Grafton has cold winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to -2°.
A year in Grafton at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Grafton’s climate
Read from where Grafton sits among North Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Living with Grafton’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
156 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 4 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 7.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 94% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 10 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 14 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Grafton averaged 1.6° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.4°).
A bigger shift than in 73% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
About 156 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 4 and the first by October 7.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Grafton feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Rain and snow in Grafton
June is the wettest month and February the driest.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
No snow records from a nearby station.
Grafton and its neighbors
Farmington has the coldest January nights next door (-3°) and Grafton the hottest July afternoons (81°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Grafton compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in North Dakota.
Grafton weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14° | -2° | 0.6" | -8° – 22° |
| February | 20° | 2° | 0.5" | -1° – 25° |
| March | 34° | 16° | 0.8" | 14° – 38° |
| April | 52° | 30° | 1.1" | 31° – 50° |
| May | 67° | 43° | 2.9" | 48° – 62° |
| June | 77° | 54° | 3.8" | 61° – 70° |
| July | 81° | 58° | 3.4" | 62° – 74° |
| August | 80° | 56° | 2.5" | 60° – 71° |
| September | 70° | 47° | 2.3" | 53° – 65° |
| October | 54° | 34° | 1.7" | 34° – 49° |
| November | 35° | 19° | 0.8" | 14° – 40° |
| December | 20° | 5° | 0.7" | -2° – 25° |
| Year | 50° | 30° | 21.0" |
Heating and cooling a home in Grafton
94% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -8° to 22°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Grafton’s climate
What is the coldest month in Grafton?
January, with a typical high of 14° and a low of -2°.
What is the hottest month in Grafton?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 58°. About 10 days a year reach 90°.
When is the first frost in Grafton?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 7, and the last spring frost by May 4.
What is the rainiest month in Grafton?
June, with 3.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 21 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Grafton.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Grafton itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Grafton, ND (2 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.