The best times to visit Western North Dakota for ideal weather are
May 21st to September 30th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Western North Dakota Travel Guide
Other Western North Dakota Travel Info
Weather in Western North Dakota
Temperature
Average temperatures in Western North Dakota vary an incredible amount. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 43rd percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Western North Dakota, the hottest months are August, July, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid August where highs are regularly around 87.5°F (30.8°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 55.1°F (12.8°C) at night.
Western North Dakota Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Western North Dakota Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Western North Dakota Perceived Temperature (F)
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Western North Dakota Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Western North Dakota Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 16.1 | 6.2 |
| Feb | 25.2 | 13.7 | 3.5 |
| Mar | 40.9 | 27.4 | 16.8 |
| Apr | 51.6 | 37.4 | 26 |
| May | 67.9 | 53.7 | 39.4 |
| Jun | 78.4 | 64 | 50 |
| Jul | 80.4 | 65.8 | 51.3 |
| Aug | 82.7 | 67.3 | 52.5 |
| Sep | 76.3 | 58.7 | 43.7 |
| Oct | 57.3 | 43 | 31.9 |
| Nov | 37.2 | 26 | 16.2 |
| Dec | 24.9 | 15.3 | 6.3 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -3.3 | -8.8 | -14.3 |
| Feb | -3.8 | -10.2 | -15.8 |
| Mar | 4.9 | -2.6 | -8.4 |
| Apr | 10.9 | 3 | -3.3 |
| May | 19.9 | 12.1 | 4.1 |
| Jun | 25.8 | 17.8 | 10 |
| Jul | 26.9 | 18.8 | 10.7 |
| Aug | 28.2 | 19.6 | 11.4 |
| Sep | 24.6 | 14.8 | 6.5 |
| Oct | 14.1 | 6.1 | -0.1 |
| Nov | 2.9 | -3.3 | -8.8 |
| Dec | -3.9 | -9.3 | -14.3 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Western North Dakota are February, November, and then April. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late May to early June with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of May 28th.
When can you find snow in Western North Dakota? Weather stations report large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around April, especially close to early April. The best time to ski (if at all) in Western North Dakota is often around around April 2nd when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Western North Dakota.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Western North Dakota (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3% | 0 | 0.5 |
| Feb | 0% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Mar | 3% | 0 | 0.6 |
| Apr | 2% | 15 | 0.4 |
| May | 17% | 0 | 2.8 |
| Jun | 21% | 0 | 5.1 |
| Jul | 17% | 0 | 2.1 |
| Aug | 17% | 0 | 2.7 |
| Sep | 10% | 0 | 1.5 |
| Oct | 13% | 0 | 1.8 |
| Nov | 0% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Dec | 3% | 0 | 0.2 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3 | 0 | 1.3 |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Mar | 3 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Apr | 2 | 38.1 | 1 |
| May | 17 | 0 | 7.1 |
| Jun | 21 | 0 | 13 |
| Jul | 17 | 0 | 5.3 |
| Aug | 17 | 0 | 6.9 |
| Sep | 10 | 0 | 3.8 |
| Oct | 13 | 0 | 4.6 |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Dec | 3 | 0 | 0.5 |
Humidity and Wind
Western North Dakota has some very humid months, with other moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is May (49% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (77.4%).
Wind in Western North Dakota is usually moderate. The windiest month is May, followed by April and March. May’s average wind speed of around 10 knots (11.5 MPH or 18.5 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid May where average top sustained speeds reach 21.5 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Western North Dakota.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 8.7 | Gentle breeze | 16.2 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 15.1 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 8.9 | Gentle breeze | 17 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 9.6 | Gentle breeze | 17.7 | Strong breeze |
| May | 10 | Gentle breeze | 18.3 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 7.8 | Gentle breeze | 16.4 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 7.2 | Gentle breeze | 15.1 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 6.7 | Light breeze | 13.5 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 7.6 | Gentle breeze | 15.6 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 8.8 | Gentle breeze | 16.9 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 8.8 | Gentle breeze | 15.9 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 7.3 | Gentle breeze | 13.2 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 73.9% |
| Feb | 75% |
| Mar | 69.6% |
| Apr | 57.3% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 62.4% |
| Jul | 65.4% |
| Aug | 58.4% |
| Sep | 51% |
| Oct | 63.8% |
| Nov | 72.1% |
| Dec | 77.4% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Western North Dakota?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Western North Dakota, ND, US is August, followed by July and April. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Western North Dakota in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Western North Dakota Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 75.6°F (24.2°C) and 28.8°F (-1.8°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 5 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 5 to 6 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Western North Dakota, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 79.5°F (26.4°C) and 25.4°F (-3.7°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 0 to 4 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Western North Dakota to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 31.6°F (-0.2°C) and 17°F (-8.3°C). On average, it rains or snows a very small amount: 0 to 1 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United States › Western North Dakota, ND, US