Moving To Bismarck, North Dakota? Here Is What the Weather Will Bring

There is a 125 degree difference between summer and winter here in Bismarck, North Dakota! There’s good and bad with our weather, but if you adore changing seasons and sunsets…. you will be right at home! Our expansive beautiful skies, have a dark side however, they can bring treacherous weather events. Checking the forecast is a daily must if you plan outdoor activities or travel, even in the summer. It’s not fun to get caught in a hailstorm or 70 mph winds. (Trust me on that one.) Weather does’t stop North Dakotans though! The outdoors are part of life here …so here are the basics so you can prepare:

SPRING

Spring is flaky but wonderful. After a long winter you will see folks outside in shorts when it’s 45 degrees! Everyone is excited to get outside after the long winter. Dress in layers though…a warm 60 degree day could be followed by freezing temps later that night. Don’t be faked out and plant young seedlings too early! April does bring thunderstorms and rain, sometimes falling on snowbanks but the green grass and fields wont be far behind! Watch out for icy roads and keep that windshield scraper handy for the cold nights.

SUMMER

Summer is wonderful! The days are warm and the nights cool and dry. If you are moving from the South or east coast…even Minnesota…you will notice the lack of humidity immediately! My first summer I was astonished at how little I had to run my central air!  Plus my hair was not nearly as frizzy! There is usually a breeze and at times high winds. Actually, at least a few days a week will have wind which is a buzz kill for outdoor activities. There are usually a quite a few days over 100 especially in July but they make for awesome days on the Missouri River or at Hillside Pool.

FALL

Fall is beautiful in North Dakota. The fields are golden and the wheat and barley waves seductively in the wind. Make sure to take advantage of the last warm days by boating, Without rain or snow your eyes might get itchy as the fall hardest kicks up dust and pollen. Usually there is enough rain to keep it in check. In Bismarck, fall is a time to prep the yard and garage for winter but also make the most of the last warm days. The river and nearby trails are busy and bonfire smoke fills the air in the evenings. Flashes of orange are common as the hunters head out for the weekend. Grab that windshield scraper again, as cool nights will bring frost.

WINTER

There is no way to sugarcoat it, winter in North Dakota can be brutal. Snow, wind, blizzards, road closures, and below zero temperatures are part of life. Snow typically arrives in late October or early December and might disappear by April or mid March during a short winter. There might even be snow in May! Temperatures can range from low 30’s to -15 for the highs and worse for overnight lows. The worst days are when the wind blows and ads a layer of wind chill which can and will freeze your skin in minutes. The wind also fills in driveways, roads and sidewalks so snow removal seems to be a daily task. The City of Bismarck is pretty understanding with snow removal and neighbors rally if someone needs help. If you will be outside for an extended amount of time it is absolutely necessary to dress appropriately.  It helps to have a remote car starter too…read my other tips here.

If you are brave enough to weather the weather in North Dakota reach out today. I’m here to help you make the move.

This is an example of a ‘warm’ winter day. The snow was wet and melting when int hit me..so that is why decided to wear my raincoat…over my winer jacket. LOL