Planning to spend Christmas in North Dakota? Well, brace yourself for cold days, long nights, and a strong chance of snow on the ground. Average highs in late December usually sit in the low 20s to around 30°F, and lows often drop into the single digits.
You’ll want to dress for freezing conditions whether you’re heading to a family gathering, exploring small towns, or just enjoying the outdoors.
Snow shows up regularly during the holiday season here. The dry air, strong winds, and wide-open plains make the cold feel even sharper.
Blizzards can pop up and mess with your travel plans in a hurry. But the snowy landscapes? They really do create that classic winter scene you might picture when you think about Christmas on the northern plains.
Your experience depends a lot on where you are in the state. Eastern places like Fargo usually run colder, while western towns such as Dickinson and Medora can feel a touch milder.
No matter where you go, Christmas weather in North Dakota brings a real winter climate, with both challenges and memorable moments.
Typical Christmas Weather in North Dakota
You’ll find very cold temperatures, frequent snow cover, and limited daylight during the Christmas season. Conditions shift a bit across the state, but it’s always wintry.
Average Temperatures in December
December lands right in the heart of North Dakota’s coldest months. Highs usually stick in the 20s °F, and lows often dip into the single digits.
In Celsius, that’s about -7°C to -15°C for most towns.
Eastern cities like Fargo and Grand Forks average highs near 22–24°F and lows around 5–8°F. Central spots such as Bismarck and Minot are a little milder, with highs closer to 27–28°F.
Western places like Dickinson and Williston often see highs near 30°F, but nights still drop into the single digits.
When Arctic air masses push south, the cold feels even sharper. Wind chills often fall below zero, so if you’re outside, you’ll want layers, good boots, and something to cover your face.
Snowfall Patterns During the Holidays
Snow is just part of December in North Dakota, and by Christmas, most areas already have a solid snowpack. The state averages about 8 to 12 inches of snowfall during the month, depending on where you are.
Eastern North Dakota gets more frequent light snow, while the west sees drier but sometimes heavier bursts tied to storms.
Snow depth around Christmas often ranges from 6 to 15 inches. This slows travel but gives you reliable snow for winter activities.
Blizzards happen when strong winds whip up fresh snow. They’re not guaranteed every year, but if you’re driving across open plains, be ready for drifting snow and low visibility.
Daylight Hours Around Christmas
Christmas brings some of the shortest days of the year in North Dakota. You’ll get about 8 hours of daylight, with sunrise near 8:15 a.m. and sunset around 4:45 p.m. in central areas.
The northeast gets a bit less daylight, while the southwest gains a few extra minutes. Twilight doesn’t last long, so evenings set in quickly.
With so little daylight, you’ll need to plan outdoor activities carefully. Some people like the long nights for cozy indoor gatherings, but the short days mean you’ve got to squeeze in winter sports or travel.
Precipitation Trends in December
December delivers light precipitation compared to other months, and nearly all of it falls as snow. Rain almost never happens, and moisture amounts vary, with some places getting less than half an inch and others close to an inch.
Chances of Snow and Rain
Most December precipitation comes as snow since temperatures stay well below freezing. Rain is rare, but sometimes you might see a quick mix of sleet or freezing drizzle during milder spells.
Snowfall chances rise in the eastern and northern parts, where storm systems bring more moisture. Cities like Fargo or Grand Forks see about 8–10 days with measurable precipitation in December.
Western towns such as Dickinson or Medora average closer to 5–6 days.
Light snow happens more often than heavy storms. Many days bring just a dusting or less than an inch.
Still, you should be ready for the occasional bigger snowfall, especially if a strong system sweeps through.
Monthly Precipitation Totals
Average December precipitation totals stay modest across North Dakota. Most spots record 0.5 to 1.0 inch of combined rainfall and melted snow for the month.
That includes both liquid precipitation and the water content from snowfall.
For example:
| Location | Avg. Precipitation (inches) | Days with Precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 0.9 | 10 |
| Bismarck | 0.6 | 8 |
| Minot | 0.3 | 6 |
| Williston | 0.6 | 9 |
These totals show precipitation comes in many light events rather than a few big storms. Expect dry stretches between snowfalls, which is just how winters go here.
Regional Variations Across North Dakota
Christmas conditions change depending on where you are in the state. Temperatures, snowfall, and even daylight can feel different between eastern cities like Fargo and western areas near Williston.
If you’re traveling, visiting family, or spending time outside during the holidays, these differences matter.
Weather in Fargo During Christmas
Fargo, in eastern North Dakota, usually sees some of the coldest holiday weather in the state. Average highs in late December hover near 23°F, and lows drop to around 9°F.
Wind chills can make it feel much colder, especially when northwesterly winds pick up.
Snow cover sticks around by Christmas. Fargo averages about 2.9 inches of snowfall in December, with total snow on the ground often deeper thanks to earlier storms.
Roads might be icy, and travel conditions can change fast after snow.
Daylight is short, with only about 8.6 hours of sun on December days. That really adds to the long winter nights, so plan activities with limited daylight in mind.
Clear skies happen about 41% of the time, but clouds and overcast days are more common.
Eastern vs. Western North Dakota Conditions
Eastern North Dakota, including Fargo, runs colder and snowier than the west. Western areas like Williston get slightly milder averages, with December highs near 25°F and lows around 8°F.
Snowfall is lower too, averaging 1.8 inches for the month.
The west sees fewer days with measurable precipitation, so things are a bit drier. Winds blow steadily across both regions, often ranging between 11–12 mph.
That wind makes temperatures feel even colder everywhere.
Daylight is pretty similar across the state, but western spots might get a few extra minutes. If you’re crossing the state for Christmas, expect colder, snowier weather in the east and slightly warmer, drier conditions in the west.
Cloud Cover and Visibility
In late December, cloudy skies show up a lot across North Dakota, but you might catch stretches of clearer weather. Visibility can change in a hurry, especially when snow or wind gets involved, so it’s something to watch if you’re planning to be outside or travel.
Likelihood of Clear or Cloudy Skies
Around Christmas, you’ll see more clouds than clear skies. In Fargo, for example, skies are clear or mostly clear only about 40% of the time in December, and Williston shows similar numbers.
Most days end up cloudy or overcast.
Cloud cover often goes hand-in-hand with snowfall. Fargo averages nearly 3 inches of snow in December, which adds to the run of gray skies.
These cloudy spells can last for days, especially when cold air masses settle in.
Even on cloudy days, you might get a break of sun, but it usually doesn’t last. If you want clearer skies, try early mornings after a cold front moves through, since that’s when drier, clearer air comes in.
Impact on Holiday Travel
Cloud cover itself usually doesn’t stop travel, but it often comes with other issues. Low clouds can reduce visibility, especially when light or blowing snow gets involved.
That’s common on open highways, where winds push snow across the road.
Air travel sometimes slows down too. Low ceilings and poor visibility can delay flights at airports in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot.
Major shutdowns don’t happen often, but expect slower operations when snow bands and low clouds show up together.
For driving, visibility can drop fast in rural areas. Blowing snow causes more trouble than steady snowfall since it can create whiteout conditions even when there’s no new snow falling.
If you’re traveling, give yourself extra time and check road reports before you go.
Wind and Blizzards in Late December
Late December in North Dakota often brings strong winds and a real risk of blizzards. These conditions shape how you travel, spend time outdoors, and get ready for winter.
Typical Wind Speeds
Winds across North Dakota in late December blow steady and often strong. Average speeds range from 10 to 20 mph, but gusts can top 30 mph during storms.
The open plains and flat terrain let the wind move freely, making it feel colder than the thermometer says.
You’ll see wind chill values well below zero. For example, when it’s 10°F and the wind is 20 mph, the wind chill drops to about -9°F.
That ups the risk of frostbite and makes outdoor activities tougher.
Western areas tend to be windier since there aren’t many natural windbreaks. The Red River Valley in the east also gets strong gusts funneled by the flat land.
You’ll want to plan your clothing and travel around the wind, since it rarely calms down for long.
Blizzard Frequency and Impact
North Dakota gets 2 to 3 blizzards per winter season, and December often brings the first big ones. Some years bring more, like the 2021–2022 season when the state saw 12 blizzards, which set a record.
A blizzard means 35 mph winds or higher, plus falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility to less than a quarter mile for at least three hours.
These conditions can shut down highways, close schools, and delay flights.
Travel gets dangerous fast during a blizzard. Even short drives can turn risky when snow drifts cover roads and you can barely see.
Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle, like blankets, water, and a charged phone, in case you get stranded.
Blizzards can also knock out power and cause livestock losses in rural areas. Preparing with backup heat sources and food storage helps you ride out these storms.
Seasonal Climate Context
Christmas in North Dakota lands right in the coldest stretch of the year. Snow cover, short daylight hours, and freezing temperatures shape daily life.
The holiday falls within a season marked by long winters, big temperature swings, and frequent snow events.
How Christmas Weather Compares to Other Winter Months
By late December, places like Fargo and Williston usually see average highs between -5°C and -7°C (23°F to 19°F). Lows often drop below -13°C (9°F), so Christmas really stands out as one of the coldest times of the year.
Snowfall? Yeah, it shows up a lot. Fargo gets about 73 mm (2.9 in) of snow in December, which actually beats February but looks a lot like January.
Snow depth builds up as December goes on, so you’ll probably get a classic white holiday season.
Daylight barely sticks around, with just 8–9 hours of sun on average. That’s the shortest stretch all year and it really helps keep things cold, with frost and ice hanging around longer.
If you compare it to November, you’ll feel colder air, see more snow, and spot fewer clear days. January doesn’t let up either, since deeper snow and those relentless subzero nights make it feel even harsher.
Long-Term Climate Patterns in North Dakota
North Dakota’s climate really shows off that continental pattern—long, dry, cold winters, and then summers that swing to warm or even hot. Around Christmas, you’ll notice this continental vibe at its peak, with sharp cold snaps and those quick, unpredictable weather shifts.
If you look at historical records, you’ll see December temperatures have actually warmed a bit over the last hundred years. The month still feels reliably cold, though.
Average December temperatures used to sit closer to -17°C (1°F). Now, they trend just a little higher, but honestly, it’s still chilly.
The state sits up in the Upper Midwest, so Arctic air from Canada sweeps down and takes over in winter. These Canadian systems often bring those sudden, sharp drops in temperature.
Snowfall? That depends a lot on where you are. The east side usually gets more snow, while the west stays a bit drier.
Wind can’t be ignored either. Average December wind speeds hit around 18 kph (11 mph), which means the wind chill can make things feel even colder than what the thermometer says.
This pattern really shapes how Christmas weather feels here, year after year.