity of the 2017 United States Northern Great Plains Drought|url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/100/1/bams-d-18-0127.1.xml|journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|volume=100|issue=1|pages=S19–S24|doi=10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0127.1|issn=0003-0007|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/07/flash-drought-north-dakota-montana-wildfires|title=The unprecedented drought that's crippling Montana and North Dakota|last=McLaughlin|first=Kathleen|date=2017-09-07|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-07|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/history-is-being-made-farmers-ranchers-assess-impact-of-north/article_b6f7231b-fdbe-56e5-a623-10eb5eded50c.html|title='History is being made' Farmers, ranchers assess impact of North Dakota drought|last=Service|first=John Hageman Forum News|work=Bismarck Tribune|access-date=2017-09-07|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/drought-s-toll-likely-billions-of-dollars-for-north-dakota/article_d09ba7cb-f946-5942-bb96-161a4f341efd.html|title=Drought's toll likely billions of dollars for North Dakota economy|last=Service|first=April Baumgarten Forum News|work=Bismarck Tribune|access-date=2017-09-07|language=en}}</ref>

[https://www.swc.nd.gov/info_edu/reports_and_publications/pdfs/wr_investigations/wr29_report.pdf '''Climatic and Hydrologic Aspects of the 1988-1992 Drought''']  The 1988-92 drought was the second most severe drought 1930-1992

'''[https://commons.und.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=21&article=1000&context=oers&type=additional The Great Drought]'''  Drought struck down North Dakota in the 1930’s. Nine of the eleven years from 1929 through 1939 had less than average rainfall. June, 1929, was one of the driest Junes on record; 

[https://www.ndguard.nd.gov/news/decade-2011-state-wide-flooding '''2011 Statewide Floods''']  U.S. Geological Survey recorded 22 record crests state-wide in 2011 

'''[[1997 Red River flood]]'''  The Red River flood of 1997 was a major flood that occurred in April and May 1997 along the Red River of the North in Minnesota, North Dakota, and southern Manitoba. It was the most severe flood of the river since 1826.  

[https://www.weather.gov/bis/20YearAnniversayofthe1997Blizzard '''1997 April Blizzard'''] 20 years ago (April 4-7, 1997) North Dakota was hit with a Major Blizzard, bringing much of the state to a complete halt. Heavy snowfall (as much as 2 feet in some areas), and winds to 65 MPH, resulted in widespread impacts. This included 100,000 head of cattle killed (10% of the state herd), widespread power outages, and stranded numerous motorists. Damages totaled just under 45 million dollars. The additional snow at Bismarck (17.5 inches), brought the season snowfall total to 101.4 inches. This set an all-time seasonal snowfall record for Bismarck, which still stands today. 

'''[https://www.weather.gov/fgf/blizzardof66 Blizzard of March 2-5, 1966]''' One of the most severe blizzards on record to impact the Northern Plains occurred 50 years ago between March 2-5 of 1966.  The blizzard was particularly memorable for its long duration, as well as for its very heavy snowfall totals of  20 to 30 inches in some locations and wind gusts exceeding 70 mph at times.  Snowfall totals reached as high as 38 inches, with drifts 30 to 40 feet high in some locations. 

[https://www.kvrr.com/2016/11/10/never-ending-snow-the-record-smashing-snowfall-of-96-97/ '''1996-1997 Record Snowfall''']    Back in December of ’96, we had four days that it didn’t snow,”  By the end of the November , just over 26 inches of snow had fallen in Fargo. Two Major storms in Nov.  By the end of the December, another 20 inches of snow had fallen, pushing the season total to over 46 inches. One official blizzard in Dec. Keith Malakowsky:  “Back in December of ’96, we had four days that it didn’t snow,” Three official blizzards in January. By the end of January the season’s total was just over 75 inches. February ended with season total of  83.4 inches falling in total. March had a blizzard and couple heavy snows.  At the end of March, nearly 110 inches had fallen. April blizzard and when the last flake had fallen, the total snowfall in Fargo was 117 inches for the year.  

'''Winter of 1935-1936 and [[1936 North American cold wave|1936  Cold Wave]]'''  The meteorological winter (December through February) of 1935/36 was the coldest on record for North Dakota.  February 1936 was the coldest February on record in the contiguous U.S., narrowly eclipsing [[Great Blizzard of 1899|February 1899]].  It also was the coldest month ever in North Dakota.  

'''[https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/North-Americas-Most-Intense-Heat-Wave-July-and-August-1936 1936 Heat Wave]'''  The climatological summer June-August of 1936 remains the warmest nationwide on record since 1895 with an average temperature of 74.0°F. The second warmest summer was that of 2012 with an average of 73.7°F. North Dakota set its all time record high of 121 Steele July 6. Bismarck recorded a low of just 83°F on July 11.  

'''[https://www.weather.gov/media/bis/sd1996February.pdfp Cold Wave of 1996]'''  Dangerously cold weather once again hit North Dakota. The town of Rolette(Rolette Co.) in north central North Dakota reported a morning low of 53 below. Many places reported lows from 35 to 45 below. Fargo tied its record low of 39 below . The temperature at Fargo remained at or below zero for 11 straight days(1/23/96-2/3/96).  This ties the second longest subzero period, previously set in 1899. Daytime highs fared no better, as Bismarck reached a high of 26 below. Northwest winds up to 30 mph created wind chills to 100 below.   

[https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/ndsco/ndsco/summary/2019/feb19.pdf '''February 2019'''] The official state average February temperature was {{convert|&minus;2.9|F|C|1|disp=or}}. 2019 was the second coldest  February in the 125-year period of record, and the coldest since 1936.

'''[https://www.weather.gov/bis/ndtorhistory North Dakota Severe Weather History]''' this link includes the number of tornadoes by county 1950-2021. Severity of tornadoes by county 1950-2021. Strength of non tornadic winds by county. Largest hail size reported by county. Number of tornadoes by year from 2011-2021 by county.

==See also==
* [[Meteorology]]
* [[Weather lore]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crh/ National Weather Service – Central Region Headquarters]
* [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html National Climatic Data Center]

{{ClimateUS}}
{{North Dakota|state=closed}}

[[Category:Climate of North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:Climate of the United States by state|North Dakota]]