Winter in North Dakota is known to be a harsh season, but residents have unique ways of enduring the bitter cold and snow. Most are well-prepared to not only weather the cold days; even more so, many truly enjoy them! But visitors or newcomers to the Peace Garden State might be curious to know what to expect about winter in North Dakota before they make the chilly trek, so following is a list of 10 things to prepare you for the experience:

1. Winter will come and go without warning.
Amber Lien/Flickr
If you think winter has officially arrived when the temperature dips well below freezing and snow is falling, then you may be in for a surprise. The next day, temperatures could seesaw from bitter cold to mild and summer-like, and the snow may have melted completely. Aside from the predictable cold and snow, blue skies and sunny days are not uncommon during North Dakota winters.
2. It's the wind you have to worry about more than anything.
Wes Peck/Flickr
The wind often yields wind chill temperatures that can reach several degrees below zero, and it’s the wind that causes incredible snowdrifts that can cover houses. Not only that, but windy conditions during heavy snowfall can cause whiteout conditions that lead to interstate closures and reduce visibility to zero.
3. The days when the sky is crystal clear are usually the coldest.
Krista Lundgren/USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
If you wake up one winter morning and find that the sky has nary a cloud in sight, it is probably going to be a cold one. This is because clouds typically trap solar heat at the surface; without clouds to trap in the heat, and with a low sun angle leading to decreased heating overall, these factors result in some very cold days.
4. And if you see a "sundog," bundle up as much as you can.
Rick Bohn/USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
A sundog is a natural light phenomenon that many people mistake for lens flare in photographs. This circular visual spectacle around the sun will appear on extremely cold days. What causes this atmospheric effect is sunlight that refracts through ice crystals in the air – that’s one way you know it’s cold!
5. Never say the words "I think winter is finally over," because you are almost sure to jinx it.
Darla Hueske/Flickr
Just when you think it's finally warmed up and late enough in the year that spring must finally be here, it snows again. It doesn't matter if it's May. Welcome to visiting or living in North Dakota!

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6. Whether or not a car has an automatic start will become a big deciding factor in your next car purchase or upgrade.
Sam DeLong/Flickr
Automatic start capabilities are a blessing during frigid North Dakota winters, especially if you park your car outside overnight. Even during the day, a cold car that’s been sitting there for a few hours will feel like an ice box when you climb in. An automatically starting vehicle may be the greatest investment you can make if you live in North Dakota.
7. Just because an entire foot of snow falls in a single night, doesn't mean no one has to go to work or school the next day.
Jordan Green/Flickr
Maybe other states shut down when just a single inch of snow falls, but if you're hoping that North Dakota operates the same way, you're going to be disappointed. It takes quite nasty conditions for counties to decide against travel and close schools and businesses. But North Dakotans are prepared to handle it, even if kids are disappointed over having to miss out on the snow days.
8. If you don't have a snowblower to combat all the snow in front of your house, your neighbor will probably be more than happy to lend you theirs - or even do it for you.
Jesse Thorstad/Flickr
North Dakotans are often some of the nicest people around when it comes to being a community. Oftentimes, people have seen or experienced neighbors and friends helping each other out during the worst of times in winter. If not, you’ll likely be able to pay a neighborhood kid to shovel your driveway for you. Neighborhood snow plows are common, and people commonly have the equipment necessary to help clear the streets quickly after it snows.
9. Just because it's winter doesn't mean North Dakotans stop having fun in the outdoors.
Dave/Flickr
Ice fishing and snowmobiling are popular winter activities in North Dakota. In fact, many people look forward to the snowy, chilly winters. It may be freezing enough outside to keep out-of-staters indoors, but the locals know that there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had in North Dakota in winter.
10. Even though North Dakota is known for its bleak, long winters, to survive them it helps to appreciate how beautiful they can be as well.
Darla Hueske/Flickr
North Dakota is stereotyped to be an endless winter wasteland. But not only is this an oversight of the perks of living there in the winter, but the locals seem to feel quite the opposite; in fact, they love North Dakota winters. You just might be surprised to discover how the state transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland, as well as how beautiful the snowy landscapes become, especially when the sun glistens off them in the morning and evening hours.

What other things do you think people should know about surviving winter in North Dakota? Please share your tips with readers in the comments below.

If you’re looking for more winter inspiration, you might enjoy reading about 11 times snow transformed North Dakota’s landscape into a breathtaking winter wonderland.

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More to Explore

Winter In North Dakota

Jessica Moore | November 18, 2022

What are the best winter activities in North Dakota?

The best winter activities in North Dakota include the following:

 

These are just a selection of the most exciting winter activities that are sure to keep your blood pumping and your senses invigorated during the cold season. And during the worst of winter weather conditions, when the wind and cold are a bit too much for even the hardiest North Dakotans, just cozy up by the fire with some hot cocoa and a good book, and you'll find the winter months aren't quite as bad as they seem.

What are the best places to visit in North Dakota in the winter?

The best places to visit in North Dakota in the winter are locations that might take you by surprise with their beauty. A list of these locations follows:

 

You're certain to find that all of these locations are breathtaking winter wonderlands, and several of them offer additional recreational activities such as cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and more.

Where are the best snow tubing hills in North Dakota?

The best snow-tubing hills in North Dakota can be found at Bottineau Winter Park in the Turtle Mountains, where you can also ski and snowboard. Another ski area that also offers snow tubing in addition to 16 ski runs is Huff Hills Ski Area near the town of Mandan. Frost Fire Park in the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area also has areas where you can snow tube, all near the town of Walhalla. Several of these places even offer season passes, so you and your family can come back all winter long for snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and more!

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