North Dakota is not known to many, but it is known for the cold. Temperatures in this state are terribly cold during the winter, and many continental records are held by cities in the state. Today we are going to take a look at North Dakota in order to learn more about the coldest place in it. For anyone from the Peace Garden State, none of this will likely come as a surprise. Let’s find out the coldest place in North Dakota, as well as some other interesting weather facts!
The coldest place in North Dakota
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Before you begin, it’s important to understand that the “coldest” place in a state can be measured in several ways. There is the lowest average temperature method and the lowest temperature method ever recorded, both of which are valid. Since North Dakota is so notorious for these two records, we’ll cover them separately. Let’s find out the place (city of at least 1,000 people) in North Dakota with the coldest average temperature first.
Grand Forks, located in North Dakota, is the coldest city in the state and the second coldest in the United States. The city has recorded temperatures as low as -43 degrees Fahrenheit, and the minimum average temperature during the coldest month is -3.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these freezing temperatures, Grand Forks is a popular city, with a population of 59,166 according to the 2020 census.
Grand Forks isn’t North Dakota’s only cold city. Williston, Fargo, and Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota, are also known for their cold temperatures and rank as the 3rd, 4th, and 8th coldest cities in the United States, respectively. These cities, like Grand Forks, experience extremely cold temperatures due to their location in the northern part of the country and the influence of cold air masses descending from the Arctic.
If you’re looking to experience some of the coldest temperatures in the United States, a visit to Grand Forks or one of the other cold towns in North Dakota is a must!
Coldest temperature ever recorded in North Dakota
North Dakota is often considered the coldest state in the United States. As such, it has not just cold averages, but singular records of unmistakably freezing cold days.
The coldest temperature on record in North Dakota occurred in Parshall, a town on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in Mountrail County. On February 15, 1936, the temperature in Parshall dropped to -60 degrees Fahrenheit. This low temperature record The same year as the highest temperature on record in North Dakota, highlighting the extreme temperature swings the state can experience. Parshall, with a population of 949 according to the 2020 census, is located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara nations.
Why is North Dakota so cold?
North Dakota is known for its cold temperatures and there are several factors that contribute to this.
One of the main reasons for cold temperatures in North Dakota is the regular changes in atmospheric air masses that affect the state. Cold, dry air masses from the polar region bring freezing temperatures to North Dakota, while warmer, drier air masses from the northern Pacific bring more moderate temperatures. Tropical air masses, on the other hand, bring hot and humid weather to the state.
Another contributing factor to North Dakota’s cold temperatures is the Rocky Mountains, which prevent air masses from the southern Pacific Ocean from reaching the state. This can result in colder temperatures in North Dakota, as the state is not influenced by the moderating effects of the ocean.
Can any animal survive the winter in North Dakota?
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If there’s one animal the Great Plains of the northern states are known for, it’s the bison!
Bison are able to survive the extreme cold of the Northern Great Plains by staying in their natural habitat, even when temperatures drop well below freezing and freezing winds sweep across the landscape. They are able to eat by feeding on hard grasses and sedges all year round. When blizzards blanket the plains with snow, bison use their heads to plow through snowdrifts and reach the grasses below. They are also able to survive the cold thanks to a winter coat of underfur with coarse guard hairs. The hair protects and insulates them from the elements and allows them to withstand extremely low temperatures and strong winds. If you ever see a bison covered in snow, that’s insulation in action!
Some sources even claim that bison start Get cold until temperatures reach -40 degrees!
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