Kern has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 6°, and about 51 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Kern at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Kern’s climate
Read from where Kern sits among North Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Kern feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 129 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 16 and the first by September 25.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
51 inches of snow, 17 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 77 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Kern averaged 1.5° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+4.4°).
A bigger shift than in 72% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
Living with Kern’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
129 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 16 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 25.
About 51" a winter over 18 days with an inch or more, most in March. Snow covers the ground about 88 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 30 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 45 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 →Kern and its neighbors
Merrill has the coldest January nights next door (5°) and Merrill the hottest July afternoons (84°). 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 Kern compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in North Dakota.
Kern weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 6° | 0.3" | 6.8" | 4 | 24 | 6° – 29° |
| February | 30° | 9° | 0.4" | 8.4" | 5 | 19 | -1° – 31° |
| March | 42° | 19° | 0.7" | 9.0" | 6 | 13 | 18° – 44° |
| April | 55° | 29° | 1.5" | 6.4" | 7 | 4 | 35° – 49° |
| May | 66° | 40° | 2.6" | 1.6" | 9 | 0 | 48° – 59° |
| June | 76° | 50° | 3.0" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 59° – 68° |
| July | 84° | 56° | 2.5" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 62° – 76° |
| August | 83° | 54° | 1.8" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 63° – 74° |
| September | 73° | 44° | 1.4" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 52° – 64° |
| October | 57° | 31° | 1.4" | 4.1" | 6 | 2 | 36° – 49° |
| November | 41° | 19° | 0.6" | 7.3" | 4 | 9 | 17° – 40° |
| December | 30° | 9° | 0.4" | 7.6" | 5 | 17 | 7° – 27° |
| Year | 55° | 30° | 16.5" | 51.2" | 77 | 88 |
Heating and cooling a home in Kern
95% 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. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -1° to 31°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Kern’s climate
What is the coldest month in Kern?
January, with a typical high of 26° and a low of 6°.
What is the hottest month in Kern?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 56°. About 30 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Kern get?
About 51 inches in a normal winter, most of it in March.
When is the first frost in Kern?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 25, and the last spring frost by May 16.
What is the rainiest month in Kern?
June, with 3.0 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 17 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Kern.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Kern itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Pretty Rock, ND (22 mi, snow) and Mott, ND (10 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.